Besides the favorable cost of natural gas, there are good reasons for converting an electric stove to gas in the Phoenix area. Homeowners who convert, do so to save money on energy or may prefer cooking with gas.
The good news is that it’s possible to make the switch from electric to gas without a lot of hassle. If you have gas appliances already or the homebuilder stubbed out a gas line behind your electric stove, time and expenses will be minimal.
Things to Consider When Converting To Gas
Before rushing out to buy a gas stove, determine whether you have gas in your home or near your property. If you don’t have either, call Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020. They’ll be able to tell you whether you have service to your home or neighborhood.
When it’s available within a reasonable distance of your home, Southwest Gas will be able to run a gas line to your property. They will charge a fee based on the distance from the closest available line to your yard.
If Southwest Gas doesn’t provide services to your neighborhood or masterplanned community, converting an electric stove to gas is still possible within the realm of financial feasibility. Natural gas and propane are related fuels, and propane is widely available in the Phoenix area. You’ll need a propane conversion kit, a tank and line to the stove.
How It’s Done
You’ll need an electrician and a licensed plumber for converting an electric stove to gas. The electrician has to change the electrical outlet behind the stove from 240 volts to 110 volts. All gas stoves require some electricity and their plugs won’t fit into a 240-volt outlet.
A licensed plumber knows how to handle gas lines so that they don’t pose any risk for leakage. Besides selecting the right pipe based on building codes, the plumber has to make flawless connections.
If gas isn’t nearby, you can use propane in lieu of natural gas. You’ll probably need a permit from the city or county, and a licensed plumber to install the tank and run the line. All jurisdictions have requirements for tank placement and line installation. Your contractor will be able to help you with all of the details.
Reasons for Converting an Electric Stove to Gas
Gas costs much less per unit of energy it provides than electricity, so much so that APS and SRP use gas to generate electricity.
The price of gas doesn’t change from one season to another. SRP and APS raise the electric rates for six of the hottest months here. Cooking with gas in the summer costs less than cooking with electricity.
Gas stoves cool down instantly. The last thing homeowners want in their homes in the summer is more heat to pay to get rid of. An electric stove burner takes time to heat up and time to cool down. Converting an electric stove to gas gives you instant heat when you need it. The moment the burner is off, it stops creating heat.
Even though it costs to convert, over time, the lower cooling costs and the incentive to cook at home will offset the switch from electric to gas.
Foodies know the benefits of converting an electric stove to gas. Temperature control is instant and precise with gas, which gives you the ability to master any recipe. You can also expand your cooking repertoire with a gas stove because it uses flames and has a wide heat range.
In the Phoenix area, converting an electric stove to gas can make personal and financial sense. If you’re ready to run a gas line to your new kitchen or stove...
Contact Forrest Anderson Today!
