After researching the costs and benefits in switching from oil to gas, you are probably wondering: what other types of fuel can I choose from? In a free market, there will always be multiple competitive resources to heat your home with. While many forms of renewable energy (wind, solar, etc.) are available for a power source, a direct fuel line is the best and most efficient type of heating for the consumer.
If Not Natural Gas, Then What?
In the summertime, you don’t think about heat unless it’s for cleaning with hot water. However, that doesn’t mean fuel isn’t prevalent in your home. If you have a propane grill, you already rely on the simple efficiency of propane heating during your summer BBQs; you can operate with the same simple efficiency in the winter if you use propane to heat your home as well.
Propane
Using the same technique as heating oil, a tank is filled with propane gas and a line is installed to connect the furnace or boiler. While propane is efficient and cheaper than oil, it is still more expensive than natural gas. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average heating season costs $2400.
One benefit to propane is that it doesn’t require a main feed from the town or city. You get the same benefits of natural gas without lower costs than oil. You aren’t dependent on being tied into the city line; this is perfect for rural areas. Propane is more efficient than electric heat, but it doesn’t offer the same efficiency or cost savings as natural gas.
Electricity
Electricity is a source also worth considering, especially if your heating needs aren’t too large, as it is cheaper than oil or gas. The drawback to electric heat is that it isn’t as efficient as a fuel-based system.
When it comes to what heating source is the most efficient and cost effective, natural gas is the leader. When natural gas isn’t available, propane is the next best thing. To find how you can start saving with an efficiency that meets your needs, contact your local plumbing and heating professionals today.