which is better oil or propane furnace

Propane heating pros

• Propane gas is generally less expensive per gallon than heating oil
• Propane equipment runs more efficiently than heating oil equipment
• When burned, propane does not produce significant carbon dioxide; in fact propane is approved as a “clean fuel” by the US Government
• Because propane burns clean, propane heating equipment requires less maintenance and last longer than heating oil-based equipment

Full Answer

Is propane better than oil?

Objectively, we must go with propane. It’s so much more versatile, easier to deal with, and saves you money over time. There are some niche applications in which heating oil is the better choice. But if you want the best, you should definitely choose propane for your gas-related needs.

Which is better oil or propane?

• heating oil has a higher BTU output per gallon and is used up more slowly than propane; this means I will pay less to heat our house with heating oil.
• The cost of heating oil is less expensive per gallon than propane. ...
• Oil is thought to be safer than gas because it is not combustible in the air and does not create carbon monoxide fumes.

More items...

Is propane cheaper than oil?

Because propane systems are typically more efficient at extracting heat than oil systems, heating with propane is usually cheaper than heating with oil. To choose the most cost-effective option for you, you’ll also need to know the fuel and delivery costs in your area.

How efficient is a fuel oil furnace?

These are:

• Total oil furnace cost (the price of the unit, the installation cost, and heating oil costs).
• Energy-efficiency of oil furnaces. It’s important to know that burning efficiency has an 80% to 90% range and the savings that the high-efficiency units bring.
• The most reliable oil furnace brands. ...

How efficient is a propane furnace?

However, our research has shown that the average propane furnace achieves 95% efficiency and provides fast and reliable heat, in contrast to the average oil furnace which achieves 85% efficiency.

How many BTUs are in a gallon of propane?

Oil contains ~137,000 BTUs per gallon, while propane contains ~91,000 BTUs per gallon, resulting in greater energy output when used for heating. View statistics on other fuels here. However, another factor swings the advantage for heating efficiency back in propane’s favour: the relative efficiency of propane furnaces compared to oil furnaces.

Why do people use propane instead of electric?

In fact, many people prefer propane for cooking, instead of electric burners, because of its quick heating time and even heat distribution. In general, the ability to use the same fuel source for a variety of household appliances is a large advantage for propane.

What are the pros and cons of propane vs oil?

oil, we will examine four different factors that may influence your decision: (1) heating costs, (2) heating efficiency, (3) environmental impact, (4) versatility for your home.

Why use propane for heating?

One of the biggest reasons to use propane as a heating source for your home is its versatility. While oil can only be used for heating systems, propane can also be used to power stoves and ovens, barbeques, fridges, and even cars or other vehicles (including some farm equipment ).

Which produces more CO2: propane or oil?

Heating oil produces approximately 22 pounds of CO2 per gallon more than propane. Propane is the second cleanest-burning fuel available. Propane furnaces also require substantially less maintenance than oil furnaces as a result. In addition, oil furnaces require their own dedicated chimney, which must also be cleaned on a regular basis.

When will propane be available in Ontario?

October 13, 2020. If you live in a rural area, it’s likely that you will need to choose between propane and oil to heat your home. Propane furnaces and oil furnaces are both popular options for rural homes in Ontario.

How many gallons of propane does a furnace burn?

Similar calculations can be made for propane users based on the information that a propane furnace burns 2.2 gallons in an hour.

How long is Heil furnace warranty?

For instance, Heil offers a 10-year limited parts warranty and a 20-year or unlimited warranty depending on the furnace you buy.

How much does a propane furnace cost?

The average cost of a propane furnace that operates at 80 percent efficiency is $1,200, although the price can fluctuate by a few hundred dollars depending on the brand. Installation is higher in cost, ranging from $1,800 to $4,000 depending on the brand. Costs for an oil furnace that run at a maximum efficiency rate of 80 percent are higher with the average cost of the furnace itself at $2,000 and the installation at $6,000.

What are the different types of propane furnaces?

There are three different types of propane furnaces available: central heating, wall units, and combination heaters. These different furnace types are best used in the following ways: Wall units: Best suited for small homes or a single space, such as a garage, due to their convenient size.

How much oil does an oil furnace burn?

The standard oil furnace will burn between 0.8 and 1.7 gallons per hour.

What is the difference between a single speed furnace and a variable speed furnace?

It is important to know that a single-speed furnace only has one setting and is always running at full capacity. On the other hand, the variable speed blower has different speeds which can more accurately control the flow of heat.

What is a downflow furnace?

Downflow: In a downflow furnace, a fan is used to draw air into the top of the furnace. The air is then expelled as warm air out through the bottom of the unit.

How is natural gas sold?

Both oil and propane are sold by the gallon, while natural gas is sold by the cubic foot.

What is the best way to heat a home?

In most of the US, the question of what to heat a home with barely needs to be asked. Natural gas is the natural choice in most urban areas. It’s available at the street. Gas furnaces and boilers require little maintenance.

Which is better, natural gas or propane?

Natural gas is the clear winner on cost, if you have it available. If it’s not available on your street though, you’ll need to choose between propane and fuel oil.

Where is propane oil delivered?

Delivered by truck to above- or below-ground storage tanks, propane-fueled appliances are also low maintenance. But then, there’s the Northeast. There, fuel oil, also known as home heating oil, is also a popular choice. Similar to diesel fuel, home heating oil is delivered by trucks and pumped into a storage tank usually located in the basement.

Is it harder to burn oil or propane?

It’s harder to get fuel oil to burn than natural gas or propane. Gas flows into the combustion chamber under its own pressure.

Is oil pumped to oil burner?

Oil, on the other hand, must be pumped to the oil burner, and the burner is relatively sensitive to wear and buildup of soot and carbon. Consequently, oil burners are more expensive initially and require more regular maintenance.

Is a gas water heater cheaper than an oil water heater?

Gas water heaters are relatively cheap and low maintenance. Oil-fired water heaters cost more, but usually produce hot water faster. Whether gas or oil, if you heat with hot water rather than forced air, then the same boiler that heats your home can also heat the domestic hot water, saving the cost of a separate heater.

How many cubic feet of propane is in a gallon of oil?

Converting your gallon of heating oil into cubic feet isn’t going to help you decide which of the two fuels is the most efficient. One gallon of heating oil and 35.97 cubic feet of propane do not produce the same amount of energy. This is because the two substances have different thermal properties.

What is the fuel efficiency of a propane furnace?

Comparing brand new furnaces, you should expect to get a fuel efficiency of between 89 and 98 percent for propane and between 80 and 90 percent for heating oil. Assuming you compare the most efficient furnace of each type, you can adjust the relative heat production of the two forms of heating fuel:

What is the difference between propane and oil?

oil – fuel efficiency. Gas furnaces (both natural gas and propane) convert a higher proportion of their fuel supply into heat than oil burners do. Comparing brand new furnaces, you should expect to get a fuel efficiency of between 89 and 98 percent for propane and between 80 and 90 percent for heating oil.

Why is propane more expensive than natural gas?

You should expect propane to be more expensive per cubic foot than natural gas because you need less propane than you need for natural gas to produce the same amount of heat.

What is the unit of measure used to measure the thermal properties of a fuel?

The heating industry applies a standardized unit of measure to express the thermal properties of the fuel. This is called the British Thermal Unit, which you will see denoted as BTU. The heating properties of propane and heating oil are:

How to save money on heating bills?

Heaters become less efficient as they age, and maintenance costs of aging equipment add to the value of heating your home. If you have an old oil furnace, you will save money on your energy bills by merely buying a new oil furnace. Similarly, just replacing an old propane furnace with a new one will reduce your heating costs. However, you need to get a quote on removing your old boiler and installing the new one, and then add that to the total cost of replacement. If you can’t afford to buy a new furnace, you should also find out the financing costs of purchase and add that to your calculations.

Which is more efficient, propane or natural gas?

Propane is more efficient than natural gas. So when choosing a heating fuel, it is easy to spot the winner, However, when comparing the King of the Liquid Fuels with the Queen of the Gases, the energy industry throws a complicating factor into the ring. Liquids and gases are not expressed in the same unit of measure.

How difficult is it to compare propane prices?

With propane, it is VERY difficult to price compare. Nearly 95% of propane tanks in the Northeast are owned by the provider. As such, there are so few homeowners shopping for prices, that providers make it nearly impossible to price compare. Don’t believe me? Call five different suppliers and see for yourself. They want to know your total annual usage, whether you own your own tank, whether you want to be on auto-fill or will-call, and whether you want to pay them for a tank monitor. There simply isn’t a ‘price per gallon’ that most dealers will publish or quote. And once you sign up for automatic delivery, you have no say in the price. They keep delivering propane at whatever price they decide, and you keep paying.

How much propane does a gallon of oil need?

Takeaway: You need 1.35 gallons of propane for every gallon of heating oil.

How many gallons of propane for a gallon of oil?

To do an apples-to-apples comparison, we should look at how many gallons of propane are required to produce as much heat as a gallon of heating oil. Since heating oil generates 117,725 BTUs compared to 86,925 for propane, you will need 1.35 gallons of propane for every gallon of heating oil to generate the same amount of heat (117,725 / 86,925 = 1.35). To do an easy price comparison, take the price per gallon of propane and multiply it by 1.35 to see how it compares to the price per gallon of heating oil.

How much heat does a propane furnace generate?

BTUs (British Thermal Units) represent how much heat is generated by a gallon of fuel. Heating oil can generate 138,500 BTUs per gallon. Propane can generate up to 91,500. There is one more factor though, and that is the efficiency of the burner. Modern propane furnaces are often 95% – and sometimes more – efficient. This means that 95% of every gallon of propane is converted to heat. Oil burners, on the other hand, are only 80-90% efficient. We’ll use 85% efficiency for our calculation below:

How efficient is a propane furnace?

There is one more factor though, and that is the efficiency of the burner. Modern propane furnaces are often 95% – and sometimes more – efficient. This means that 95% of every gallon of propane is converted to heat. Oil burners, on the other hand, are only 80-90% efficient.

How long does an oil tank last in a basement?

Believe it or not, this can be the deciding factor for a lot of folks. A good oil tank in a basement can last 30+ years. If yours has plenty of life in it, you may not even consider switching to propane.

Can you switch propane suppliers?

The only way to switch propane suppliers if you are paying too much is to have the tanks removed, and have another company install their own. Or pay to have your own tank (s) installed, which is what you wanted to avoid in the first place. If you’ve got heating oil, you will always own the tank.

How many gallons of propane is needed for a home?

Typically propane users will have a larger tank than an oil user. Homeowners typically have 500 to 1,000 gallon propane tanks while most standard oil tanks are 275 to 400 gallon. On the surface this doesn’t appear to make a difference but it can have a huge impact.

What is the life expectancy of a propane furnace?

However, another factor that needs to be considered when determining which furnace (fuel oil vs propane) is the best value is Propane furnaces have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years and a Fuel Oil furnace has a life expecctancy of 25 to 30 years.

What temperature should an instant hot water heater be?

Make sure you go propane because oil boilers heat to180 degrees and has to be tempered (cooled) and that’s just stupid, most instant hot water heaters heat between 110 and 140 degrees which is ideal, mine is set at 120. These compact gas instant hot water heaters also come in natural gas versions.

Where does propane come from?

Actually, propane is a by-product of both natural gas processing and the refining of oil. Since the U.S. is the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas”, about 90% of our propane is domestic, about 7% comes from Canada.

When should I fill my propane tank?

I like to fill up my propane tank in the summer when fuel prices are historically lower than during the winter. The larger tank allows me to buy more propane at a lower price than I could if I was filling up the smaller oil tank during the summer. If you own a 1,000 gallon propane tank that can make a big difference at the end of the year.

Is it safe to use propane in a home?

If you’re already using propane in your home I would argue there is no increased risk. In fact, having a contractor come in and install a new propane furnace would ensure that your current gas lines are checked and evaluated for the new furnace. Today’s gas lines are typically run with a continuous piece of pipe which limits the number of joints and leakage potentials. Most of the explosions you hear about on the news are due to natural gas lines that are hit during excavation outside a home which causes gas to leak into the home. I can’t decide for you but I feel it is safe for my young family.

Is electric heat a supplement to propane?

I also have one fuel source for heat, cooking, and my on demand water heater. Electric heat is a supplement to the propane heat. I’ve found that once the propane stove brings the cabin up to temperature, a relatively small electric heater will maintain that temp quite easily. (I went big time on the insulation)

What type of furnace is used in Pennsylvania?

Many Pennsylvania homeowners turn to either propane gas or heating oil furnaces and boilers heat their homes. Both fuels will keep your house warm, and both will do the job better than electricity-based system in virtually every way.

What can propane be used for?

Propane can also be used to power other appliances such as ranges and water heaters – all from the same fuel source

Where does heating oil come from?

Most heating oil comes from offshore sources , which means its price is subject to international market forces and is therefore more volatile than propane

Is propane bigger than oil?

Propane tanks can have significantly larger capacities than heating oil tanks – which means fewer deliveries are needed; it also allows buyers to “stock up” on propane gas when prices are favorable. Propane can also be used to power other appliances such as ranges and water heaters – all from the same fuel source.

Do oil furnaces need to be cleaned?

Oil furnaces need to be cleaned more frequently than propane furnaces – a service you pay for. In most homes that are heated by oil, other appliances (such as water heaters, ranges, and clothes dryers) are run by electricity, which is not as efficient as propane.

Can propane tanks be buried?

Propane is nontoxic and nonpoisonous, so it doesn’t contaminate groundwater or soil if it leaks – which means propane tanks can be safely buried out of sight

Is propane combustible?

Propane is combustible in air, so precautions are needed to operate the equipment safely

Which produces more heat per gallon: oil or propane?

Heating Oil produces more heat per gallon than propane. So the more cost-effective option depends on the local prices (which do fluctuate from year to year). Oil and propane furnaces cost about the same amount up front.

Is propane a good alternative to natural gas?

Heating oil and propane are two alternative heating fuels to natural gas and electric. The two fuels are regularly compared and a clear winner is yet to be determined. When you examine a variety of factors, such as cost of fuel and equipment, energy efficiency, safety, and environmental impact, you will find that propane wins some categories ...

Is propane better than oil?

Both fuels are very safe and are easy on the environment, with propane being shown to burn just a little bit cleaner than oil. With such similar statistics and characteristics, you may find it difficult to decide. This is when your local heating oil suppliers in Greensboro can help you decide which fuel is best for you.

Is propane safe to burn?

Safety: when burned, propane does not create much carbon dioxide. Non-toxic. Environmental impact: clean burning fuel, produces very little to no soot. Environmental impact: burns cleaner than oil. Considered a clean fuel by the US Government. When compared side by side, oil and propane come out pretty equal.

Is propane more efficient than oil?

Safety: not combustible in the air and does not create carbon monoxide fumes. Will not burn until it reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Safety: when burned, propane does not create much carbon dioxide. Non-toxic.

Propane vs. Heating Oil

Propane Or Oil: Which Is Cheaper?

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing Propane Or Oil

Fuel Choice and Climate Change

• Another consideration is the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere by the fuel you burn. Of the three fuels discussed here, oil is by far the worst, at 161.4 lbs. of CO2 per million Btus produced. Propane is considerably better, creating 139.05 lbs. of CO2 per million Btus. Natural gas is best, at 117 lbs. of CO2 per million Btus. Based on that...

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