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naturalChoices

(continued from page 05) Natural Gas Electricity Propane
that use natural gas appliances for heating, water heat-
ing, cooking and clothes drying spend an average of
$880 less per year than homes using electric appli-
ances, according to the American Gas Association.
CoNsisTENT, CLEaN
aND ComForTaBLE
Using natural gas to heat a home or business of- 50% 34% 6%
fers reliability unmatched by other fuel sources. Nat-
ural gas supply pipelines are installed underground,
protecting them from the weather and accidents across the country, more than 179 million americans
above ground that lead to electrical outages. This use natural gas in their homes. about half the country
reliable heating fuel can keep a family safe in the
event of severe weather. uses natural gas for heating, while around 34% use
Natural gas also offers a healthier option for a
household; there are no emissions of sulfur dioxide electricity and another 6% use propane.
or particulate matter and far lower levels of green-
house gases when burned. — Houselogic.com

CoNvErTiNG To ComForT: sWiTCHiNG To NaTuraL Gas is as Easy as 123.

Ready to convert your home’s heating system to clean an electric furnace or heat pump, the existing ductwork
and comfortable natural gas? The first step with any can most likely be used with a new gas heating system.
conversion is to contact your local natural gas utility. It This will save both time and money on the installation
will ensure that natural gas is available and assist you of a gas furnace.
with the process. If a home is currently utilizing an electric boiler with
Regardless of which fuel you convert from, there are radiators, the radiators can most likely be used, but a
two stages to the connection process for natural gas: new gas boiler will need to be purchased. According
outside the house and inside. The utility company will to Husky Heating and Air Conditioning, a natural gas
run an underground pipe from the gas main in the boiler can be connected to an existing radiator system;
street to the home, where it will install a meter. Your that will help save money. Depending on efficiencies,
heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor will natural gas can save from one-third to one-half in an-
handle the second part of the job, piping the gas from nual operating costs over electric.
the meter to the home’s heating equipment. When you
are ready to switch to natural gas, the steps to convert oiL To Gas
can be quite simple. There is an additional step with oil to gas conversion;
the existing oil tank will need to be removed or rendered
ELECTriC To Gas useless. If the existing oil heating equipment is fairly new,
The two most common types of fuel used for home it may be able to be converted to natural gas. However, if
heating are electricity and natural gas. For many peo- the equipment is older, it is most likely worth purchasing
ple, however, gas is the go-to fuel for home heating. a new and more efficient natural gas unit.
With gas to electric conversion, new heating equipment Since 2002, according to Houselogic.com, oil heat has
will need to be purchased. If a home is currently using averaged 30% to 50% more than gas every year.

06 naturalliving ❙ Fall - Winter 2020