Gas Disconnected - Should I install electric heaters?

Question

I recently closed on a up/down duplex in Avalon, outside of Pittsburgh. The gas was disconnected in 2017 because the prior owner left the place vacant and didn't pay bills. I'm weighing my options, and it seems like reconnecting the gas is expensive and will take several weeks. My other option is to go purely electric, and have mini splits installed. This would probably raise the bills for tenants but they'd be able to cool the place in the summer.

I'd appreciate any words of wisdom!

Thanks,
Stefan

I'd appreciate any words of wisdom!

Thanks,Stefan

Anthony Angotti · Answer

Mini splits have been great for me, but you have to make sure you get the right ones or they will shut off under certain temperatures.

Josh Taylor · Answer

Is the range and water heater gas powered? If not, a multizone minisplit would be a great idea.

Stefan D. · Answer

@Michael Gessner

Ideally, yes.  I only had my contractor who does interiors look at the place, so I didn't know about this until after closing - which definitely exposes a hole in my system.

It's alright though, the cashflow and the ARV will be decent - so I have no regrets.

Michael Gessner · Answer

@Stefan D. Do what needs to be done to get the gas reconnected, you should of gotten estimates and had this cost negotiated in your purchase price. Also  mini splits/heat pumps do not put out enough heat if you area receives colder winters which would render them useless and you may end up with frozen pipes.

Alex Deacon · Answer

@Stefan D. Make sure the property is well insulated otherwise the tenants electric may be very high and its possible that in the very cold months the property wont get warm enough. I have seen countless investors in the Pittsburgh market do this and they pay the price with high turnover and tenant complaints.

Ryan Hannas · Answer

@Matthew Irish-Jones The utility actually disconnects the line at the main and to reconnect they treat it as a new installation.  If the line is too old (which most in Pittsburgh are going to be), you have to run a new one.  And be careful, most plumbers can not do this work.  It must be a DOT certified plumber which is not as common (though not difficult to find).

Stefan D. · Answer

@Matthew Irish-Jones The local gas company closed off the gas line because of inactivity.  The first quote I've gotten is $2k - which definitely beats converting the house over to electric

Matthew Irish-Jones · Answer

@Stefan D. call some local plumbers, I don't see why getting it turned on should be that expensive.  Gas lines do not corrode like water lines and unless you have moved a lot of lines around should hold pressure.  If they do not hold pressure or you have leaks, most plumbers can handle testing and pressurizing your system.

Only use licensed and insured people for this kind of work.

Stefan D. · Answer

@Matthew Irish-Jones Most of them are gas.   Thanks for that, I am leaning towards gas now. I'm going to call around for prices this morning

Matthew Irish-Jones · Answer

@Stefan D. You should get the gas reconnected.  Electric heat is expensive and doesn’t distribute heat as well.

Are all of the furnaces and appliances gas?  If so converting to electric will also be pricey.

Gas Disconnected - Should I install electric heaters?

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