Replacing Electric Heat With Gas

[Chris C.]

Hello,

First of all, thank you for taking the time to check out this post. BP is a great resource and has saved me thousands as I started out.

Situation: 100 year old building. Bottom unit is gas, top unit is electric baseboard. The top unit has averaged around 500 per month in electric charges for the past two months(upstate NY is cold). I purchased this duplex less than a year ago and have discounted the rent to take into account the increased heating costs. However, I am still close to market rents with everything figured in. Before the tenant moved in I provided past utility bills so I am good there.

Question: Do I replace the baseboard and raise my rent accordingly or do I let it go for now? There is not existing ductwork on the second floor unit and new ductwork would have to be installed (old plaster walls). Any tips or suggestions as I go about finding a contractor to do this?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Tanya F.]

Adding ducts is expensive. You might ask heating contractors about ductless systems (we're installing a combined heating/AC system made by Mitsubishi). Those are modern, very efficient, heat pump systems. They're electric, but will certainly cost less to run than electric baseboards. The cost to install one of those systems is comparable to adding a forced air furnace and ductwork, but they are much more efficient. Check out other related threads about heat pump systems.

Also, do some insulating and air sealing so the heat stays in. That doesn't have to cost a lot.