Are you about to decide between heating oil and natural gas for your home? Each has pros and cons. Heating oil burns hotter, making it ideal for colder climates. Natural gas is usually more efficient and cheaper. Keep reading our guide below to see the difference, and decide what works best for you.

Heating Oil vs. Natural Gas: What’s the Best Way to Heat Your Home?

Your home should feel cozy and warm during cold months. But which fuel is better: heating oil or natural gas? Both are popular choices, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Now let’s look at how each option works, the pros and cons of each, and how to decide which is right for you.

 

A Simple Breakdown of Heating Oil and Natural Gas

To start, let’s talk about what heating oil and natural gas are. There are two different types of fuel used to heat homes. They work in different ways but achieve the same goal—keeping your home warm when it’s cold outside.

 

What Is Heating Oil?

Heating oil is a type of fuel that is burned in a furnace or boiler to produce heat. It’s delivered by truck to your home and stored in a tank, usually in your basement or outside. When you need heat, the heating oil furnace burns the oil to create hot air or hot water, which is sent through your house to keep it warm.

Heating oil is made from crude oil, the same oil that is used to make gasoline. It’s a safe, reliable fuel that provides a lot of heat quickly. Homes that use oil heat often stay warm, even in very cold weather.

 

What Is Natural Gas?

Natural gas is another type of fuel used for heating. Natural gas is pumped through pipelines that come directly to your home. It’s burned in a furnace, just like heating oil, to create heat. Unlike heating oil, you don’t need a storage tank for natural gas.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel, but it burns cleaner than oil. It’s also very convenient because you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel or waiting for a delivery.

Heating Oil vs Natural Gas

 

Pros and Cons of Heating Oil and Natural Gas

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at the pros and cons of each type of fuel.

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Pros of Heating Oil

  1. Burns Hotter: Heating oil provides more heat than natural gas, which is great for very cold climates.
  2. Reliable in Cold Weather: Oil heat works well even when it’s extremely cold outside. Natural gas heating systems sometimes struggle in very low temperatures.
  3. Independence: With heating oil, you aren’t dependent on a gas supply line. You have a tank that lets you control your fuel levels and you no longer have to worry about gas shortages or interruptions.

 

Cons of Heating Oil

  1. Higher Costs: Heating oil prices fluctuate, making it more expensive at times than natural gas. It also requires regular deliveries.
  2. Carbon Emissions: Oil heating produces more emissions than natural gas, which contributes to global warming.
  3. Storage Tank Needed: You’ll need an oil tank for storage, which takes up space and requires maintenance.

 

Pros of Natural Gas

  1. Cleaner Burning: Natural gas produces fewer emissions and is better for the environment than heating oil.
  2. More Convenient: You don’t need to worry about running out of fuel. Natural gas comes directly to your home through gas lines.
  3. Lower Costs: Natural gas prices tend to be more stable and often cheaper than heating oil.

 

Cons of Natural Gas

  1. Conversion Expense: Switching from oil to natural gas could be expensive if you need to install new gas lines and a natural gas furnace.
  2. Less Heat Output: Natural gas doesn’t provide as much heat output as heating oil. It may take longer to heat your home.
  3. Dependence on Supply: If your gas supply is interrupted for any reason, you could lose heat. Unlike oil, which is storable on-site, natural gas relies on external infrastructure.

 

 

How To Make Your Decision

When deciding between heating oil and natural gas, there are several key factors to consider. Think about your home’s location, the size of your home, and your budget. Homes in colder climates may benefit from the higher heat output of heating oil, while anyone looking to cut down their energy bill might prefer the efficiency of natural gas.

If you already have an oil furnace, switching to natural gas might require a major upfront payment. On the other hand, if you’re building a new home or already have access to a natural gas line, installing a natural gas furnace could be a smart move.

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You must also consider the environmental impact. While both fuels are fossil fuels, natural gas produces fewer emissions than heating oil, making it the cleaner option. However, for people concerned about their carbon footprint, exploring other options like electric heating or renewable energy sources could be worth considering.

 

 

Why Domino Fuel Is Your Best Heating Partner

At Domino Fuel, we make home heating easy and reliable. Our dependable oil delivery keeps you warm, and our expert team is ready to assist with furnace maintenance and upgrades.

Need to convert from oil to gas? We’ll make the switch smooth and stress-free. With Domino Fuel, your home stays comfortable year-round with top-notch service and support tailored to your needs.

 

 

FAQs

1. Is heating oil more expensive than natural gas?

Yes, heating oil is often more expensive than natural gas due to factors like oil prices fluctuating and the need for regular deliveries. However, oil produces more heat per gallon than natural gas, making it efficient in colder climates.

 

2. What’s the difference between oil and natural gas heating systems?

Heating oil systems store fuel oil on-site in tanks and require deliveries, whereas natural gas is supplied directly to homes via gas lines. Oil furnaces typically burn fuel hotter than natural gas furnaces, but natural gas heating is generally more efficient and requires less maintenance.

 

3. Should I switch from heating oil to natural gas?

Yes, but switching from heating oil to natural gas has to do with installing gas lines if they are not already in place. The conversion cost is often quite high, but it may save money over time through lower fuel costs.

 

4. Which is better for the environment: heating oil or natural gas?

Natural gas is generally considered to be better for the environment than heating oil. Natural gas produces fewer emissions and is a cleaner burning fossil fuel, but both contribute to global warming.

 

5. How often should heating oil furnaces be serviced?

It’s recommended to have your heating oil furnace serviced annually so it runs efficiently and safely. Regular maintenance includes changing oil filters, cleaning components, and checking for carbon monoxide risks.