NL Housing is continuing efforts to convert existing housing units from oil furnaces to electric heat.

Since 2009, 352 housing units have been converted from oil to electric, with another 71 units expected to be converted this fiscal year.

According to NLHC, the average cost of switching from oil to electric per unit is $9,500, and overall long-term cost savings will vary depending on unit size, the number of occupants per unit and the cost of oil vs electricity.

NL Housing says it anticipates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per unit to be in the range of 4 to 6 tonnes annually. Tenants will continue to receive a heat subsidy, regardless of whether they heat with oil or electricity.

The majority of NL Housing units currently use electric heat.