If you live in a cold climate, you probably have a gas central heating system in your house. This means that all the heat for your home is generated by burning gas in a furnace.
Gas heating systems are more common, but it’s not the only way to warm your home. Electric systems are also worth considering. With an electric system, you won’t have radiators against your walls, taking up space in rooms where they aren’t needed. Instead, you’ll have room-specific heat outlets that keep everything nice and cosy.
Another benefit of this type of heating is that it’s much more efficient than old-school radiators, because it doesn’t waste energy by releasing excess heat into the room or into other rooms.
Lastly, electric systems are easier on the environment. You’re avoiding using fossil fuels, which means less pollution and less reliance on foreign oil.
How to convert gas central heating to electric
Converting gas central heating to electric is a doable job with the help of a licenced, experienced electrician. You’ll first need to find out if it’s legal to convert a gas central heating system to an electric one in your area. You can check this with your local council. If it is allowed, they will also tell you what kind of building work needs to be done before the conversion can take place.
Once you get the go-ahead, contact an electrical engineer to disconnect your existing gas lines, decommission the boiler and get rid of existing pipes or radiators. In some cases, you’ll need to change the electric wiring of the furnace. Your electrical expert will also help you identify the right breaker size, depending on the total wattage of your electric heating system.
When all the old equipment has been removed, you can begin installing your new system, including radiators, fans, heaters and such. If you’ve hired a professional installer, they will likely arrive with everything you need, so you can just sit back and wait for the work to finish.
Things to consider when switching
The process isn’t too different from a regular furnace installation. Determining if your gas central heating can be converted to electric entails doing your part and taking these things into consideration:
Existing power supply
The first thing you should consider is whether or not your current home has been built with wiring capable of handling an electric heating system. Electric heating systems require more power and this can be a challenge for older houses that don’t have the capacity.
If you don’t know whether or not your home has been wired correctly for electric heat, consult an electrician before proceeding with installation. If your home doesn’t have capable wiring, an electrician can instal the correct wiring to ensure that your new system will operate safely.
Costs
The next thing you’ll want to consider is whether or not it makes financial sense. Switching to electric heating systems can mean higher costs, but it also entails less maintenance. Weigh these up before making a decision. Use a free online calculator tool to estimate the costs and savings of switching from gas appliances to electric appliances.
Home space
Think about how an electric heating system will fit into your house. Do you have an attic or a basement where it can be installed? There are many different types of systems available—from boilers to radiators—so make sure that whatever option you choose will work well in your home space.
Work with a qualified electrician near you
When you convert your gas central heating system to an electric one, it’s not something you should do yourself. There are many reasons for this, but they all boil down to one thing: safety.
Converting a central heating system from gas to electric can seem pretty simple at first glance, but there’s more to it than just plugging in an outlet and running some wires. You’ll need to make sure that the wiring is up to code and that it’s installed correctly. Otherwise you could be putting yourself at risk of electrocution.
The safety of your home is another consideration. Gas central heating systems are extremely dangerous. If you’re not trained in electrical work, you could start a fire or cause other serious damage. And if you don’t have the right equipment, it will be very difficult for you to complete the job. You might end up with wires that aren’t properly insulated or installed, which can cause them to overheat and catch fire. Or maybe your wiring won’t be secure enough and could come loose at any time, creating an electrical hazard for anyone who comes into contact with it.
A final tip: when choosing a professional, remember to ask for their qualifications, experience and references before you hire them.
At STL Electrical, you can be assured that our installation electricians are skilled, experienced and qualified to do the job. We’re trusted by clients when it comes to converting from ducted gas to ducted electric heating systems for homes in Melbourne. Give us a call to get a free quotation.
