Are you wondering what type of heating fuel you should use to heat your home? In the U.S., many homes use heating oil or propane gas as their primary source of energy. Propane gas is most common in homes in rural areas, while heating oil is most often used to heat homes in the Northeast.
Although it might seem like “fuel is fuel” when it comes to heating, there are some notable differences between oil and propane gas heat. Knowing how the two fuel sources are different, the pros and cons of each and the challenges that can come with switching from one to the other can help you determine which is the best option for your home’s heating system.
Oil Heating
Oil heat is an efficient and safe way to heat your home. This fuel is non-explosive and very stable, effectively addressing some safety concerns homeowners have with using other fuels. In addition to warming your space, you can use heating oil to heat water and use it in systems like radiators, boilers and forced air.
These systems rely on furnaces or boilers to ignite the oil to create warm air, which moves through vents and ductwork to heat your home. Oil heating systems can also heat water or convert it to steam. The system then sends the steam or water through radiators or pipe networks to generate heat throughout the house.
What Are the Benefits of Oil Heat?
From increased efficiency to monetary savings, families can face multiple advantages by utilizing oil. Benefits of oil heat include:
- Increased safety: A significant benefit of heating oil is the enhanced safety it provides. This fuel does not leak carbon monoxide and eliminates the possibility of an explosion. Additionally, oil furnaces omit several warning signs before administering harmful gases, providing time to address the issue before experiencing harmful effects. The enhanced safety of heating oil makes it an excellent choice for homeowners, especially those who live in Maryland and similar areas that experience long and intense winters. By choosing heating oil, you can feel secure knowing your family is comfortable and safe.
- Fast warming capabilities: For many homeowners, finding a fast-working solution is vital. You want to feel comfortable in your space and be able to quickly adjust the temperature to meet your needs. Oil heat can warm your home very quickly because it burns hotter than other sources. This quickened process lets you get comfortable and remain cozy for more extended periods. It also means you use less fuel at a time to achieve your desired temperature.
- Economic benefits: Heating oil’s efficient warming capabilities enable you to achieve monetary savings by requiring you to use less fuel at one time. Using less fuel means your stock will last longer, reducing the need to buy fuel frequently. The price of fuel often fluctuates, but the long-lasting benefits of heating oil empower you to buy when it’s more affordable and keep a reliable stock until you’re ready to purchase again.
- Longer life expectancy: These heating systems feature durable designs, allowing them to last for up to three decades with the proper service and maintenance. Using the appropriate size furnace for your home can maximize your furnace’s life span while ensuring you remain as comfortable as possible. Along with enjoying the convenience of a long-lasting system, you can find monetary savings in the long run by avoiding the need to purchase another every few years.
- Better for the environment: Using cleaner fuel benefits the environment and your health because they give off fewer or no emissions. The heating oil industry aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, effectively reducing carbon footprints. As an added bonus, you can often detect possible issues before you experience heat oil spills or furnace breakdowns by the various warning signs these systems emit. This further empowers you to prevent harmful results from occurring in your home or the environment.
Switching to Oil Heat
While there are many benefits to choosing heating oil, it’s worth noting the challenges you may encounter during the switching process:
- Initial costs: Installing a new oil heat system can be costly. In addition to investing in the furnace, you will need to purchase other equipment, such as an oil tank. While choosing an oil heat furnace can provide long-term benefits, the upfront costs can pose a challenge for some homeowners.
- Ongoing fuel costs: Fuel prices often vary throughout the year. While this is usually the case for any type of fuel, oil heat can face significant increases, especially during peak times. Heating oil prices are likely to increase as colder weather approaches, often from October through March. These fluctuations can make it challenging for some homeowners to effectively plan their spending. However, you can create a schedule to suit your needs because heating oil stocks can last longer than other fuels. For example, you can purchase a large amount of heating oil in the summer when prices are often lower to avoid needing to purchase any during peak seasons later in the year. You can also opt for fuel delivery with a reliable provider that offers transparent pricing to avoid this issue.
Natural Gas
Gas heating is another common method for homeowners. More than 71 million consumers in the country rely on natural gas for water heating, air conditioning, heating, cooking and similar household uses. Natural gas furnaces can efficiently heat homes and are an affordable option for many people.
Natural gas furnaces work by piping fuel from outside into your system. The furnace directs the gas flow to a burner which ignites the gas to a controlled flame. The heat moves from the burning fuel into a narrow chamber and circulates into your house through vents and ductwork. Switching to natural gas systems can make sense for homeowners who are using older fossil fuel systems and looking to increase efficiency and comfort.
What Are the Benefits of Natural Gas?
In many cases, homeowners will benefit from using heating oil. However, it’s worth noting the various benefits of natural gas to ensure you make the most informed decision possible. Benefits of natural gas furnaces include:
- Domestic availability: Natural gas is a readily available resource, making it a great option to ensure you always have the fuel you need to stay comfortable. Thankfully, homeowners in Maryland can also find affordable heating oil because Northeast locations have quick access to supply depots, refineries and pipelines that produce this fuel.
- Low costs: A new gas furnace averages under $6,000, but some homeowners can pay much less if they only need the furnace unit. Energy-efficient models typically have a higher price tag but offer enhanced performance and efficiency. Small heating oil furnaces can start around $3,200, with prices increasing with larger or more energy-efficient models. The lower initial price point of natural gas systems can be a benefit for many people. However, it’s worth remembering that heating oil systems have prolonged life spans, which can equate to significant savings over time.
- Reliability: Homeowners report using gas furnaces for a median of six months of the year. For homeowners in Maryland, this provides reassurance that you can use the system when you need it most. Colder seasons can span around this length of time, highlighting these systems as reliable for the fall and winter. However, when it comes to long-term reliability, these systems are less promising. About a quarter of these systems reach the end of their lifespans by the end of the tenth year of ownership, which is often half as long as homeowners expect them to last. Heating oil systems can last up to 30 years or longer with the proper maintenance and care.
Despite the benefits of natural gas, there are also several drawbacks. Natural gas furnaces emit carbon dioxide during operation. Along with impacting the environment, these emissions can affect the health of you and your loved ones. These systems also often have a shorter life span, meaning that although you may save money on the initial purchase, you may spend more money by needing to replace your system more frequently.
Heating Oil vs. Natural Gas: Which Should I Choose?
Should you heat your home with oil or propane? When it comes to picking the right furnace for your home, the answer depends on what you are currently using and whether you are planning on replacing your current system. As you examine your heating oil vs. natural gas calculator, consider the energy efficiency of both natural gas and heating oil. Look at the upfront cost of an oil or natural gas-burning furnace, the cost of installing an oil or natural gas tank on your property and the cost of the fuel itself. Another thing to consider is if you have other appliances, like a fireplace or pool, that need fuel.
Oil furnaces and gas furnaces differ when in efficiency, which affects the price. Typically, more fuel-efficient furnaces have a higher price tag than less efficient models. For instance, oil furnaces can have a higher initial price tag because they offer durability, reliability and efficiency. You’ll save money over time because the systems are less expensive to run, and you can avoid buying a new unit for several decades with the proper care.
The process for switching to either fuel is also a worthy consideration. Homeowners who already use heating oil can benefit from continuing and maintaining their system or investing in upgrades and repairs rather than switching to propane. Homeowners using other fuel sources must weigh the pros and cons of switching to heating oil or converting other home equipment. For instance, if you use propane to heat your home, you’ll likely see more benefits if you also convert equipment like cooking appliances, hot water heaters, clothes dryers and similar pieces to propane. If you need to make a significant switch regardless, consider oil heat to see long-term benefits and savings.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
You should also consider furnace efficiency when evaluating models. A metric known as Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) measures a furnace’s overall efficiency. AFUE is the ratio of the heat produced by the furnace compared to the amount of fuel it uses every year. If a furnace has an AFUE of 90%, it can convert 90% of the fuel it uses to heat while the remaining 10% goes up a chimney or elsewhere.
Per the Federal Trade Commission’s regulations, new furnace models need to prominently display their AFUE so that you can compare and contrast the ratings among different models. AFUE ratings differ for gas and oil furnaces. An oil furnace needs to have an AFUE of 85% or higher to be an Energy Star appliance. A gas furnace used in the Southern part of the U.S. (which includes Maryland) needs an AFUE of 90% or higher to get the Energy Star rating.
Find the Right Solution for Your Home With Southern Maryland Oil
In many cases, heating oil is an excellent solution for Maryland homeowners. If you need to replace your existing system, investing in an efficient heating oil system can enhance your at-home comfort while bringing long-term cost and energy savings.
After making the switch to a durable and reliable system, you’ll need to consider how to obtain your fuel. Getting heating oil to your home can be convenient thanks to services such as automatic delivery and same-day or next-day delivery* from Southern Maryland Oil.
Southern Maryland Oil is a locally-owned business with more than 120 years of trusted service. With helpful and knowledgeable employees, live support at any time and financing options to meet any budget, you can feel confident in our services.
SMO Energy offers services including propane delivery and heating oil delivery, furnace replacement and HVAC maintenance. We also perform in-home energy consultations where we will assess your current heating system and your home’s size to help you choose the best equipment and fuel to meet your needs. To learn more about heating oil or propane gas, or to schedule a furnace tune-up, contact us today.
*No delivery fee applies to all deliveries of 100 gallons or more, same-day delivery is applicable to a $35 fee. **Same-day and next-day delivery services are subject to change based on weather conditions. Unsafe road conditions create an unnecessary risk to SMO drivers and the environment.