Home Ownership If you have access to natural gas, a gas furnace constitutes a major alternative to oil. Natural gas is less expensive than oil and the Canadian Gas Association claims we have enough to last well beyond this century. Dollar benefits accrued by converting reflect the system you choose and vary according to the heating unit, size of house, type of insulation and temperature desired.

A conventional gas furnace operating at between 55 and 60 per cent efficiency with a continuously burning pilot light, wastes approximately five to seven per cent of the fuel consumed. The open draft hood wastes another 12 per cent by allowing heated air to escape up the chimney.

Replacing the burning pilot light with an electric ignition system and installing a built-in vent damper to prevent warm air from being drawn up the chimney during the off-cycle means fuel savings of 10 to 15 per cent. Improved efficiency furnaces combining this equipment are available and the industry says that future designs promise even greater savings and efficiency.

Be aware that a gas-fired water heater shouldn't be used in conjunction with this system. Water heaters of this type keep the chimney passage open, cancelling any of the fuel savings from the the vent damper. You'd be further ahead with an efficient electric water heater.




Page 1 2
Home > Home Ownership > Energy Economics > Considering Natural Gas

December 4, 2008