Why Heat Your Home With Heating Oil?
There are so many heating options nowadays which gives us the luxury to feel comfortable, regardless of how cold it gets outside. The heating systems and furnaces that manufacturers are producing are becoming more energy efficient. So, we can keep our home at a comfortable temperature level while paying less to feel this way.
However, homeowners still have a choice on what type of fuel they want to use to heat their home. This is especially true for homeowners who are building a home. This is also true for homeowners who have the choice whether or not to convert their home to another fuel source. Many homeowners, who use fuel oil, opt to stay with heating oil. Allentown PA dealers claim that there are a few reasons why homeowners do this.
However, homeowners still have a choice on what type of fuel they want to use to heat their home. This is especially true for homeowners who are building a home. This is also true for homeowners who have the choice whether or not to convert their home to another fuel source. Many homeowners, who use fuel oil, opt to stay with heating oil. Allentown PA dealers claim that there are a few reasons why homeowners do this.
Heating Oil is Safe
Homeowners who use heating oil as their source of fuel appreciate what it has to offer. Heating oil offers a sense of safety, especially when compared to other fuels. Natural gas users always have to worry about gas leaks and even natural gas explosions. Natural gas companies claim that improperly maintained systems are the main cause of explosions. However, even if you're careful and conduct maintenance on your heating system to prevent a gas leak, you can never guarantee if your neighbor's heater has been properly serviced or not. If it is not maintained, it can lead to gas leaks and gas explosions. When a home deals with an explosion, more than just that one house is affected. The whole neighborhood is affected. This causes many homeowners safety concerns.
Homes that use heating oil do have to keep their family members safe by scheduling annual tune-ups and addressing issues when they first appear. However, heating oil is not explosive. You could even light a match, throw it into a tank full of heating oil, and it will simply go out. It will act as if you had thrown the lit match into a bucket of water. This gives homeowners peace of mind because they do not have to worry about their homes exploding.
Another aspect that causes homeowners who use natural gas to feel worried about their fuel source is CO poisoning. This is a reality that impacts many families each and every year. It is undetected and, unfortunately, natural gas systems give no warning signs that there is an issue until it is too late. Heating oil systems give clear indicators long before any CO is leaked into the environment. Furthermore, the oil fumes that are inhaled are not fatal. This is not the case with natural gas fumes.
Homes that use heating oil do have to keep their family members safe by scheduling annual tune-ups and addressing issues when they first appear. However, heating oil is not explosive. You could even light a match, throw it into a tank full of heating oil, and it will simply go out. It will act as if you had thrown the lit match into a bucket of water. This gives homeowners peace of mind because they do not have to worry about their homes exploding.
Another aspect that causes homeowners who use natural gas to feel worried about their fuel source is CO poisoning. This is a reality that impacts many families each and every year. It is undetected and, unfortunately, natural gas systems give no warning signs that there is an issue until it is too late. Heating oil systems give clear indicators long before any CO is leaked into the environment. Furthermore, the oil fumes that are inhaled are not fatal. This is not the case with natural gas fumes.
Fuel Supplies Are Abundant
With natural gas users, there is always the possibility that supplies cannot meet the demands. This means that homeowners frequently have to find alternative ways to heat their home when there is an interruption in natural gas supplies. Homeowners tend to use space heaters or other forms of space heating which can be very expensive to use.
Many homeowners question whether or not global events such as weather or political issues affect the supplies of heating oil. Fortunately, most of the fuel oil that the United States uses is produced locally. If not, it is imported from Canada. Furthermore, there are many barrels of oil in reserves. This means that heating oil supplies can meet the demands of those that need fuel oil to heat their home.
Many homeowners question whether or not global events such as weather or political issues affect the supplies of heating oil. Fortunately, most of the fuel oil that the United States uses is produced locally. If not, it is imported from Canada. Furthermore, there are many barrels of oil in reserves. This means that heating oil supplies can meet the demands of those that need fuel oil to heat their home.
Fuel Oil is Environmentally Friendly
Heating oil has made various changes in the last 20 years. One of these changes is the amount of sulfur that it contains. Twenty years ago, fuel oil contained about 1%. Currently, it contains about 0.5%. This change has made heating oil more environmentally friendly. In fact, research indicates that heating oil releases less emissions throughout the entire process of being used (production to transport) when compared to natural gas. Furthermore, the use of new low sulfur heating oil blends in combination of biofuels, such as biodiesel, which makes the use of fuel oil even more environmentally friendly.
Heating Oil Is A Clean, Reliable Fuel
Heating oil nowadays burns cleaner than ever. This means that there is no soot. Also, you will not smell any odors or find any dirt being produced. This is, of course, for systems that are properly maintained. Homes have heating oil tanks which means that you can store heating oil on your property to use at some point in the future. You will not have to deal with interrupted service when you find a reputable heating oil delivery company.
Heating Oil Is Energy Efficient
There are many ways that make heating oil more energy efficient than any other type of heating fuel. First, heating systems last far longer. They usually have a lifespan of approximately 30 years or so for systems that are adequately maintained. Furnaces that run on natural gas only last for about 12-15 years. This aspect alone makes fuel oil much more energy efficient because homeowners will not have to replace their systems as frequently. Secondly, fuel oil systems have higher AFUE ratings. They rate between 85%-96%. This means that $0.85-$0.96 of every dollar that you spend on heating is actually going towards heating your home. This is far more energy efficient when compared to natural gas systems that have lower AFUE ratings. Thirdly, a heating oil flame burns about 400 degrees hotter than a natural gas flame. This means that a heating oil system can warm your home much faster than a natural gas system or electric system. Overall, heating oil systems allow you to use less oil and pay reduced home heating costs.
The Past, Present, and Future of Heating Oil
Out of the 10 million homes in the US that use heating oil for heating, over 300,000 were built in the last 10 years. This shows that heating oil is one of the most popular and modern ways to heat your home! 25% of all crude oil is dedicated to heating oil, which is only second to gasoline!
As the popularity of heating oil increases, so does the price. There has been a steady climb in prices since the 1990s. According to a 2015 study, Connecticut has the most expensive heating oil costs in the country averaging $4.10-$4.40/gallon. The Northeastern region of the US accounts for most of the heating oil used in the country. This should be no surprise as the Northeast is home to extremely cold winters. Pennsylvania alone has 1.1 million homes that use heating oil!
Overall, the future of the price of heating oil will very much depend on the price of crude oil. To have a good understanding of where the price of heating oil is going, you need to understand the crude oil market as well.
As the popularity of heating oil increases, so does the price. There has been a steady climb in prices since the 1990s. According to a 2015 study, Connecticut has the most expensive heating oil costs in the country averaging $4.10-$4.40/gallon. The Northeastern region of the US accounts for most of the heating oil used in the country. This should be no surprise as the Northeast is home to extremely cold winters. Pennsylvania alone has 1.1 million homes that use heating oil!
Overall, the future of the price of heating oil will very much depend on the price of crude oil. To have a good understanding of where the price of heating oil is going, you need to understand the crude oil market as well.
When to Buy Heating Oil
When you buy heating oil can really make a difference in how much you’re spending. While the price of heating oil is very hard to predict, there are several ways in which you can beat the average and get oil at a much cheaper price. The easiest way to do this is by filling your tank in the summertime. Typically, oil companies lower their prices in the summer as the demand is much lower. By filling your tank in the summer, you’ll be prepared for any rouge cold weather, and be able to heat your home at a much cheaper cost than if you bought oil in the fall! Filling your tank with heating oil out of season can actually aid in keeping your system healthy too! When the fuel is low in your tank, it starts to pull moisture from the air trapped inside. This can lead to the creation of sediment that can corrode your tank over time. This sediment can also clog fuel lines. The repair costs associated with this are not something you’ll want to deal with.
Another option some people take advantage of is buying oil in bulk. This may be an option you’ve never considered, but when properly stored, heating oil can last 18-24 months! By buying your year’s supply of oil when the prices are lower, you’ll be saving yourself tons of money! The only downside to this option is the high upfront cost. This also typically means you need a storage tank, which is an additional investment. In the long term, this is by far the cheapest option to heat your home.
Another option some people take advantage of is buying oil in bulk. This may be an option you’ve never considered, but when properly stored, heating oil can last 18-24 months! By buying your year’s supply of oil when the prices are lower, you’ll be saving yourself tons of money! The only downside to this option is the high upfront cost. This also typically means you need a storage tank, which is an additional investment. In the long term, this is by far the cheapest option to heat your home.
Heating Oil Delivery Options
There are typically two different options as far as heating delivery goes: one-time, and automatic. Each has their benefits and drawbacks which we will discuss here!
One-Time Delivery
This method is also what’s known as on-demand delivery. The biggest benefit to this type of delivery is you’re never locked into a contract with one oil provider. You just buy oil whenever you need it. The main drawback to this method is the price you’re given, and it’s up to you to remember to order oil. Some oil companies provide customers who are in an automatic plan a discount per gallon of oil. You’re also more subject to price fluctuations in oil. An emergency oil delivery could cost you much more than if you’re on automatic.
Automatic Delivery
Just like the name implies, automatic delivery is well, automatic. You typically enter in a contract for a specified amount of time with an oil company and they calculate your oil needs based on some information you provide. When the system estimates that you’re running low on oil, you’ll be contacted in order to schedule an oil delivery. The best part about enrolling in an automatic plan is you never have to worry about running out of oil! In addition, as we mentioned previously, most companies offer discounts for automatic customers! This makes automatic delivery the most budget friendly option.
One-Time Delivery
This method is also what’s known as on-demand delivery. The biggest benefit to this type of delivery is you’re never locked into a contract with one oil provider. You just buy oil whenever you need it. The main drawback to this method is the price you’re given, and it’s up to you to remember to order oil. Some oil companies provide customers who are in an automatic plan a discount per gallon of oil. You’re also more subject to price fluctuations in oil. An emergency oil delivery could cost you much more than if you’re on automatic.
Automatic Delivery
Just like the name implies, automatic delivery is well, automatic. You typically enter in a contract for a specified amount of time with an oil company and they calculate your oil needs based on some information you provide. When the system estimates that you’re running low on oil, you’ll be contacted in order to schedule an oil delivery. The best part about enrolling in an automatic plan is you never have to worry about running out of oil! In addition, as we mentioned previously, most companies offer discounts for automatic customers! This makes automatic delivery the most budget friendly option.
How Much Oil Will My Home Require?
When planning your yearly budget, you probably want to know how much you’re going to spend on heating oil for your home. Well we’re here to help you figure out exactly how much you’re going to spend! The average furnace burns anywhere from 0.8-1.7 gallons per hour when in use. You can multiply this number by the hours per day you keep your heat on, and then multiply that by the number of days you estimate you keep your heat on. This will give you an idea of how many gallons of heating oil you’ll need for a season. You must then look up the average cost of heating oil in your area. You should now be able to fully estimate how much you’ll spend on heating oil!
Are There Different Types of Home Heating Oil?
There are several different types of heating oil on the market that different providers use to fill your tanks. The difference between them is important and is something you as a homeowner should educate yourself on. The most commonly used heating oil type is what’s known as #2 heating oil. This is what’s known as a distillate fuel oil as during the refining process, oil is heated until it evaporates and then condenses back into a liquid fuel. These types of oils are typically distilled from raw crude oil. #3 fuel oil also falls within this category. Then there’s #5 and #6 which fall into the category of residual fuel oil. This means that they’re what’s left over after refining gasoline, and the other fuel oils. These oils contain many impurities such as water and mineral soil. #4 fuel oil is a mixture of both distillate fuel oils and residual fuel oils. And last but not least, #1 fuel oil is most comparable to kerosene. The overwhelming majority of fuel companies use some sort of #2 blend of oil, but it’s still important that you know the differences between the types.
Finding the Best Heating Oil Prices Near You
The most important aspect of having your home heated by heating oil is the company you choose to give your business to. There are several key factors that go into finding the best heating oil prices near you. You should first investigate the plans available by the company you’re thinking of choosing (like the automatic, and on-demand delivery options discussed earlier). This will be very important as often times the prices can greatly vary from company to company based on which plan you choose. If you decide to choose an automatic plan, look over your agreement to see if there are any fees associated with ending the contract early. Fees like that can sometimes be hiding in the contract and by the time you notice them, it’s too late. While all this information is great, you may be asking yourself, “but how do I know if I’m getting a good deal on heating oil?” Well to answer this, you have to not only look at the prices of a company’s heating oil, but also any other services offered. When enrolled in an automatic plan, some companies also offer service plans to go along with it. While not an industry standard, if you find a company that does this, it could be a nice bonus!
After looking at plans, pricing, and services, you should talk to the company you’re thinking of signing up with to see how their customer service is. If you ever have an emergency, will it be taken care of? When entering in a contract (or even just for choosing an on-demand company), you should always be sure they’ll have your back when you need it most. The last thing you want is to enter in a several month long contract and be unhappy and dissatisfied the whole time. In regards to the pricing of your oil, you should also see whether they offer fixed or capped prices. Fixed prices are exactly how they sound, you pay a fixed rate for heating oil regardless of the fluctuations. Capped prices are where you and the provider agree on a maximum cost you’re willing to pay, and if the price is lower than you limit, you pay that price. The advantage to this plan is pretty obvious as you may be paying a lower price for oil some months, but may be paying more other months.
Overall, you want to make sure your oil provider will give you oil at a reasonable price, and ensure that you’ll never be cold in the winter!
After looking at plans, pricing, and services, you should talk to the company you’re thinking of signing up with to see how their customer service is. If you ever have an emergency, will it be taken care of? When entering in a contract (or even just for choosing an on-demand company), you should always be sure they’ll have your back when you need it most. The last thing you want is to enter in a several month long contract and be unhappy and dissatisfied the whole time. In regards to the pricing of your oil, you should also see whether they offer fixed or capped prices. Fixed prices are exactly how they sound, you pay a fixed rate for heating oil regardless of the fluctuations. Capped prices are where you and the provider agree on a maximum cost you’re willing to pay, and if the price is lower than you limit, you pay that price. The advantage to this plan is pretty obvious as you may be paying a lower price for oil some months, but may be paying more other months.
Overall, you want to make sure your oil provider will give you oil at a reasonable price, and ensure that you’ll never be cold in the winter!
Home Heating Oil
Throughout this article, we’ve described the many advantages of using heating oil within your homes. We hope that you have a little bit better of an understanding of not only the advantages of heating oil, but also the different types and also how to find the best supplier and prices. Ultimately the choice is still for you to make, but making an educated decision is much better than making one without any prior knowledge. Heating oil continues to be one of the most popular methods of heating the homes of people across the country, and with more and more homes being built with heating oil furnaces, odds are your home uses it too!