Around 5.7 million Americans use oil as their main heat source.
The demand for heating oil is seasonal and often influenced by the weather. Most heating oil use happens from October through March.
Maybe you are thinking about purchasing a home with oil heat.
What does oil heat cost, and what are you getting for the price? Let’s take a look.
1. Why Oil Heat?
Oil home heating has been around a long time. It is safe and only ignites by an advanced system with an oil-burner or furnace. Oil heat contains no cancer-causing agents, so it is safe to store within your home.
Oil heating is also a leader when it comes to efficiency. This is due to weather-responsive controls, which reduce fuel usage during mildly cold weather and provide even heating in response to temperature changes.
Smart controls are also now available. These monitor your usage habits and reduce your energy usage when no one is home.
New systems can even re-burn oil, which helps to reduce already low emissions and maximize the heat you get per gallon of oil.
There is plenty of oil available on the market and relatively small demand. You will never have to worry about an oil supply running low when you need a delivery.
An oil flame burns hotter than natural gas, heating your home faster than water. This means your heat is more powerful and efficient than gas and electric options.
Oil heating systems can last you for decades. This can get extended through regular maintenance and the use of low-sulfur oils.
If you live in a rural area with limited access to gas lines, you can easily access oil heat. All you will need is an oil containment unit and your own furnace. You will have your own system and your own supply.
2. How Much Does Oil Heat Cost?
The average family spends $2,535 per winter season on oil heat. The national average cost per gallon is $3.072 in January.
A typical oil furnace can cost between $500 and $2,500. Much will depend upon its size, brand, and efficiency. The cost of an installed furnace for a 2,000-square foot home is between $3,000 and $5,000.
The amount of money you spend will depend largely upon the size of your home and its efficiency. Smaller homes take less oil to heat than larger ones.
You may also live in a region of the country that does not require as much heating as other regions. In areas where the cold season is longer, you can expect to pay more.
States with the highest utility bills, for example, include Connecticut, Wyoming, and Alaska. You will spend the least amount of money to get oil heating in places like Washington D.C. and Hawaii.
3. Keeping Your Home Efficient
If your oil bill runs a bit high from month to month, you can save money with a few simple precautions.
Take a look at your windows and doors. You may be losing heat if there are drafts around the edges. Caulk the seals or use a door draft blocker to heat from escaping.
Be sure that your heating vents are not covered by any furniture or curtains. You do not want to lose money simply because your couch is poorly placed!
Make sure you schedule regular maintenance tune-ups to keep your pipes from getting dirty and clogged, making your heater work harder.
During the day, open curtains, shades, and blinds to get as much natural heat into your home as possible.
Programmable thermostats can also help you save money on your monthly costs. You can adjust them to emit less heat when no one is home.
Replacing your heating system components can also save you a lot of money in the long run. Newer models are designed to be more efficient and can save you in your monthly heating bills going forward.
4. The Right Oil Service
Heating your home with oil is a big investment. You will not want to waste your time or money on a service that is not trustworthy or dependable.
Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations and ask detailed questions about their experiences. Was their service reliable and professional? Were they able to come right out if there was a problem?
Read online reviews and try to gauge the opinions of customers. Every company gets a bad review once in a while. If however, you are seeing the same negative comment over and over, you have a good idea of what your experience will be like.
The right oil company will make affordable, timely home deliveries. It may even be able to provide HVAC services. If you have long winter months, look for a company that low-sulfur heating oil to protect your furnace when temperatures are low.
A good oil company will offer flexible payment options that fit within your budget. Delivery should be available same-day or next-day.
A good company will be able to provide an HVAC service. They will have well-trained technicians that are prepared to deal with repairs or service issues. Your company should also offer preventative maintenance and an annual tune-up to keep your system running at peak efficiency.
The Oil Heat Advantage
Oil heat cost is something that you can weigh carefully against other factors, such as convenience, efficiency, and monthly oil bills. With some extra precautions, you can keep your oil bill low and your home toasty whenever it gets cold.
For great oil service, contact us today.