Autumn is here, and the cold weather looms in the not-too-distant future. It’s a good time to get a jump on making sure that you and yours stay toasty warm through the cold months ahead. Which does a better and more efficient job, gas heat or oil heat?
First, let’s start with an essential definition. AFUE ratings are the baseline measurement we will be using. In the simplest terms, the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the percentage of your fuel that is converted into energy.
Energy.gov designates high-efficiency heating systems as having 90% to 98.5% AFUE, and mid-efficiency heating systems have a rating of 80% to 83%. Anything lower than that is considered low-efficiency.
Is Oil Heat or Gas Heat Safer?
There are a number of reasons that oil heat is a safer overall choice.
- Heating oil is not flammable like gas.
- Oil has a distinctive smell, which can allow you to identify leaks. Gas, which is toxic, does not have an odor without the use of additives.
- With oil, the possibility of an explosion is not an issue.
Additionally, gas heat systems require a pipeline to deliver the gas to your home. A leak in this pipeline can be very dangerous and can take weeks or months to repair.
How Efficient Is Oil Heat?
Due to modern methods of oil production and combustion, oil heat generates more heat than gas heat, about 140,000 BTUs versus 100,000 for the same amount of fuel, according to RegionEnergy. Additionally, efficiency ratings on newer heating systems usually fall into the 83-95% AFUE range, classifying them as high efficiency. The older the unit is, the lower the probable AFUE rating.
Is It Cheaper to Heat with Gas or Oil?
While both are subject to fluctuations due to supply and demand, the gas markets tend to be more stable, resulting in steadier fuel prices. The machinery and heating systems for oil-based systems are generally much cheaper and more widely available than gas-based ones. They also tend to last roughly twice as long.
Which Is Better Oil Heat or Gas Heat?
The answer may vary according to your needs, but it is worth noting that roughly 5.3 million households in the United States used heating oil (distillate fuel oil) as their main fuel, with approximately 82% of those households in the Northeast. Get more information on making the choice between oil heat and gas heat in our pros and cons article.
Your Trusted Long Island C.O.D. Heating Oil Provider
Tragar Express specializes in maintaining the trust and confidence earned over the past six and a half decades. If you need residential heating oil, let us show you our 5-star service and the best pricing in the area.
Conserve both your time and money by taking advantage of our online C.O.D. (Call On Demand) heating oil delivery service. If you place your order before 10 am, you can even arrange for same-day oil delivery. Contact us online today or call us at (855) 426-3645 and start saving on your heating oil!
There’s a lot of uncertainty out there lately regarding the prices of a great number of things. With increasing inflation, prices going up at the pump, and rising energy costs, homeowners are looking for ways to save what they can, especially on Long Island, where things are already pretty expensive. In fact, this year, 
There have been several improvements in recent years to the ways we heat our homes. Many of these advancements have to do with becoming more efficient while lessening our impact on the environment and carbon footprint. 
With the recent conflict in Europe and resulting sanctions affecting oil imports and exports, many Long Islanders are experiencing the resulting impact of that at the pump. Some of the sharpest increases to our gas prices have been happening, and we know quite when the prices will go back down again. While this situation is an outlier, we’ve all noticed prices of oil going up and down over the years and even multiple times in a single year. 
When considering an HVAC system replacement or upgrade, Heating Seasonal Performance Ratings (HSPF) is a critical number to understand. HSPF is a rating that measures the energy efficiency of a heat pump during cool and cold months, with higher-rated units between 9 and 10 providing significant energy efficiency. How is HSPF calculated, how does it relate to SEER, and how does it affect the bottom line cost of running a building’s HVAC? 
By now, most residents living in the lower part of New York have heard of biofuel. In 2017, New York State passed a 
When choosing the system to heat your home, many options are available, which can be confusing. Depending on where you live, some help may narrow down your options based on resource availability (i.e., natural gas vs. oil heat), but that doesn’t mean that you are forced into a choice that doesn’t suit your home’s needs. Let’s look at two popular options in the Northeast – baseboard heating and forced hot air systems. 
COD oil delivery and automatic delivery services each have distinct pros based on your needs and means as the homeowner. COD delivery represents a convenient way for homeowners to purchase oil based on their immediate needs and schedules. In contrast, automatic oil delivery takes the guesswork out of oil delivery as your oil company handles everything for you. Which is better? It depends entirely on your situation. 
Having an oil heat system in your home brings many benefits to you and your family. It is best for the system to keep up with the refills for your heating system, so you don’t run into issues later. You may be surprised to learn that your oil heating system running out of oil can cause more problems than just a freezing home. The home heating oil experts at Tragar Express are here to let you know why you should never run out of heating oil. 
Your heating system is an essential component of your home that you rely on to keep you and your loved ones warm. In return, your heating system is dependent on you to keep it running smoothly with regular maintenance checks and scheduling repairs at the first sign of deterioration. Many of us utilize our heating system year-round, not just for home heating purposes but for water heat and cooking. Here are some signs that your system needs an upgrade. 
