Switch from Propane to Natural Gas

[disneysteve]

So after some research and talking to some professional heating and cooling places. If we switched to natural gas we would need a new hot water heater. Our furnace could be converted but it is 20 years old. I figure if we replaced both including the costs from the gas company we are looking around $10k-$12. There are rebates and tax credits that add up to $1,700. I also think our savings per year could be anywhere between $1k-$2k. This includes going tank less on the water heater.

Would you guys do it?

If you’re planning on staying there, sure. You’re going to save a bunch by replacing a 20-year-old furnace. The new one will be phenomenally more efficient. The tankless hot water heater is also way more efficient.

[ua_guy]

So after some research and talking to some professional heating and cooling places. If we switched to natural gas we would need a new hot water heater. Our furnace could be converted but it is 20 years old. I figure if we replaced both including the costs from the gas company we are looking around $10k-$12. There are rebates and tax credits that add up to $1,700. I also think our savings per year could be anywhere between $1k-$2k. This includes going tank less on the water heater.

Would you guys do it?

Yeah, if it was my situation, I'd probably do it. It's also a good feature for resale. New furnace, hot water heater, hooked up to natural gas/city utilities...sounds good to a potential buyer.

[bjl584]

We just found out the natural gas is being run down the road that connects to our road. The gas company is offering to run it to our house for approximately $3,600 lump sum or $45 a month for 10 years. The calculator on the gas company website says we will save $585 a year based on the amount of propane we use and the amount we are paying this year.

What do you guys think is it worth it to switch?

A new furnace is a no brainer. A new unit would be way more efficient.
The tankless water heater, I'd do more research. They do have their issues, and you can overload it depending on how many people you have in your house. Even the best ones often can't keep up with high water demand. You may also want to consider a water filter on the incoming cold line since these units don't have the ability to hold any sediment.

[skives]

What questions should I ask the gas company before I agree to signup for service?

[kork13]

What questions should I ask the gas company before I agree to signup for service?

Ask them what energy efficiency incentives are currently available to you. Most states & utilities offer a wide variety of incentives to subsidize or cover in full the purchase and/or installation of certain energy efficiency services/devices/appliances. Most of them will be offered by the electric company, but gas companies also often offer some -- for example:
- Rebate on adding attic insulation
- Free energy analysis of your home (taking infrared photos in/out of the house to see where you're losing your heating/cooling to the outdoors)
- Rebate on installing a "smart" thermostat (in my area, they'll reimburse something like 20% of the cost, up to a limit).
Then you can decide if you'd like to go ahead with any of those. Often, the return on those upfront costs is made up within a few years, then you get to enjoy reduced energy costs going forward.