Q: What if I need to switch from natural gas to electric (or vice versa)?

• <div><p>You&rsquo;ll need to increase your budget. Since you will likely need a new outlet, factor in $120 to $200 for it. If your gas company needs to run a new gas line to your oven, expect a charge between $200 to $2,000.</p></div>

Q: Is it safe to manually light a gas water heater?

• <div><p>In most cases, yes, it&rsquo;s safe to light a gas water heater manually, but you should shut the gas off first, open a window, and let the space air out for about 10 minutes. Modern water heaters shut the gas off entirely if the pilot light goes out, but airing out the area beforehand is good practice and will ensure it&rsquo;s safe to relight your pilot light manually. Just make sure you turn the gas valve to &ldquo;pilot&rdquo; before lighting. If the light keeps going out or won&rsquo;t light at all, call in a professional.</p></div>

Question 1

What if I need to switch from natural gas to electric (or vice versa)?

Accepted Answer

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You’ll need to increase your budget. Since you will likely need a new outlet, factor in $120 to $200 for it. If your gas company needs to run a new gas line to your oven, expect a charge between $200 to $2,000.

Question 2

Is it safe to manually light a gas water heater?

Accepted Answer

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In most cases, yes, it’s safe to light a gas water heater manually, but you should shut the gas off first, open a window, and let the space air out for about 10 minutes. Modern water heaters shut the gas off entirely if the pilot light goes out, but airing out the area beforehand is good practice and will ensure it’s safe to relight your pilot light manually. Just make sure you turn the gas valve to “pilot” before lighting. If the light keeps going out or won’t light at all, call in a professional.

Question 3

What are the benefits of having a gas line installed?

Accepted Answer

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For one, natural gas is more affordable than electricity, meaning your wallet might see an overall savings over time. The biggest positive of installing a gas line is that gas-powered appliances will still work during a power outage, so your gas fireplace will keep your home warm and toasty during a blackout.

Question 4

Can you vent a gas water heater out the side of the house?

Accepted Answer

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You can and should vent the gas from your hot water heater to the outside of your home. Traditionally, these gases were vented back to other gas appliances, like stoves or furnaces, but many jurisdictions have outlawed this practice due to the risks it provides.

Most water heaters today use atmospheric venting that exhausts the gas out of the home through a pipe.

Question 5

Do gas fireplaces burn a lot of gas?

Accepted Answer

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Modern gas fireplaces are relatively efficient and don't burn excessive amounts of gas, especially compared to older models. A gas fireplace might use between 10,000 to 40,000 BTUs per hour; the total amount of gas used depends on the fireplace's size, heat output, and how often it's in use. To help keep your running costs down, consider using a thermostat and turning off the fireplace when not needed to minimize gas consumption