Switching From Oil to Gas – Is it Worth Switching ? Your boiler is one of the most important parts of your heating system, which means the fuel you choose can have a significant impact. Is gas or oil heating cheaper? Should you switch from one to the other? It will depend on your circumstances, usage patterns, and potentially even your location.
Oil and gas are both non-renewable fossil fuels, which means their supplies are limited, and they can impact the environment. However, gas is generally considered to be a cleaner fuel than oil. Burning natural gas produces lower levels of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides than burning oil.
Cost of changing from oil to gas Ireland
That said, switching from oil to gas is not a decision that should be made lightly. There can be significant costs associated with switching your boiler and connecting to the gas network. You’ll need to factor in these costs when deciding whether or not switching from oil to gas is right for you.
The cost of switching from oil to gas will vary depending on several factors, including:
- The cost of the new boiler
- The cost of connecting to the gas network
- The size and type of property
As a rough guide, switching from oil to gas can cost anywhere from €3,000 to €10,000. However, the exact cost will depend on your individual circumstances.
NRM Plumbing Heating and Gas Boiler Replacement, 26 Glendoo Close, Walkinstown, Dublin 12. D12E7N9. Phone: +353 1 535 29 48. Mobile: +353 87 990 89 13 | website: nrmplumbingandheating.ie
Changing from gas to oil heating
Switching from oil to gas may also require some changes to your property, such as installing a new flue or increasing the size of your gas meter. These costs will need to be factored into your decision as well.
Some homes have oil-powered boilers due to their location. While gas is readily available in towns, cities, and other built-up areas, not every village, farm, or house in the countryside will have a convenient gas supply. If you live in a rural area, it may not be possible to switch to gas even if you wanted to.
However, the gas network is constantly expanding and being improved, so a home that required an oil boiler / oil boiler service ten, twenty, or even fifty years ago might now be within an area with an available gas supply.
Benefits of switching from oil to gas
Several benefits come with switching from oil to gas despite the potential cost.
The most significant benefit is that gas is generally cheaper than oil, both in terms of the fuel itself and the cost of installation and maintenance. Gas boilers are also often more efficient than oil boilers, meaning they waste less energy and help you to save money on your heating bills.
Another key benefit of switching to gas is that it can be a cleaner fuel than oil. Burning natural gas produces lower levels of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides than burning oil. This can help to improve both local air quality and the global environment.
As we’ve already mentioned, many homes had oil-fired central heating systems installed due to an absence of mains gas availability. Oil can be stored on-site, which means receiving regular deliveries to keep your heating working.
Should the delivery be late, or should you use more fuel than anticipated, it’s possible you could run out. By choosing gas instead, you’ll be collected to the mains supply and have gas available on demand.
Is gas or oil heating cheaper?
Gas or oil heating in Ireland will have a cost associated with it, and the main difference will be the cost of the fuel itself. If you’re purchasing a new boiler, most modern boilers are almost identical in terms of efficiency – you might be looking at the difference between a boiler that is 93% efficient compared to one that is 94% efficient.
Is it better to have oil or gas? Gas is more readily available and supplied from the main pipeline, making it more convenient. The cost of gas and oil will fluctuate over time due to overall market factors, but generally speaking, gas is cheaper for home heating than oil. Gas tends to be a more efficient fuel for heating which is a further benefit.
Is there a grant to change from oil to gas heating?
Switching from oil to gas in Ireland isn’t backed by a specific grant, but grants might be available depending on your individual circumstances.
The SEAI offers a range of grants for energy efficiency improvements to the home, including boiler upgrade grants. The amount of grant funding you could receive can depend on your income and the type (and age) of property you live in.
You are likely to be eligible for a grant if you replace an old energy-inefficient boiler, no matter what fuel source. Grants for smart heating controls, insulation, and other home improvements can be offered, and in some cases, funding is available for complete boiler replacement.
At NRM, we have great experience working with the SEAI, the main grant-providing body for heating systems in Ireland. We can help you understand what you can apply for and how likely you are to get approval, helping you to make an informed decision about the cost of switching from oil to gas. If you’re looking for a grant to change from oil to gas heating, we can show you all the currently available options.
Should I switch from oil to natural gas?
The debate over gas vs oil heating in Ireland isn’t easy to solve. If your home can only use oil or bottled gas, making a change won’t be beneficial unless you replace like-for-like.
As boilers get older, they become less efficient. Replacing an old oil boiler or replacing an old gas boiler with a new one will mean that your energy usage becomes more efficient, and you’ll start to see the benefits on your energy bills.
The older your boiler is, the greater the improvement you will likely see by replacing it with a new one.
Is it easy to change from oil heating to gas?
For our customers, yes! Once you’ve decided that switching is the right choice and are happy with the oil to gas conversion cost, you can just sit back and leave the rest to us.
In most cases, you won’t need to replace your radiators or other heating system parts.
If you’re considering switching from oil to gas but are worried about the potential cost, contact us today. We can talk you through all of the available options and help you decide whether switching is right for you.
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