Comparing Gas and Oil Burning FurnacesWhen comparing gas and oil burning furnaces, you’ll find that there are advantages and disadvantages to each. If you’re planning to build a new home or you’re orchestrating a renovation, you may be researching the best type of heating system to choose. Following are some comparisons that’ll help you decide.

Heating With Oil

While the sulfur content of heating oil has been reduced markedly over the last 20 years, and oil burner emissions are likewise lower than ever, oil remains a rather expensive source of home heating fuel. Much of our oil supply derives from overseas markets, which can fluctuate, as can price.

Advantages of heating with oil are as follows:

  • Oil furnaces are less expensive than those that burn gas.
  • It’s relatively easy to get service and maintenance for oil-burning furnaces.
  • Oil burns hotter than gas, giving off more heat per each BTU for an equivalent amount of fuel.

Disadvantages of burning oil are as follows:

  • Oil is more expensive than gas.
  • An on-site tank to store the oil is necessary.
  • Oil is a dirty fuel. You’ll need to keep soot and dirt buildup on the furnace under control.

Keep in mind that oil furnaces tend to be less efficient than gas models. The newest, most efficient oil furnaces reach about 90 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), while the most efficient gas furnaces are around 100 percent.

Heating With Gas

Advantages of heating with gas include:

  • Lower cost of gas
  • More efficient furnaces
  • Low-maintenance furnaces that are also cleaner and quieter than their oil-burning equivalents

Disadvantages of heating with gas involve:

  • Presence of gas lines necessary.
  • Gas doesn’t burn as hot as oil for an equivalent amount of fuel.
  • Gas furnaces are more expensive.

One thing to bear in mind when comparing gas and oil burning furnaces is that both are much more efficient than they were even 10 years ago.

Weather Makers Heating and Air Conditioning takes pride in helping our customers make important decisions pertaining to home comfort. We’ve been serving Southside and North Carolina residents for more than 40 years.

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