Do you ever open your propane bill and just sigh… or maybe even cringe a little? You’re definitely not alone. I’ve talked to countless homeowners here in Colorado Springs who’ve made the switch from propane to natural gas, and honestly, most of them wish they’d done it sooner. The thing is, converting from propane to natural gas isn’t just about swapping out a tank – there’s actually quite a bit that goes into it.
So, let me walk you through everything you need to know about converting your home from propane to natural gas and what kind of line changes might be needed. I’ll keep it simple and tell you exactly what to expect, what it might cost, and whether it’s really worth it for your place.
Why Folks Are Making the Switch
Here’s the deal – propane costs have been all over the map lately. One month you’re paying $3 a gallon, the next it’s pushing $4 or more. Natural gas, on the other hand, has stayed pretty stable. Plus, you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel in the middle of winter when your delivery truck just can’t make it up your snowy driveway.
I remember talking to a neighbor who made the switch three years ago. She told me the peace of mind alone was worth every penny – no more checking the gauge, no more scheduling deliveries, no more “oh crap, we’re almost out!” moments during a snowstorm. Imagine never having to think about that again!
The numbers don’t lie either. Most folks see their heating costs drop by 30-50% after converting. That’s real money back in your pocket every single month.
What Actually Needs to Change
This is where things get interesting. You can’t just hook up natural gas to your existing propane setup and call it good. The two fuels burn differently, and your equipment definitely knows the difference.
Your Appliances Need Some TLC
Every propane appliance in your home will need some adjustments. We’re talking about your furnace, water heater, stove, fireplace – basically anything that burns fuel. The good news? Most appliances can be changed over rather than replaced entirely.
Your furnace is probably the biggest piece of the puzzle. Propane burns hotter than natural gas, so the burner orifices (those tiny holes where the gas comes out) need to be swapped out for smaller ones. The gas valve might need an adjustment too. It’s not brain surgery, but it absolutely needs a professional who knows what they’re doing.
Water heaters are usually pretty straightforward to change over. Same with most stoves – though some really old models might give you a bit of trouble. Fireplaces can be a little trickier depending on the type you have.
Gas Lines Are a Different Story
Here’s where it gets a bit more involved. Natural gas operates at different pressures than propane, and it moves through pipes differently. Your existing propane lines might look like they’d work, but they probably need some significant modifications.
The main line coming into your house will be completely new. Natural gas companies typically run a line from the street to your meter, then from the meter to your house. Inside your house, some of your existing lines might be reusable, but honestly, don’t count on it.
I’ve seen homes where they could reuse about half the existing lines, and others where they basically started from scratch. It really depends on what you’ve got and how it was installed originally.
The Conversion Process Step by Step
Let me break down what actually happens when you decide to convert. This isn’t something that happens overnight, and knowing what to expect can save you some headaches.
Getting Natural Gas to Your Property
First things first – you need natural gas available in your area. Most of Colorado Springs has access, but some rural areas don’t. You’ll need to check with your local natural gas company to see if service is available at your address.
If it’s available, they’ll need to run a line from the street to your property. This usually means some digging in your yard, and you’ll get a meter installed somewhere on the outside of your house. The gas company handles this part, but you’ll pay for it.
The cost for getting gas to your house varies a lot. If you’re in an established neighborhood and the main line is right there, it might be a few thousand dollars. If they need to extend service down your street, it could be much more.
Inside Your Home
Once you’ve got natural gas to your house, the real work begins inside. This is where you want a company like Accurate Air Control involved – folks who know Colorado Springs homes and have the experience to do it right.
They’ll start by checking out all your propane appliances. Some might be easy to change over, others might need significant work, and a few might need to be replaced entirely. Older appliances, especially those more than 15 years old, sometimes just aren’t worth the effort to change.
The gas line work comes next. They’ll map out your existing propane lines and figure out what can stay and what needs to go. Natural gas lines need to be properly sized for the lower energy content of natural gas compared to propane.
Testing and Safety Checks
This part is super important, and it’s why you don’t want to mess around with DIY conversions. Every joint, every connection, every appliance needs to be tested for leaks. Natural gas might be lighter than air (which is good for leaks, as it dissipates), but a gas leak is still incredibly dangerous.
Professional technicians will use electronic leak detectors and soap solutions to check every connection. They’ll also test the pressure throughout your system and make sure each appliance is burning cleanly and efficiently.
What It’s Going to Cost You
Okay, let’s talk money. This is probably what you really want to know, right? The total cost of converting from propane to natural gas can vary quite a bit, but I’ll give you some realistic numbers based on what I’ve seen locally.
Getting Gas Service
The gas company will charge you to run the line and install the meter. In Colorado Springs, I’ve seen this range from about $2,000 for simple installations up to $8,000 or more for complex ones. If you’re the first house on your street to convert, you might pay significantly more.
Some gas companies offer financing or payment plans for this part. It’s worth asking about – they want your business, after all.
Appliance Conversions
Changing over appliances is usually pretty reasonable. A furnace conversion typically runs $300-600, depending on what needs to be done. Water heaters are similar. Stoves and fireplaces can vary more widely.
If you need to replace appliances instead of changing them over, that’s obviously more expensive. But here’s the thing – natural gas appliances often cost less than their propane counterparts, so it might not be as bad as you think.
Gas Line Modifications
This is where costs can really add up. Simple line modifications might run $500-1,000. Extensive rework of your gas lines can easily hit $3,000-5,000 or more.
The complexity of your home’s layout makes a big difference here. A simple ranch house with everything on one level and easy access? Not too bad. A multi-story home with finished basements and hard-to-reach areas? That’s going to cost more.
Total Investment
All in, most homeowners spend $5,000-15,000 for a complete conversion. That’s a big range, I know, but there are just so many variables. The good news is that most people start seeing savings immediately, and the payback period is usually 3-7 years.
Safety Stuff You Can’t Ignore
Let me be blunt here – gas line work isn’t a DIY project. I don’t care how handy you are or how many YouTube videos you’ve watched. This stuff can kill you if it’s done wrong.
Natural gas is actually safer than propane in some ways. It’s lighter than air, so if there’s a leak, it tends to dissipate upward rather than pooling in low areas like propane does. But it’s still a flammable gas, and gas leaks cause explosions and deaths every year.
Professional Installation Is Absolutely Essential
Any reputable conversion service will be licensed and insured. In Colorado, gas line work requires specific licenses, and there are inspections involved. Don’t even think about hiring someone who isn’t properly licensed.
The team at Accurate Air Control has decades of experience with these conversions, and they understand Colorado Springs’ unique challenges – things like altitude effects on gas pressure and local building codes.
Permits and Inspections
Most conversions require permits and inspections. Your contractor should handle getting the permits, but make sure they’re included in your quote. The inspection process usually involves checking the work at various stages and a final inspection before everything gets turned on.
Don’t try to skip the permit process. Besides being illegal, it can cause problems with your insurance and when you try to sell your house later.
Finding the Right Conversion Service
Not all HVAC companies do gas line conversions, and not all plumbers understand the complexities of fuel changes. You want someone who does this regularly and knows all the ins and outs.
What to Look For
Experience matters here more than almost anywhere else. Ask potential contractors how many conversions they’ve done and whether they can provide references. A good contractor will be happy to show you their work and put you in touch with recent customers.
Licensing and insurance are absolutely required. Don’t even get quotes from anyone who can’t provide proof of both. In Colorado Springs, you want someone familiar with local codes and regulations.
Questions to Ask
When you’re getting quotes, ask about the whole process. How long will it take? What exactly is included? Will they handle permits and inspections? What kind of warranty do they provide on their work?
Also ask about coordinating with the gas company. A good contractor will work directly with your gas utility to coordinate the service installation and final connections.
Red Flags to Avoid
Be wary of anyone who gives you a quote without seeing your home and appliances in person. Every conversion is different, and there’s no way to accurately estimate costs without a proper evaluation.
Also watch out for contractors who seem to be pushing you toward replacing all your appliances rather than changing them over. While replacement is sometimes necessary, a good contractor will try to change over what can be changed.
The Timeline: What to Expect
Converting from propane to natural gas isn’t a weekend project. Here’s a realistic timeline for the whole process:
Initial Planning Phase
Getting quotes and planning the work usually takes 2-4 weeks. This includes having contractors evaluate your home, getting quotes from the gas company, and deciding exactly what work needs to be done.
Gas Service Installation
Once you’ve committed to the conversion, getting gas service to your home typically takes 4-8 weeks. This can be longer during busy seasons or if there are complications with the line installation.
The Actual Conversion
The work inside your home usually takes 2-5 days, depending on how complicated it is. Simple conversions with easy access might be done in a day or two. More complex homes can take a full week.
Inspections and Final Connections
Inspections can add a few more days to the timeline. The gas company usually needs to do a final inspection and connection before your service goes live.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
I’ve seen enough of these conversions to know where things typically go wrong. Here are the most common issues and how to avoid them:
Appliance Compatibility Issues
Sometimes appliances that look like they can be changed over actually can’t be, or the cost to change them is more than replacing them. The best way to avoid surprises is to have everything thoroughly evaluated upfront.
Older appliances are more likely to have problems. If your furnace or water heater is more than 15 years old, be prepared for the possibility that replacement might make more sense financially than changing it over.
Gas Line Sizing Problems
Natural gas has a lower energy content than propane, so you need larger gas lines to deliver the same amount of energy. Sometimes existing propane lines are just too small for natural gas service.
A good contractor will calculate your gas load requirements and size the lines appropriately. Don’t let anyone tell you the existing lines will definitely work without doing the math.
Coordination Headaches
Getting the gas company, your contractor, and the inspection department all coordinated can be like herding cats. The best contractors have relationships with all these parties and can keep things moving smoothly.
Maintenance After Conversion
Once your conversion is complete, your maintenance routine changes a bit. Natural gas appliances generally need less upkeep than propane ones, but there are still things to keep an eye on.
Annual Inspections
You should have your natural gas appliances inspected annually. This includes checking for leaks, making sure they’re burning properly, and cleaning as needed. Many homeowners in Colorado Springs bundle this with their regular HVAC maintenance.
What You Can Do Yourself
Learn to recognize the smell of natural gas – that distinctive “rotten egg” smell that’s added to help detect leaks. If you smell gas, don’t mess around. Turn off the gas at the meter if you can do so safely, get everyone out of the house, and call the gas company immediately.
Also, keep your gas meter clear of snow and ice in winter. A blocked meter can cause pressure problems and safety issues.
Is Conversion Right for You?
Converting from propane to natural gas isn’t right for everyone. Here are some situations where it makes the most sense:
You’re a good candidate if you use a lot of propane – say, more than 500 gallons per year for heating and hot water. You’re also a good candidate if propane delivery is unreliable in your area or if you’re just tired of managing propane deliveries.
If natural gas is readily available in your neighborhood and your appliances are in decent shape, conversion usually makes financial sense.
When to Think Twice
If you only use propane for a few appliances and your annual usage is low, the payback period might be too long to justify the conversion cost.
Also, if your appliances are very old and would need to be replaced anyway soon, you might want to wait until they need replacement and then switch to natural gas at that time.
Working with Colorado Springs’ Unique Challenges
Living in Colorado Springs presents some unique challenges for gas conversions. The altitude affects gas pressures and how things burn. Winter weather can complicate installation schedules. And some of our older neighborhoods have quirky layouts that can make line routing a bit tricky.
The team at Accurate Air Control understands these local challenges. With decades of experience serving both homes and businesses in Colorado Springs, they’ve seen just about every situation you can imagine.
They understand how Colorado’s climate affects your heating needs and can help you plan a conversion that makes sense for your specific home. Whether you’re in an older home downtown or a newer development on the outskirts, they’ve got the experience to handle your conversion professionally.
Making Your Decision
Converting from propane to natural gas is a big decision, but it’s one that most people are happy they made. The combination of cost savings, convenience, and dependability usually makes it worthwhile.
The key is working with experienced pros who can guide you through the process and do the work safely and correctly. Don’t rush the decision – get multiple quotes, ask lots of questions, and make sure you understand exactly what’s involved.
If you’re ready to explore converting your Colorado Springs home from propane to natural gas, give the folks at Accurate Air Control a call at (719) 440-6977. They can evaluate your situation, explain your options, and give you a realistic idea of what conversion would involve for your specific home.
The switch to natural gas isn’t just about saving money – though that’s certainly nice. It’s about the peace of mind that comes with reliable, convenient fuel that’s always there when you need it. No more checking gauges, no more delivery trucks, no more worrying about running out of heat in the middle of a Colorado winter.
That’s something you really can’t put a price on.
