Oil‑to‑Gas vs Electrification for Forest Hills Homes

Thinking about ditching your oil tank this season but not sure if you should convert to gas or go all‑electric? In Forest Hills, many homes already use gas, yet a meaningful share still runs on oil, so you’re not alone in weighing the tradeoffs. This guide gives you a clear, local look at costs, comfort, incentives, and resale angles so you can choose the best path for your home. Let’s dive in.

Forest Hills heating today and where policy is headed

Forest Hills has a mix of single‑family homes, multifamily houses, and co‑ops. Local estimates show roughly 75% of homes heat with natural gas, about 10% use oil, and around 8% use electricity as the primary fuel. You can see neighborhood snapshots on heating fuel use via resources like HeatFleet’s Forest Hills page.

New York is pushing new buildings toward clean energy. The state’s recent law phases in all‑electric requirements for most new low‑rise homes starting in 2026. This policy does not force you to replace working oil or gas equipment today, but it does signal long‑term momentum toward electrification. You can read a plain‑English overview of the state action in this policy coverage.

Option 1: Convert oil to natural gas

What an oil‑to‑gas conversion involves

Converting typically includes confirming nearby gas service, installing a service line and meter if needed, removing or decommissioning the oil tank, replacing the burner with a gas boiler or furnace, and updating venting. The details depend on your house and whether the street already has a gas main. For a helpful overview of steps and variables, see HouseLogic’s conversion guide.

Costs and common constraints

Costs vary widely based on gas main distance, tank removal or remediation, chimney work, and appliance choice. If you do not already have a gas service line, trenching and utility coordination can add time and money. A few written quotes from licensed contractors will help you nail down a realistic budget and timeline.

Pros and cons at a glance

• Pros: Often a lower upfront cost than full-home electrification, and you can usually reuse existing radiators or ducts. Natural gas systems commonly have lower operating costs than oil for the same heat output. See an overview of these tradeoffs in HouseLogic’s explainer.
• Cons: You remain on a fossil fuel, with exposure to future rate changes and potential regulatory shifts as the state moves toward electrification. Underground oil tanks can carry environmental and cleanup risk when decommissioned.

Option 2: Electrify with heat pumps

What works in Queens winters

Modern cold‑climate air‑source heat pumps are designed to perform in Northeast winters when properly sized and installed. They come in ducted and ductless mini‑split formats, and you can mix heads or zones to fit your layout. Learn how cold‑climate systems operate at low temperatures from Clean Heat’s overview.

Typical costs and available incentives

Full‑home heat pump retrofits can cost more upfront than a straightforward oil‑to‑gas conversion, especially if electrical panel upgrades are needed. New York retrofit studies show a wide cost range, often several thousand dollars per ton of capacity, depending on system type and project complexity. For a New York City perspective, see Urban Green Council’s cost analysis.

Incentives can close much of the gap. Con Edison offers substantial Clean Heat incentives, often applied as point‑of‑sale discounts from participating contractors. Explore current offers on Con Edison’s Clean Heat page. Federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act may also apply to qualifying equipment. NYSERDA’s summary for homeowners is a good starting point: IRA incentives in New York.

Operating costs and rate options

Your actual operating cost depends on your home’s insulation, your heat pump’s efficiency, and your electric rate. Con Edison’s time‑of‑use plans can reward off‑peak usage, which helps some households run heat pumps more economically. Review current options on Con Edison’s time‑of‑use page, then compare them against your past 12 months of bills.

Which path fits your home

Oil‑to‑gas makes sense when you

• Already have a gas service line or easy access from the street.
• Want the lowest disruption and a familiar heating system.
• Need a near‑term budget solution and plan to reassess later.

Electrification makes sense when you

• Want to reduce on‑site combustion and align with long‑term policy trends.
• Can tap meaningful incentives and possibly time‑of‑use savings.
• Are planning envelope upgrades like insulation and air sealing, which improve heat pump performance.

A simple decision checklist for Forest Hills

• Get 12 months of utility bills and confirm your current fuel, equipment age, and tank location if you have oil.
• Schedule a home energy assessment to size systems correctly and pinpoint air‑sealing or insulation needs.
• Request multiple quotes for both options. Ask contractors to itemize gas line work, tank removal, chimney changes, electrical panel upgrades, and any ductwork or mini‑split heads.
• Confirm incentive eligibility with participating contractors and check stacking rules for utility and federal benefits.
• Compare lifecycle costs, not just the install price. Include maintenance, likely fuel price swings, and your comfort preferences.

Co‑ops, condos, and multifamily notes

If you live in a co‑op or condo, review building rules on exterior units and penetrations before you solicit bids. Many buildings pursue whole‑property incentives or design standards that guide what unit owners can install. Con Edison maintains dedicated multifamily incentives and program details for boards and property managers on its multifamily clean heat page.

Bottom line for Forest Hills buyers and sellers

Both pathways can work in Forest Hills. Oil‑to‑gas can be the lower‑friction, near‑term move if your home already has simple gas access. Electrification can deliver efficient year‑round comfort and long‑term alignment with state policy, and today’s incentives can make it competitive on net cost. Efficient homes may also appeal to buyers, and studies show energy performance can contribute to resale value, as discussed by ENERGY STAR.

If you want help weighing comfort, cost, and resale for a specific property, reach out to the Falchiere Group. Our team pairs broker expertise with hands‑on renovation management so you can make a confident, value‑smart plan.

FAQs

What heating fuels are most common in Forest Hills, Queens?

• Local estimates show most homes use natural gas, with a smaller share on heating oil and a minority on electric heat, as reflected in neighborhood snapshots.

Do New York’s new rules force me to replace an existing gas or oil system now?

• No, the state’s all‑electric requirement applies to most new low‑rise construction starting in 2026, not to functioning systems in existing homes, per policy coverage.

What surprises can add cost to an oil‑to‑gas conversion in Queens?

• Running a new gas service from the street, oil tank removal or remediation, and chimney or venting work are common drivers; see this homeowner checklist for context.

Do heat pumps really work in New York City winters?

• Yes, modern cold‑climate air‑source heat pumps are designed to heat efficiently in low temperatures when properly sized and installed, as outlined by Clean Heat.

What incentives can Forest Hills homeowners use for heat pumps?

• Con Edison offers significant Clean Heat incentives, and federal IRA tax credits may apply; start with Con Edison’s Clean Heat incentives and NYSERDA’s IRA guide.

How should I compare operating costs for a heat pump vs gas in Queens?

• Use your past bills, heat pump efficiency estimates, and your utility’s rate options; Con Edison’s time‑of‑use overview explains off‑peak rates that may lower electric heating costs for some homes.