Should I Convert My Oil Boiler to a Gas or Electric Furnace?

If you want to increase your home’s efficiency while saving money on energy costs, a furnace conversion may be the right solution for you. Switching from an oil boiler to a gas or electric furnace can result in significant savings, reducing your carbon footprint, and meeting all Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating requirements.

In addition, this investment pays itself off over time through lower energy bills, but it has been found that converting some older chimney-vented boilers to high-efficiency models can reduce annual operating costs by more than 25%.

Aire Serv of Wilmington can help you easily convert from an oil boiler to a gas or electric furnace and learn more about the benefits for your entire household in Claymont, Hockessin, Montchanin, Rockland, or Yorkland.

Understand the AFUE Rating Requirement for ENERGY STAR® Certification

AFUE rating requirement is pivotal for achieving ENERGY STAR® certification. The minimum required AFUE rating for boilers is 87% (but at least 85%), meaning that 87% of fuel energy is consumed to heat the building while 15% is lost. This means that boilers with lower ratings are more wasteful and could cost you unnecessary money, so it’s important to consider converting your oil boiler to a gas or electric furnace for maximum efficiency. Not only will this help reduce energy waste and increase your savings, but it can also improve indoor air quality.

Consider Your Current and Long-Term Energy Needs When Deciding on a Fuel Source

If you're deciding what type of fuel source to use for your home heating system, it's important to consider both your short- and long-term energy goals. Converting from an oil boiler to a gas or electric furnace offers several advantages that can go beyond lower upfront costs. It can result in greater savings on monthly utility bills and higher system efficiency. Making the most cost-effective decision now ensures that your home heating system will continue to meet your current and future financial needs.

Calculate the Cost of Conversion to Determine if it is Worth It

Making the switch from an oil boiler to a gas or electric furnace can help you save on energy costs, bring your home up to today’s energy standards, and improve the air quality inside your home. When considering if this conversion is financially worthwhile, you should weigh the installation costs and the cost of maintenance and operation over time. Before making any decisions, compare your budget against potential savings and long-term benefits to determine whether converting is right for you.

Learn About the Different Types of Furnaces Available and Their Efficiency Ratings

If you want to switch out your home heating system, understanding the efficiency ratings and available options can help you make an informed decision. Gas furnaces and electric heat pumps can both offer high energy efficiency ratings, and a gas furnace is often required if you are seeking ENERGY STAR® certification for your boiler. The best option for your home's specific needs may depend on several factors, such as the type of fuel that's conveniently available and the climate in which you live.

Remember that the most efficient heaters and furnaces have AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) ratings of at least 85% or more. Do research on different systems to learn more about their cost-efficiency and environmental friendliness before making a selection.

Prepare Your Home for the Conversion

Once you decide to convert to a new system from your existing boiler, you’ll need to start preparing your home. This can require various steps, including:

• Ensuring you have enough fuel to power the furnace. Depending on the fuel type, this could include natural gas or electricity.
• Inspecting and cleaning any chimneys or flues that will be used to ventilate your home. This also includes installing new exhaust pipes if necessary.
• Hiring an HVAC professional to thoroughly inspect all air ducts and filter systems to ensure they are free of dirt, dust, and other debris, which may reduce the efficiency of your heating system.
• Having a heating technician perform an annual tune-up on your furnace to ensure it operates at maximum efficiency.
• Installing carbon monoxide detectors in every room of your home to minimize the risk of gas leaks from the furnace.

Converting to a new system of any kind can be a big step, and it's important to ensure that you and your space are ready for this energy- and cost-saving change.

Have Aire Serv of Wilmington Assess Your Home’s Energy Needs

When making decisions around your home’s energy needs, it is important to have an experienced HVAC professional assess your current boiler to help you make an informed decision about converting. Our team at Aire Serv of Wilmington can help you determine if transitioning from an existing oil boiler to a gas or electric furnace would be beneficial and can provide more information on ENERGY STAR® certified boilers and the required minimum.

If you need help converting from your oil boiler to gas or electric, Aire Serv can come to the rescue! Our experienced technicians serving Claymont, Hockessin, Montchanin, Rockland, and Yorkland will work diligently with you every step to ensure you get a reliable system that meets all ENERGY STAR® certification ratings, saving you time and money in the long run.

Reach out online or call to speak with our Wilmington team today and learn more.