Why Oil Over Gas Heat?

Why Oil Over Gas Heat?

You live in New Jersey and that means that as the winter months approach, you find yourself wondering yet again what type of fuel is best for your home. This question has plagued homeowners throughout the northeast for decades as gas and heating oil prices in NJ have fluctuated wildly, creating a rising and falling demand for both.

While the exact answer to this question will depend on your specific circumstances, there are a number of reasons why oil remains a better decision than gas for your home.

1.  Installation

Assuming you already have an oil tank installed in your home, you’ll never again need to make any changes or upgrades based on municipal supplies. The cost of oil may change but you can always find NJ oil companies to visit your home and fill that tank. Natural gas is supplied through municipal gas lines and their availability depends entirely on the city maintaining them.

2.  Gas Availability

Obviously, if gas is not available at your address, the decision between gas and oil is fairly straightforward, but if there is a main line nearby, you are probably trying to determine just how big of a job it is to have that line connected to your home. First, a gas lateral will need to be run to your home, then a meter will need to be installed. You will also likely need to have the oil tank removed from your home which is a big project. None of these things are reasons not to switch, but they can result in a substantial volume of work when you make your choice so keep them in mind.

3.  Cost

This is where things are less cut and dry. Heating oil prices in NJ have changed dramatically from year to year in recent years. You do have the benefit of filling your oil tank when you know the price is low in the spring or summer before the winter price hikes occur. Natural gas prices are sometimes lower than oil right now, but they fluctuate as much if not more than oil as do delivery and line maintenance fees.

4.  Safety

With oil heating, you’ll never need to worry about things like gas leaks. While gas leaks are not overly common, they do occur and can be very disruptive, not only to your heating system but to your family. Gas heating systems are almost universally safe, but damage from a storm or natural disaster can be an issue as well.

The Bottom Line

There are a number of reasons why you might choose oil over gas or vice versa. The bottom line is that if you already have oil heat and a modern high efficiency heating system (or are considering an upgrade to one), rarely does natural gas provide enough benefits to make the change. If you are interested in learning more about which option is best in your particular situation, contact one of the many home heating oil companies in NJ and discuss your options. Most will provide honest, straightforward answers about things like cost, operation and ongoing maintenance for oil vs. gas heating.