Oil heat vs. Gas heat

I know its been asked before, but I need some current insight.

Which is better?
Which is cheaper in the long run?
Currently we have an oil boiler in the basement. Want to install CAC and heat unit combo- which would you recommend and why?

Just doing a little research for my parents

Thanks so much

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

I personally have gas heat -- we like it, not only because it's cheaper (gas is like the cheapest it's been in 20 years!), but also because it's cleaner and more convenient. You don't have to worry about having oil deliveries made -- natural gas never runs out. And you don't have a big oil tank taking up space, leaking, etc. And if you have gas in the house, it's great because we also use natural gas for our bbq, which is super convenient. Love it!

Also for resale value - gas heat is preferable to the vast majority of buyers and considered to be an upgrade.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

GAS!!!!!!

I know plenty who have oil and are depressed because of how expensive oil is. It can cost up to 1000K or more these days just for a delivery!

We made sure that we purchased a home with gas. It's inexpensive compared to oil. It's cleaner and always around.

Also, just an idea. We looked at a home in Massapequa that had oil. The woman paid 350 per month on a budget plan! Gas bill is usually 125 or less per month. Can't beat it!

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Definitely Gas. It was a deciding factor when we were house hunting. There is a big difference in cost. FIL converted 4yrs ago and says his savings have already paid off the cost of conversion.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Gas for sure. When we were house hunting we were only looking at houses with gas heat.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Definitely gas! We're buying a house that has gas and when the sellers provided us with the gas and utility bills, they totaled less than half of what we pay for one oil delivery. Gas was on my must have list for our second house.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

GAs!!!
its cheaper in the long run
no need to worry about fill ups, running out, varying prices and contracts/caps/etc.
No worrying about tank leaking and environmental issues.
No smell when to fill it up.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

I agree with what others have said about gas. You also don't need to service your boiler yearly like you do with oil.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

110% GAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

My parents were paying $800+ a month in oil heating bills last winter and they finally had had enough so before winter hit this year they converted to Gas. They now use a monthly plan and the bills are under $200 a month.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

gas gas gas!!!!

We were paying around $600+ a month for oil deliveries our first winter in our home.

That fall we converted to gas and now we are paying $170/month on balanced billing.

I like that we don't have to worry about running out, and it's way cheaper & cleaner.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Posted by Athee

I know its been asked before, but I need some current insight.

Which is better?
Which is cheaper in the long run?
Currently we have an oil boiler in the basement. Want to install CAC and heat unit combo- which would you recommend and why?

Just doing a little research for my parents

Thanks so much

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Posted by mommy2Two

Posted by Athee

I know its been asked before, but I need some current insight.

Which is better?
Which is cheaper in the long run?
Currently we have an oil boiler in the basement. Want to install CAC and heat unit combo- which would you recommend and why?

Just doing a little research for my parents

Thanks so much

Okay, I am the only one BUT, I am ok with oil.

I use oil only for heating. And I only use 1 delivery per calendar year. Cost is like $800 for the delivery. So over a year that is $67 per month. I keep my temp at 72.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

I would probably prefer gas.

I lucked out and have a really good boiler and our house is well insulated. Plus we have timed zoned heating, so I only pay about 1500 a year for oil and I've been happy with that cost. Our house is small too - I think it's 1600 not including our basement, bonus and laundry rooms.

BUT.. my sister's were bleeding money with their horrible boiler until they switched to gas! Plus they dealt with so many puff backs and other problems .. it was a nightmare! I never hear of those issues with gas.

Message edited 5/4/2012 9:31:55 AM.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Def gas...we converted last October and the savings is tremendous plus its cleaner..if you can switch I would do it

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

When we moved in we had oil heat, which we never had before. It was last year, the horrible winter... try $800 every 3 weeks to refill the tank!!! We weren't exactly warm either, DH kept the thermostat reasonable. Hence, my renovations came to a screetching halt. By last March we converted to gas. It MORE than paid for itself, brand new hot water tank that we got rebates and such... Whenever DH sees an oil truck he screams "SCAM". LOL. I still can't stand my electric stove either (on a differnt topic), it's a glass top and my pots and pans litterally spin around, I never encountered that on a gas stove, ever. Almost had hot oil spill on me a number of times because of it. I ran the gas line to where the stove top will go, but kitchen renovation budget was eaten up by last years oil fiasco and admittedly a few other immediate necessities.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

I prefer gas but the home we just purchased has oil. There is no gas line in the street. I got a quote of 45K to convert to gas!!!! The guy basically told me when you move in get a bunch of neighbors to convert to save on the cost. I will tell you I am nervous about the price of the oil come the winter :(

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

gas, we would only look for houses that were gas as oil is so expensive

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Posted by mommy2Two

Posted by Athee

I know its been asked before, but I need some current insight.

Which is better?
Which is cheaper in the long run?
Currently we have an oil boiler in the basement. Want to install CAC and heat unit combo- which would you recommend and why?

Just doing a little research for my parents

Thanks so much

Okay, I am the only one BUT, I am ok with oil.

I use oil only for heating. And I only use 1 delivery per calendar year. Cost is like $800 for the delivery. So over a year that is $67 per month. I keep my temp at 72.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Gas. We have had both, gas is better for sure.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

GAS! For all the reasons stated above, but also, even though it happens infrequently, when you lose power, you still have a workable heating mechanism since you can light the stove to cook/heat up things.

Re: Oil heat vs. Gas heat

Posted by maybesoon

Posted by mommy2Two

Posted by Athee

I know its been asked before, but I need some current insight.

Which is better?
Which is cheaper in the long run?
Currently we have an oil boiler in the basement. Want to install CAC and heat unit combo- which would you recommend and why?

Just doing a little research for my parents

Thanks so much

Okay, I am the only one BUT, I am ok with oil.

I use oil only for heating. And I only use 1 delivery per calendar year. Cost is like $800 for the delivery. So over a year that is $67 per month. I keep my temp at 72.

How? What size is your home, do you have a new

Our oil bill is crazy, but no gas lines here. As soon as we can convert, we will