Energy Efficiency & Cost Savings:
Oil furnaces are some of the most common heating appliances in North America, which explains widespread frustration over high heating costs
Oil furnaces produce heat at about 60% efficiency, meaning that for every dollar you spend on heating oil, you’ll only get about 60 cents worth of heat. Gas furnaces, on the other hand, are much more efficient, generally 90% or above. Furnace oil cost compared to that of propane in 2012 was in some cases 75% higher than the cost of propane.
Insurance and Liability:
Do you have an older home with an oil tank? Many insurance companies place strict rules on how old oil tanks and furnaces must be in order to be covered by your household insurance policy. This means that you may have to replace your oil furnace equipment before it shows signs of wear and tear. Also, effective Jan 2013, all new oil tanks are required to be double bottom tanks.
Oil leaks are also very difficult to clean up, and can cost thousands of dollars.
- One litre of leaked oil can contaminate 1 million litres of drinking water.
- A pinhole in your tank can empty 1,000 litres of oil.
- Cleanup of an oil spill can involve everything from replacing the tank and supply lines and removing contaminated soil, to replacing your home’s foundation.
Environmental Impact:
Finally, natural gas/propane is much better for the environment. It is clean-burning and produces far fewer emissions than oil.
Coal, wood, heating oil, gasoline and natural gas, all produce various kinds of carbon that contribute to global warming as GHG’s. Propane has lower carbon content than fuel oil, gasoline, diesel, kerosene and ethanol. Propane gas contains significantly less greenhouse gas emissions per productivity unit compared to other fuels. Natural gas/propane has a tiny carbon footprint and is highly efficient. It can play a major role in fighting climate change by offering homeowners a safe, reliable, and affordable alternative to burning oil.
