Those of you who’ve lived in NYC a while know many of our city’s apartments operate their heating systems by oil, proving how old many of these buildings are. Recently, NYC announced a phasing out of heavy heating oils because of the pollution they were creating. Now, NYC oil to gas conversion factors are something every home or business owner should revisit.
Part of this elimination started in 2011 with NYC prohibiting the use of heating oils No. 4 and No. 6, which were known to emanate particulate matter at dangerous levels. NYC gave people until 2015 to eliminate oil No. 6 from heating use. No. 4 will be phased out by 2030. If you’re switching to gas due to these new requirements, what factors should you consider for the transition?
Set-Up Could be Costly
The transition from oil to gas can sometimes be jarring in the budgetary aspects. While using gas over time will help you save money, the initial investment could run into the five figures. Costs can range anywhere from $12,500 to $18,000, but it all comes down to what’s needed to make the transition complete. For instance, if you need a new gas line, it’s going to add to the expense. So does the installation of a chimney lining, updating your appliances, plus removing an old oil tank.
Here in NYC, this might seem like it could disrupt things if you’re running a business or apartment. Overall, the time and investment will be worth it when you project the costs into the future. All transitions for heating can take time. When you find something more budget-friendly like gas heating, time helps tell a different story on the expenses paid.-*
Gas is Cheaper Than Oil
We all know how the price of oil fluctuates wildly depending on the economy and unrest in oil-rich countries. No doubt you’ve grown tired of having to pay more than you can afford to keep your home, business, or apartment tenants warm during the winter. In “Oil vs. Natural Gas for Home Heating: Which Costs More?“, Scientific American points out the scientific reasons why gas is a better choice for heating fuel than oil. It all comes down to the cost of the heating material, of course, plus competitive equipment.
Did you know gas heaters are also more efficient than oil heaters? On an environmental level, gas also makes sense. Gas won’t emanate dangerous emissions in the same way oil does. You could receive local tax incentives as well in making the switch. Check nycleanheat.org to find out what some of those benefits are, depending on your living situation.
ROI on Natural Gas Will Take a Few Years
If you own a home or business, switching to gas will make sense financially over time. It often takes up to three to five years to see a substantial ROI. Always calculate how long you plan to stay in your home if you want this to pay off in the best possible way. Those of you preparing to leave home after a few years may want to consider another option.
When you add in rebates to the overall ROI of gas, you’ll ultimately see savings earlier than three years. Along with the tax incentives, don’t think the 3-5 year calculation is a standard for everyone.
Reliable Source During Storms
With more natural disasters hitting New York (and across the country), natural gas distribution systems are always reliable during these crises. During Hurricane Sandy, this was a significant lesson learned by those who stuck with gas rather than oil. During a disaster, delivery of oil is usually impossible, so you see the risk of using oil continually. Because the price of oil will likely go up as well, you can count on natural gas’s prices to trend down.
Contact Aladdin Plumbing to learn more about an NYC oil to gas conversion for your NYC home, apartment, or business to natural gas heating this winter.