Which is better, oil or gas? While there is no way to say which is “better,” there are several aspects to consider when choosing between the two big dogs of the heating business. When determining which fuel and system are ideal for you, examine supply and use considerations, the equipment required to heat with each, and the general functioning and efficiency of various fuels and systems.

Use and Supply

Natural gas is significantly more widely utilized for residential heating than oil, with about half of the US now utilizing this sort of fuel. On the other hand, oil is concentrated mostly in New England, accounting for less than 10% of the country’s heating fuel consumption, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Natural gas is more convenient in terms of delivery, with a conduit linking the fuel supply straight into your home from your area’s natural gas utility provider. This means that you only pay for what you use at the time, and there is no need to be concerned about your fuel supply running out, as opposed to oil, which must be bought in advance and supplied by truck to your home oil tank.

Although it must be paid for at the time of delivery, oil costs are more flexible than gas pricing since you may shop about for a better deal from multiple providers. Some oil suppliers will also allow you to lock in your pricing per gallon at the start of the year. If the price is low throughout the contract period, take advantage of it! On the other hand, if the price is too expensive now you join up, wait for it to fall again. If you sign the contract at a period of high oil prices, you will be locked in at that rate for the whole year, removing the possibility to pay a lesser price when prices fall again.

Service & Equipment

Private oil tanks When compared to current wall-hanging gas condensing boilers, an oil heating system’s boiler will almost always be bigger than a natural gas boiler for the same sized residence. A new liner for your chimney should be included with new boiler installation to protect the building from damaging exhaust and moisture, however, with a gas boiler, the chimney may be bypassed for direct venting from the boiler to the outdoors. In terms of venting, an oil boiler needs a bit greater space surrounding the boiler to draw fresh air into the system. In a gas system, fresh air is drawn directly into the boiler from the outside.

These variations may not be noticed if stored in an unfinished basement, but if placed in living rooms, you may detect some chilly air circulating around the space near your oil boiler; this is due to the vent intake blowing air within the home. boilers that condensate an oil boiler, which is often made of cast iron, also necessitate the use of a heavy metal oil tank, as previously mentioned. These tanks can be built in your basement or buried near your home, but they must be monitored since they can corrode and leak over time.

Maintenance and cleaning

While both oil and gas boilers need to be maintained on a yearly basis, the related costs may differ. Because of the way the fuel burns, oil boilers will constantly produce soot, which must be cleaned and removed on a regular basis to avoid any loss of efficacy or efficiency. Oil boilers will also have an oil filter that has to be replaced or cleaned on a regular basis. Gas boilers, on the other hand, still require servicing, but the amount of cleaning necessary is substantially lower owing to the size of the boiler and the manner the fuel burns.

Efficiency & Operation

Natural gas and oil are two extremely distinct sources of fuel, even in terms of how they are measured. Therms are used to measure gas, while gallons are used to measure oil. A gas condensing boiler has the potential to be more efficient.

Oil is a more efficient fuel source than natural gas, with around 40% more energy per unit. However, when properly constructed, a gas condensing boiler can be more efficient than an oil boiler, with around 95 percent vs. 87 percent AFUE efficiency. A gas condensing boiler may provide more heat per unit of fuel.

While oil boilers heat water to a certain high temperature, gas boilers have far greater heating flexibility. When correctly built and configured, a condensing boiler can heat water to much lower temperatures, lowering the amount of fuel required to effectively heat a home. Furthermore, when correctly constructed and controlled, a condensing gas boiler may condense residual heat in the water returned to the boiler, saving part of the initial energy and heat, and recycling it back into the heating system.

ALL HEATING ONE

Overall all heating one , oil and gas heat are two quite different approaches to get the warm and comforting environment you desire. Their differences may sway you toward one option or the other, but it’s always in your best interest to locate a reputable heating contractor to help you make the best selection for you. For the sake of best advice contact All Heating One our advisors will help you figure out whether an oil boiler installation or gas boiler installation is best for your home.