Posted: November 4, 2024

Oilheat Boilers vs. Other Types of Heating Systems

Making an Informed Choice

When choosing a heating system for your home, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of different options. Two common systems you may come across are Oilheat boilers and other heating systems, such as gas, electric, and heat pumps. Here, we’ll compare Oilheat boilers to those aforementioned alternatives and help you make an informed decision, especially as winter approaches our region.

Oilheat Boilers

Oilheat boilers are a popular choice in regions where natural gas pipelines aren’t as accessible. They burn heating oil to generate warmth, which is then transferred through water or steam to radiators, baseboards, or in-floor radiant heating. Let’s look at the key benefits and challenges of Oilheat boilers

What are some benefits of oilheat boilers?

• High Efficiency: Modern Oilheat boilers are designed for maximum efficiency, with some models reaching up to 95% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). This means that for every dollar spent on fuel, up to 95 cents goes directly toward heating your home.
• Independence from Gas Lines: If you live in a rural area or a location without access to natural gas infrastructure, oil can be a reliable alternative. Oil delivery services ensure that you have fuel when you need it.
• Hot Water Availability: Oilheat boilers can double as hot water heaters, giving you a reliable source of hot water for both domestic use and space heating.
• Longer Equipment Life: Oilheat boilers tend to have a longer lifespan than some gas or electric systems, lasting 15 to 25 years or more with proper maintenance.

What are some challenges of oilheat boilers?

• Fuel Storage: You need to store heating oil in a tank on your property. While this provides independence from utilities, it can also means monitoring your supply and arranging for deliveries. However, if you sign up for automatic delivery from Ace-Robbins, we’ll plan your fuel deliveries for you.
• Fuel Prices: Oil prices can fluctuate, affecting your annual heating costs. However, Ace-Robbins offers an EZ Pay program that lets you spread out your yearly heating oil costs into 12 predictable and manageable installments. Ace-Robbins also offers our automatic payment and senior customers additional ways to save.
• Maintenance: Oil boilers require regular maintenance to keep them running efficiently. Annual tune-ups are typically recommended to clean filters, nozzles, and ensure the system operates smoothly. Ace-Robbins offers preventative maintenance and service plans that include annual maintenance and savings on repairs.
• Carbon Emissions: Oilheat boilers contribute to carbon emissions. However, the heating oil Ace-Robbins delivers is ultra-low-sulfur heating oil, which burns more cleanly and with lower emission levels.

Other Heating Systems

Let’s take a look at some other heating systems:

• Gas Boilers: Natural gas boilers are common in urban and suburban areas. They have many of the same benefits as oil boilers but don’t require on-site fuel storage. However, they are only viable if you have access to natural gas lines.
• Electric Heating Systems: Electric heating systems, such as baseboards or forced air furnaces, are easy to install and require minimal maintenance. However, electricity can be expensive, especially in regions with high electricity rates. While electric systems are generally considered cleaner because they don’t emit pollutants at the source, their overall environmental impact depends heavily on how the electricity is generated.
• Heat Pumps: Heat pumps are a newer, energy-efficient option that can heat and cool your home. They are particularly well-suited for moderate climates. However, in extremely cold regions, they may struggle to generate sufficient heat, requiring a backup system. Heat pumps are often more eco-friendly than oil or gas systems, but they come with higher upfront installation costs. Ace-Robbins installs high-efficiency mini-split ductless heat pumps.

Oilheat boilers offer a robust and reliable heating solution, especially in areas without access to natural gas. They offer high efficiency, independence from gas lines, hot water availability, and equipment longevity.

A Dependable Heating Oil Provider

Ace-Robbins offers our customers in the greater Tunkhannock area and beyond dependable and affordable heating oil deliveries. We also offer a free automatic delivery service to reduce the risk of a run-out.

Contact Ace-Robbins today for more information on heating oil delivery.