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Gas vs. Oil: What’s the Best Furnace or Boiler for Your Home?

A woman adjusting the thermostat in a home with her smart phone.

It’s no secret that in Hicksville, NY, homeowners experience beautiful weather during the spring and summer months. However, you can also say the opposite for winter. When the frigid temperatures unavoidably start rolling in, you’ll want to make sure that you have a proper way to heat your home.

If you want to upgrade your heating source but are stuck deciding between oil heat vs. gas heat, you might feel overwhelmed. Despite this, there’s no reason to worry. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of both.

1. Fuel Costs

When it comes to the cost of oil vs. gas heat, it’s essential first to consider the price of the fuel source. During the blustering winter months, fuel costs can add up. Oil furnaces tend to cost more than natural gas heating overall. However, heating oil prices are subject to more supply and demand fluctuations than natural gas. Consider these variables when looking at the cost of oil vs. gas heat.
The upfront costs of oil vs. gas heat will also vary depending on where you live, the brand you choose, efficiency, and other factors. In general, the cost of installing a gas furnace is less than the cost of an oil furnace. For more information about installations and pricing, contact a Long Island heating expert.

2. Efficiency Ratings

In the hopes of saving both energy and money, many homeowners today are carefully looking for the efficiency ratings of their HVAC units. AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a rating that measures a heating system’s combustion.
On average, natural gas furnaces are more efficient than their oil counterparts. Gas furnaces have AFUE ratings of 89 to 98 percent, while oil furnaces have ratings of 80 to 90 percent. The higher the rating, the higher the efficiency. In regards to the efficiency of oil heat vs. gas heat, natural gas is the clear winner.

3. Necessary Maintenance

Energy efficiency is necessary to consider, but none of that truly matters unless your furnace can work at peak performance. If you want to guarantee that your heating system is functioning correctly, maintenance is necessary. However, the amount of care needed varies when it comes to oil heat vs. gas heat.
As gas furnaces are considered clean, they require minimal maintenance throughout the year. On the other hand, oil burns less clean than gas. Oil furnaces require more thorough and frequent maintenance since dirt and other debris can gather inside the system. Oil vs. gas heat costs can also depend on how much maintenance is necessary.

4. Home Safety

When deciding between oil heat vs. gas heat, the safety of your home and family is always a priority. Natural gas heat produces carbon monoxide, which can be harmful and even fatal if inhaled. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, chest pain, and nausea.
Although gas furnaces are built with safety mechanisms in place to prevent a CO leak, a damaged system can pose a danger to you and your family.
An oil furnace, on the other hand, does not release any dangerous fumes that you have to worry about.

Contact a Heating Expert

Now that you know the cost of oil vs. gas heat and the pros and cons of both, it’s time to reach out to HVAC professionals with your satisfaction in mind. Gold Star Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has been serving the Long Island, NY, area for more than ten years.
We know how important and difficult deciding on the best type of heating system can be. Our skilled technicians will answer all questions you might have about gas or oil heating. Plus, we’ll help you decide on a heating system that meets your needs. We perform all heating services, from replacements to installing gas furnace repair parts. Get in touch with us online or call us to schedule an appointment today!

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