Oil to Gas Conversion in Philadelphia, PA

Oil-to-gas conversion in Philadelphia, PA replaces an aging oil furnace or boiler with a natural gas system, so you stop scheduling oil deliveries and start heating with a cleaner, cheaper fuel. W.F. Smith has converted Philadelphia-area homes from oil to gas since natural gas lines reached most of the city, handling everything from the gas line tie-in to removing the old oil tank. Most of Philadelphia already has natural gas service on the street, which keeps conversion costs lower here than in areas still waiting on gas infrastructure. Every conversion starts with a written estimate, so you know the full cost before work begins.

Schedule Your Oil to Gas Conversion · (215) 273-3901

 

Why Philadelphia Homeowners Convert From Oil to Gas

Homeowners switch from oil to gas for a mix of cost and convenience reasons. Oil requires scheduling deliveries and hoping the tank does not run dry during a cold snap, while a gas line delivers fuel automatically with no storage tank to monitor.

• Cleaner burning. Gas furnaces burn cleaner than oil, which means less soot buildup and fewer service calls over the life of the system.
• No tank risk. An aging underground oil tank can develop a slow leak that contaminates soil and creates an expensive environmental cleanup, a risk a gas conversion removes entirely.
• No delivery minimums. A gas line removes the need to prepay for a minimum oil delivery, especially during price spikes.

The Oil to Gas Conversion Process in Philadelphia

A full oil to gas conversion in Philadelphia usually follows four steps.

• Inspect. We inspect your current oil furnace or boiler, your ductwork or piping, and your basement or mechanical room to confirm gas service can reach the unit.
• Permit and connect. We coordinate the gas line installation with PGW and pull the required city permits.
• Install and decommission. We install your new gas furnace and safely decommission or remove the old oil tank.
• Test and walk through. We test the system and walk you through the new controls before we leave.

Oil to Gas Conversion Cost in Philadelphia

The cost of an oil to gas conversion in Philadelphia depends on three factors:

• How far the gas line has to run.
• Whether the oil tank needs removal or just decommissioning.
• The size and efficiency of the new furnace.

PGW’s EnergySense program currently offers a $500 incentive to customers who convert from oil or electric heat to natural gas. That incentive can often be combined with an additional rebate of up to $500 on a qualifying high-efficiency furnace. Financing options like the Philadelphia Home Improvement Loan and Keystone HELP can also spread the upfront cost over time. W.F. Smith handles the rebate paperwork as part of your conversion so you are not chasing forms after the job is done.

Get a Free Oil to Gas Conversion Estimate · (215) 273-3901

 

Why Older Philadelphia Homes Are Good Candidates for Gas Conversion

Many Philadelphia rowhomes were built with coal or oil heat in mind, long before gas lines reached every block. A lot of that original oil infrastructure, including tanks buried decades ago, is now well past its expected service life. Converting those older systems to gas removes an aging liability from the property and typically fits into a rowhome’s tight basement or crawl space more easily than a new oil system would.

Why Philadelphia, PA Homeowners Choose W.F. Smith

W.F. Smith has handled heating conversions in Philadelphia since 1946, so our technicians have seen nearly every basement layout and oil system the city has to offer. We are licensed as a Home Improvement Contractor in Pennsylvania under PA003700 and hold BBB accreditation. Financing is available for the conversion itself, and we handle the PGW paperwork and permitting so the process stays simple on your end.

Oil to Gas Conversions We’ve Handled in Philadelphia, PA

Corroding Backyard Oil Tank in Fishtown

A homeowner in Fishtown had been filling a backyard oil tank for over 30 years and wanted out after a routine inspection flagged early corrosion. We coordinated the gas line tie-in with PGW, installed a new high-efficiency furnace, and safely removed the old tank the same week.

Oil Delivery Minimums in a Mount Airy Rowhome

A Mount Airy rowhome owner was tired of oil delivery minimums forcing large prepayments each winter. We converted the home to natural gas, applied PGW’s conversion incentive on their behalf, and had the new furnace running before the next cold snap.

Cracked Heat Exchanger in South Philadelphia

A family in South Philadelphia discovered their oil furnace’s heat exchanger had cracked during a routine inspection. Rather than replace it with another oil unit, we converted the home to gas and installed a new furnace with a full manufacturer warranty.

Oil to Gas Conversion Service Areas Near Philadelphia, PA

W.F. Smith converts oil systems to natural gas throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding Bucks and Montgomery County suburbs. If gas service reaches your street, our technicians can typically complete a full conversion, including tank removal, within a matter of days rather than weeks.

Oil to Gas Conversion Questions From Philadelphia, PA Homeowners

How much does an oil to gas conversion cost in Philadelphia?

Most oil to gas conversions in Philadelphia run several thousand dollars once the gas line tie-in, new furnace, and oil tank removal are factored in. The exact total depends on how far the gas line has to run and the tank’s condition. PGW’s EnergySense program currently offers a $500 conversion incentive, and an additional equipment rebate may apply. W.F. Smith gives you a written estimate before any work begins, so you know the full cost up front. (Regional cost range and rebate figures should be confirmed before publishing; rebate programs change.)

Is my home a good candidate for oil to gas conversion?

Most Philadelphia homes with natural gas service already running to the street are good candidates, since the main cost driver is how far the line has to extend to reach your furnace or boiler. Homes with an aging oil tank, especially one buried underground, are often the best candidates because conversion removes both the fuel cost and the environmental risk at once. A technician can confirm gas availability and give you a straight answer during the initial visit.

What happens to my old oil tank during conversion?

An aboveground oil tank is typically drained and removed once the new gas furnace is running. An underground tank requires either professional removal or a documented decommissioning process, depending on its age and condition. Pennsylvania has specific requirements for handling old underground storage tanks. W.F. Smith coordinates whichever option applies to your property as part of the conversion.

Do I need a permit to convert from oil to gas in Philadelphia?

Yes. A gas line installation and new furnace installation both require permits from the City of Philadelphia, along with coordination with PGW to bring gas service to the unit. W.F. Smith pulls the required permits and schedules PGW’s involvement as part of the conversion, so you do not have to manage the paperwork yourself.

Are there rebates available for oil to gas conversion in Philadelphia?

Yes. PGW’s EnergySense program currently offers a $500 incentive for customers converting from oil or electric heat to natural gas, and qualifying high-efficiency equipment may be eligible for an additional rebate. Rebate amounts and eligibility change over time, so W.F. Smith confirms current program details and handles the paperwork as part of your conversion.

How long does an oil to gas conversion take?

A straightforward conversion, where gas service already runs close to the home, typically takes a few days from the gas line tie-in through the final furnace installation and inspection. Conversions requiring a longer gas line extension or more involved tank removal can take longer. Your technician gives you a specific timeline once the initial inspection is complete.

Will converting to gas lower my heating bills?

Most homeowners see lower fuel costs after converting, since natural gas has historically run cheaper per unit of heat than oil in the Philadelphia area. A new high-efficiency furnace also uses less fuel than an older oil system. The exact savings depend on your home’s insulation, the size of the new furnace, and current fuel prices. Your technician can walk through the numbers for your specific system during the estimate.

Can any HVAC contractor do an oil to gas conversion?

An oil to gas conversion involves gas line work, permitting, and often oil tank removal, so it requires a contractor experienced in all three rather than just furnace installation. W.F. Smith has coordinated conversions with PGW for decades and manages the full process, from the initial inspection through the final inspection, under one contract.

 

If you are still filling an oil tank every winter, converting to natural gas is one of the more straightforward upgrades a Philadelphia homeowner can make. Contact W.F. Smith today, and one of our licensed technicians will inspect your current system, confirm gas availability, and give you a straight price for the full conversion.

Call W.F. Smith to Convert From Oil to Gas · (215) 273-3901