hogmike
Jan 7, 2010, 05:33 PM
I have a combine central air and forced air furnace.I am wondering if a electric boiler can be connected so as to just use the electricity.to avoid charges for gas delivery
hvac1000
Jan 7, 2010, 06:41 PM
Yes you can install an electric boiler BUT usually electric cost more than propane. The only way to find out is to calculate the cost of electric in BTU's and the cost of the gas you use in BTU's.
Do not be deceived by the following statement
Electric heating units operate at close to 100% efficiency while gas furnace will have a usual 80 to 95% efficiency so you will have to know the efficiency of your gas furnace to do the calculation.
To do the boiler thing you will have to add a hot water coil to your duct work along with other parts like a expansion tank etc. You might comtact your local heating professionals for estimates.
mygirlsdad77
Jan 7, 2010, 07:07 PM
Initial cost of installing the electric hot water heat,unit, coil in furnace plenum, piping, antifreeze, and all other components that will be required to make this work correctly will most likely outway the cost of having lp delivered for many years. Instead of adding the hot water heat to existing lp furnace, you may just think about replacing the existing furnace with an electric furnace, and be done with lp all together. I honestly don't suggest this, but it would be cheaper (product cost, and install wise, but most likely cost you more in energy bills in the long run).
This is all assuming you don't have the electric boiler already. If you already have the electric boiler, sizeing issues may come into play if the boiler is already heating areas of the home.