Cost of separating gas and electric in a duplex

[Sophie Mia]

Hi everyone,

I am looking into buying a duplex which shares the same gas heater as well as electric.

How difficult and cost intensive would it be to separate those? The downstairs unit is a 1-bedroom, the upstairs unit is a 2-bedroom, and the overall square foot measurement is about 1700.

Also, what would my options be? Could I just buy a second gas heater and connect it to the appropriate pipes? Would I need to convert one of the units to electric heat (I'd rather not since electric heat is a lot more expensive)?

I'd appreciate any input!

Thank you!

[Steve Babiak]

Here are some relevant links; read them and you'll get a better understanding (including why it would be difficult for anybody to speculate on a price with any sort of accuracy over the internet without having seen the situation):

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/89163-converting-rental-units-to-have-their-own-separate-utilities-heat

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/107306-triplex-without-seperate-utilities

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/72185-water-sewer-bill---what-to-do-with-it?page=1#p412876

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/53627-what-does-two-meters-and-one-boiler-mean-

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/80896-converting-apartment-bldg-from-oil-heat-to-nat-gas