Over the last few years, many homeowners have been converting their Wilmington heating systems from oil heat to natural gas or electric. This trend was started mostly by rising oil prices, and by the belief that oil heat is less efficient. In fact, a well-maintained oil furnace can be just as efficient as its natural gas or electric counterparts. Their operating costs, however, can fluctuate greatly, depending on the cost of oil. For older homes with in-ground oil tanks, there is also concern about oil leaking and contaminating the ground.

Is Switching From an Oil Furnace Cost Effective?

The answer is yes – and no. If your furnace is relatively new and/or in good condition, switching to a newer unit won’t provide you with any noticeable savings upfront. In fact, when you factor in the cost of a new system, you may not start actually saving money for several years. However, if your furnace is old and in need of major repairs or replacement, converting to a new system may be the way to go.

Should I Choose a Natural Gas or Electric Furnace?

First you must answer a more important question: is your home already hooked up to natural gas? If so, great! If not, does your home have access to natural gas? Not all homes are located near main natural gas lines, and the gas company won’t run a main line to add one new customer. If you do have a main line running through your street, the gas company will hook up your home for a fee (which can run from $500 to $,3000). The hook-up process can also take up to eight weeks, so you need to plan accordingly.

The other thing to consider is the type of system you are converting from. If your existing system is forced-air, it is extremely easy to convert to natural gas since you already have ductwork in place. Adding a ventilation system to your home can sometimes be as costly as the new HVAC unit itself.

If your current system is baseboard heat, it may be more beneficial to choose an electric furnace. Electric heaters easily run baseboard heating system, and you do not need to install any ductwork.

Call Gold Star, Wilmington’s Heating Experts

If you’re thinking about upgrading your Wilmington heating system, Gold Star is the only number you have to call. Our certified technicians will come and give you a free estimate, as well as answer any questions or concerns you have about choosing a new system. And with our unbeatable HVAC replacement special, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. You will get a high-efficiency unit, a 10-year parts and labor warranty, and we include a maintenance plan to keep your new system running smoothly.

When it comes to your home, turn to Gold Star, the most trusted HVAC company in Wilmington. Call us today at 1-302-947-8694 to request your free estimate.