This has been a popular debate between many consumers: Is it better to use natural gas heating systems or is it better to use oil heat? These questions cannot be answered fairly if we do not compare the two options carefully.
Environmentally Friendly
Oil heating systems use crude oil as the main raw material. On the other hand, gas systems use methane as the main fuel source. These two facts mean a lot to the environment. Methane is a greenhouse gas that has the ability to trap heat in the atmosphere—up to 20 times more heat in comparison to the carbon dioxide that is released by oil heat equipment. According to newscientist.com, more than 12% of the methane gas typically used in heating systems dissipates into the environment because of leakage that occurs while it is transferred via the nation’s 300,000 miles of pipelines.
Clear Billing
Oil heating bills are mostly straightforward. Companies bill you specifically for the gallons of oil you receive. In comparison, utility gas bills can be a pain to look at. They often contain lines and lines of charge terms that could easily confuse a consumer. An advantage of oil heat billing is that it shows you what you are exactly paying for, unlike utility gas bills. In addition, The Consumer Energy Council of America, or CECA, also recommends oil.
Personal Service
Oil heat has local distributors such as PFO, while the utility gas company can often be a big bureaucratic entity. Local distributorship means that you can get personalized and quick service with personal knowledge of your heating system. (This is not often the case with utility gas companies that can take a long time to respond to service calls.)
Safety
Oil heat systems produce lower air emissions and can be placed anywhere that is convenient without the danger of explosion and leakage. System malfunctions are easily detected via smoke, soot, or odor before they can release levels of carbon monoxide (CO) that are dangerous to humans. Oil systems have a safety record backed by millions of consumers. Natural gas can be explosive and its fumes can be lethal when inhaled. A malfunction in utility gas heating systems is quite hard to detect. There is often no warning of a problem in the system before carbon monoxide is released.
Oil heat is safer, more environmentally friendly, cost-efficient, and it supports local businesses. In the great oil versus heat debate, oil is the clear winner. When it comes to choosing your fuel oil supplier, trust the team that has been the area’s leader since 1941.