The Common Heating Oil Myths Dispelled
Heating oil has been a favorite source of heat for homes and businesses for many years. The oil's popularity is thanks to heating oil's affordability, safety, and availability.
However, with much misinformation and miscalculation about heating oil, some individuals have been led to believe certain myths about the fuel source. This blog dispels some of the most common myths about heating oil to help you make a sound decision.
Heating Oil Is Expensive
Many people avoid heating oil because they believe it is costlier than other heating options. The truth is that the cost of heating your space using oil depends on the current market rate of crude oil. The cost also depends on the efficiency of your boiler or furnace.
When you compare the cost of different heating sources, you should consider the total cost of ownership. These include not just the fuel but also the maintenance and upkeep of your equipment.
In most cases, oil-fired heat is less expensive than other alternatives, such as electricity, propane, and natural gas. And with modern technology, new boilers and furnaces are more efficient than ever, so you can save even more on fuel costs.
Heating Oil Is Unsafe
Since heating oil is a petroleum product, some people automatically assume that heating oil is flammable, and thus unsafe. However, heating oil is much less volatile than gasoline and will not explode unless you expose heating oil to extreme heat for several minutes.
To ensure the safety of heating oil, ensure your home or business is equipped with an oil-fired furnace or boiler. The equipment should meet the safety standards of Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Also, make sure to set up your fuel tank outside your building to minimize the fire risk.
Heating Oil Is Environmentally Unfriendly
Contrary to most people's preconceptions, heating oil is among the cleanest-burning fossil fuels available. In addition, today's heating oil produces significantly fewer emissions than oil did a few years ago.
The sulfur content in heating oil is lower than a few years ago, and new low-sulfur fuels are now available to consumers. These cleaner-burning fuels not only reduce emissions but also help to prolong the life of your equipment.
Additionally, many oil dealers offer services to help you further reduce your carbon footprint, such as used oil recycling and tank retirement programs.
Heating Oil Is Not Energy Efficient
The efficiency of your heating system is the main determinant of the heating oil costs. If your system is inefficient, it has to work hard to meet your heating needs. Consequently, the system will use more oil, which translates to high costs.
Luckily, most heating systems today have annual fuel utilization efficiency ratings of 80 percent or higher. Therefore, you only need to get a furnace or boiler with a high rating to enjoy high energy efficiency.
The best part is that you can dictate the efficiency of your heating oil. Some tips to follow are to upgrade your system when it starts to show signs of wear and to get annual cleanings and tune-ups to ensure that it runs as efficiently as possible.
Also, if your primary concern is the sludge in your tank, there are additives that you may add to your fuel to help keep your system clean and running smoothly. These additives can also help prevent problems like clogged filters and fuel lines. Talk to your local oil heat dealer about which additives suit your system.
Heating oil is a safe, efficient, and clean-burning fuel that can help you save money on your heating costs. Biltmore Oil is your trusted provider for all petroleum products. If you have any questions about heating oil or are interested in switching to this type of heat, don't hesitate to contact usfor guidance.
