oil heating (houses, water heater, live)

[dpepsi]

I have noticed many houses have oil heat. How is this different from natural gas, other than, it needs to be delivered by truck (?).

[William shivers]

interesting question! some people believe that gas has a higher chance of expolding, versus oil. which it can! I believe the price is similar. However with oil you can lock in your price by signing a budget agreement with an oil company. I also pesonally believe that oil is a bit cheaper because if you don't pay the oil man, he won't deliver. whereas the gas company take their losses and passes them on to the other users and you have no choice of gas companies, but many oil people.

[Ohiogirl81]

Around here, oil is cheaper than natural gas -- you can shop around for the best deal, sign up for a locked-in price and automatic delivery, or take your chances on the price going up or down. If you take the latter option, it's no big deal to pick up the phone and arrange for delivery. It takes seconds to do, especially after you establish a relationship with the oil company. You don't have to be home when the truck comes, and most companies are very prompt and reliable.

I was kinda horrified by the whole concept of an oil furnace, hearing stories about how bad the oil smells or how dirty it can be if you have forced air heat. Well, the oil only smells when the furnace guy comes over to clean the furnace, and my furnace is at least 40 years old and isn't any dirtier than the gas furnace at my old house. I was told that when you do see soot coming through the registers that it's a sign you need a new furnace. *crossing fingers*

[dpepsi]

thank you for the info. Yes, I was under the impression it wasnt as clean. Thank you for setting me straight!

[reptiles]

In all modern oil burners, the combustion chamber is distinctly isolated from the airstream.

Air is forced through a heat exchanger that is mounted within the combustion area.

Unless something is busted, the home's air supply never mixes with the oil combustion, so it is considered "clean"

I have had oil heat in the past, and would not mind going to it again in my next home.

Cheers!

[Will Kelly]

Keep in mind that some homes have a summer/winter hook up that uses the furnace for all hot water heating. With the rising prices of oil it may be cheaper to use an electric hot water heater added to the system.