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    crickey464's Avatar
    crickey464 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 3, 2009, 10:34 AM
    Coverting a gas mobile home to electric
    I just bought my daughter a used mobile home and it has a gas furnace, stove and hot water heater. I am not familiar with gas at all. I grew up with all electric. I am concerned with the gas so I was wondering if you can convert it to all electric. How expensive would the cost be to covert and then how economical would they be after converted. I would appreciate any info on this subject.

    Thanks,

    Angie
    twinkiedooter's Avatar
    twinkiedooter Posts: 12,172, Reputation: 1054
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    #2

    Nov 3, 2009, 10:52 AM

    To "convert" a gas stove and a gas water heater to electric is not possible. All new wiring would have to be installed in the mobile home. The same for the gas furnace. Right now you'd be looking at replacing all gas appliances and furnace and hiring an electrician to do the wiring job with dedicated circuit lines to each appliance. You'd be looking to spend a small fortune to do this.

    Why would you purchase a mobile home that is already hooked up to gas with gas appliances thinking you could just "convert" the house to an all electric house? There are all electric mobile homes built. Should have purchased one of them. They are more efficient in the long run.
    crickey464's Avatar
    crickey464 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Nov 3, 2009, 11:09 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by twinkiedooter View Post
    To "convert" a gas stove and a gas water heater to electric is not possible. All new wiring would have to be installed in the mobile home. The same for the gas furnace. Right now you'd be looking at replacing all gas appliances and furnace and hiring an electrician to do the wiring job with dedicated circuit lines to each appliance. You'd be looking to spend a small fortune to do this.

    Why would you purchase a mobile home that is already hooked up to gas with gas appliances thinking you could just "convert" the house to an all electric house? There are all electric mobile homes built. Should have purchased one of them. They are more efficient in the long run.
    Thanks for the info. We got the mobile home at a very good price and we will just live with it being gas. I had heard you could convert a gas furnace to electric. I know that I would have to replace the gas stove and hot water heater with electric ones and that would involve wiring but I have a friend that is an electrician. I was mostly concerned with the gas furnace. Thanks for your imput.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #4

    Nov 3, 2009, 01:32 PM
    Twinkie is correct on most counts.

    Not sure what a small fortune would be, it is all relative.

    "All new wiring would have to be installed in the mobile home." is not true, not sure that was intended, just new wiring for any appliances that need to be electric. May need to increase the size of the service, depending on how may appliances get swapped to electric, certainly a electric furnace will require a larger service.

    If you now have gas, and gas is reasonable cost, then stay with it.

    I am an electrician and do not like electric appliances for heat, cooking, and hot water. I have all gas. ( Guess I am a traitor).

    I will say to be sure all gas appliances and piping are checked out by a licensed, qualified gas service technician, for integrity of piping, burners, etc.

    Having a CO, Carbon Monoxide detector would be wise, in addition to the standard required smoke detectors.

    Never heard of easily converting a gas furnace to electric, without changing the entire unit.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #5

    Nov 3, 2009, 01:55 PM

    Agree, never seen a conversion from gas to electric, changing from NG to propane is about the only conversion I've seen. Any time you make heat with electricity you are using a lot of power, in my area electric heats costs almost 3x propane. Keep what you have but consider having a pro evaluate the furnace for safety issues and venting.
    twinkiedooter's Avatar
    twinkiedooter Posts: 12,172, Reputation: 1054
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    #6

    Nov 3, 2009, 06:00 PM

    I meant all new wiring for the new electric appliances would be required. That's what I get for talking to my son and trying to type at the same time. Sometimes a word here or there gets left out.

    Depending on the price of propane it may be a good idea to just keep it as it is but I'd definitely have your system checked out for leaks and the regulator checked out as well.

    I can't use propane or natural gas or an oil furnace due to my smoke inhaliation damaged lungs. I cough and cough. I have to have an electric home. I've weatherized my home and don't turn on the heat unless it gets down to the 20's outside.

    Also, if you just bought it, I would definitely suggest that someone get under the home and tape up any splits in the underbelly membrane of the house. This is very important otherwise that room or area will definitely get cold and you will waste your heat. There is special belly tape available for this. Using duct tape is not "sticky" enough as the belly material is special and duct does not stick properly.
    Be sure to tape up any splits or tears in the underbelly membrane. You can get the belly tape either online or at a mobile home supply store. I got some online for about $10 a roll. Well worth every penny.
    crickey464's Avatar
    crickey464 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Nov 3, 2009, 07:07 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by tkrussell View Post
    Twinkie is correct on most counts.

    Not sure what a small fortune would be, it is all relative.

    "All new wiring would have to be installed in the mobile home." is not true, not sure that was intended, just new wiring for any appliances that need to be electric. may need to increase the size of the service, depending on how may appliances get swapped to electric, certainly a electric furnace will require a larger service.

    If you now have gas, and gas is reasonable cost, then stay with it.

    I am an electrician and do not like electric appliances for heat, cooking, and hot water. I have all gas. ( Guess I am a traitor).

    I will say to be sure all gas appliances and piping are checked out by a licensed, qualified gas service technician, for integrity of piping, burners, etc.

    Having a CO, Carbon Monoxide detector would be wise, in addition to the standard required smoke detectors.

    Never heard of easily converting a gas furnace to electric, without changing the entire unit.
    Thank you so much for all your information. You have been very helpful.
    crickey464's Avatar
    crickey464 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Nov 3, 2009, 07:09 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by twinkiedooter View Post
    I meant all new wiring for the new electric appliances would be required. That's what I get for talking to my son and trying to type at the same time. Sometimes a word here or there gets left out.

    Depending on the price of propane it may be a good idea to just keep it as it is but I'd definitely have your system checked out for leaks and the regulator checked out as well.

    I can't use propane or natural gas or an oil furnace due to my smoke inhaliation damaged lungs. I cough and cough. I have to have an electric home. I've weatherized my home and don't turn on the heat unless it gets down to the 20's outside.

    Also, if you just bought it, I would definitely suggest that someone get under the home and tape up any splits in the underbelly membrane of the house. This is very important otherwise that room or area will definitely get cold and you will waste your heat. There is special belly tape available for this. Using duct tape is not "sticky" enough as the belly material is special and duct does not stick properly.
    Be sure to tape up any splits or tears in the underbelly membrane. You can get the belly tape either online or at a mobile home supply store. I got some online for about $10 a roll. Well worth every penny.

    Thanks a lot for your help! It is greatly appreciated
    crickey464's Avatar
    crickey464 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Nov 3, 2009, 07:11 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1 View Post
    Agree, never seen a conversion from gas to electric, changing from NG to propane is about the only conversion I've seen. Any time you make heat with electricity you are using a lot of power, in my area electric heats costs almost 3x propane. keep what you have but consider having a pro evaluate the furnace for safety issues and venting.

    Thanks!
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #10

    Nov 3, 2009, 07:17 PM

    I'm a traitor as well as TK, I would use Gas for Heat.
    If this will ever be mobile, you don't want to rely on Electric, If you don't plan on Mobility, Go Electric?

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