Things to Consider When Switching from Electric to Natural Gas

Switching from electric to natural gas is a big change in how your home is powered, and it comes with real advantages. But there are also a few things to weigh out before you commit. Let’s walk through some of those considerations. 

Natural Gas Lines and Installation 

How do I bring natural gas service to my home? 

If you’re not already set up with access to natural gas, meaning there’s no gas meter on the outside of your home or gas lines inside, this is your first hurdle to overcome. You’ll need to determine how close gas utility lines are and how you can get a line from the main pipe (at the street) extended onto your property. 

Start with your utility company. They’ll be able to tell you how far your home is from the nearest gas pipe and whether it has the capacity to serve your needs—they’ll want to know which type of appliances you plan on using natural gas for. This is a slow and sometimes expensive process, though some utility companies will pay for all or part of the cost to bring a gas line up to your home, where they’ll install a meter. 

Once the lines and meter are set to go outside your home, you’ll need to hire a licensed professional to install gas lines inside, running to the various areas you want to have natural gas appliances. You may also want to consider whether you’d like appliances like gas grills, generators and pool heaters that will need gas lines outside. 

How much does it cost to have natural gas lines installed in my home? 

Costs vary, depending on where you live and how much gas piping needs to be run. But in states like Georgia, for example, this typically costs about $26 – $38 per linear foot, or about $300 – $800, on average. 

Natural Gas Appliances 

What types of natural gas appliances are available? 

The most common gas appliances purchased are water heaters, furnaces, stoves and ovens, dryers and fireplaces. And as we mentioned above, some homeowners choose to have appliances like gas grills, generators and pool heaters installed outside. Less common, though still an option, are appliances like natural gas refrigerators and air conditioners—see more about the latest natural gas appliances.

How much do natural gas appliances cost? 

Natural gas appliance prices will vary depending on the type and brand you’re hoping to acquire. Generally, they’re about twice the cost of similar electric appliances—though you’ll save in the long run. Here are a few ballpark price ranges to consider for gas appliances: 

• Gas Water Heater: $600 — $2,100 
• Gas Furnace: $1,300 — $2,500 
• Gas Stove/Oven: $700 — $3,200 
• Gas Dryer: $600 — $1,000 
• Gas Fireplace: $1,300 — $4,800 

Venting, Air and Electrical Updates 

What other modifications do I need to convert to natural gas appliances? 

In addition to any gas lines you need installed, you’re also going to need proper venting, access to combustion air and updates to your electrical wiring. 

Natural gas appliances produce combustion gases, so you’ll want to ensure proper venting to the outside. Combustion air is simply the fresh air a gas appliance needs to burn fuel safely. Without enough oxygen, the appliance can produce excess carbon monoxide or burn inefficiently. This air can come from the room, a dedicated duct or a mechanical system. 

On top of all that, gas appliances still need electricity for ignition, controls and fans. You may need to cap or repurpose some of the circuits that fed your electric appliances. And you might need new outlets installed, as well, and you’ll want to update your breaker panel with proper labeling. 

What will these modifications cost? 

This isn’t easy to answer, considering there may be a number of variables relevant to your specific wants and needs that affect cost. But a ballpark figure will land you anywhere between $500 — $4,000, using a licensed contractor to perform the work. The number of appliances you want and whether or not you need any major structural modifications will certainly figure into that. For any of this work, be sure to get several estimates from different contractors first—and get everything in writing once you’ve made your choice. 

Permits and Inspections 

Will I need permission to do this work? 

Yes. By law, you or the contractor you’ve hired will need to pull permits from the city or county you live in before doing any work. And once the work is done, it will have to be inspected and signed off on. This helps ensure everything is safe and up to local building codes. Expect at least one inspection, sometimes several, at different stages. And you’ll likely pay $150—$400 for the permits and inspections needed. 

Advantages of Converting  

Is it worth converting from electric to natural gas? 

It can be, for sure. You’re going to have upfront costs to purchase new natural gas appliances and make all the necessary installations and updates to your home, but these appliances cost less to operate. Even with price fluctuations, natural gas usually costs less per BTU than electricity. Gas appliances use less energy, too, and for a shorter amount of time to get the job done. There’s less wear and tear with natural gas appliances because they don’t have to work as hard, which means they last longer and don’t require as much maintenance and repair. And they typically give homeowners more control and faster response times when cooking and heating. If you’re still not sold on the idea, consider the fact that the clean-burning and efficient nature of natural gas is also better for the planet. 

Switching to natural gas takes planning and upfront investment, but the payoff is real. Gas appliances run more efficiently, cost less to operate and often last longer. With the right contractors and permits in place, converting can be a smart long-term upgrade for comfort, performance and energy savings. 

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