<p>Yes, the high efficiency furnace ran us $4K, if I recall correctly. But the furnace was as old as the house (40 years), and the price was way cheaper than it would have been had the oil furnace blown. Emilybee is exactly correct–removal of the basement oil tank was peanuts. Adding air conditioning and upstairs ductwork doubled the price in our case (even though the house had hot air, heating ducts are typically in the floor but AC vents need to be in the ceiling). Of course, as soon as we converted, the price of oil dropped and the price of gas went way up.</p>
<p>If the tank needs replacing, then you are incurring the removal cost anyway. If the boiler needs replacing, then you are incurring that cost anyway (gas boilers are available).</p>
<p>Make sure you get an environmental inspection. Just because the tank is not leaking now does not mean it did not leak in the past (at that location, or another location on the property).</p>
<p>The major difference in prices will be: cost of new tank vs cost of installing gas line.</p>
<p>Benefits of gas line:
- cost of gas vs ho (fracking seems to have produced a huge abundance of gas)
- don’t have to worry about ho deliveries
- don’t have to worry about replacing tank in future, or leaking tank (insurance savings?)
- flower garden where boiler use to be
- gas water heater
- When it is time to sell the house, easier to sell (buyers won’t have the same questions)</p>