6 Common Misconceptions People Have About Home Heating Oil
October 16, 2018As temperatures begin to drop, heating costs rise. Put your hard-earned money to maximum use by considering home heating oil as your source of heat this season.
These are six common misconceptions about heating oil.
#1 Heating Oil Is Bad for the Environment
Many homeowners are under the false impression that heating oil has higher emissions than natural gas, or that it is dirtier. This misconception steers people away from making heating oil their first choice to heat their homes.
The good news is, it is altogether clean, safe and efficient. Heating oil has the highest energy density of all fossil fuels, meaning it has the most stored energy by volume.
Today’s burning technologies also make it one of the most environmentally conscious choices as well. In fact, fuel oil burns 90 percent cleaner than it did 40 years ago. This means residential oil makes up only 0.33 percent of total particulate emissions in the U.S.
In relation to other homes, building and facility heating fuels, heating oil is the most economical and environmentally responsible choice.
#2 Heating Oil Systems Are Expensive
On the contrary, home heating oil is cheaper now than it was in 1980, when you adjust for inflation. About 5.7 million households in the U.S. use heating oil as their main heating source, according to a 2017 report.
Also, home heating oil systems typically last twice as long as other fuel systems, meaning you won’t need to replace yours every decade or so.
At Bogue Oil, we only sell and install products – most with ENERGY STAR® ratings – that are proven to offer true value. This allows us to offer our customers competitively priced heating oil equipment from reputable manufacturers.
#3 Fuel Oil Furnaces Don’t Last Long
The average lifespan of an oil heat appliance is about 30 years when properly maintained. Propane and natural gas systems are only promised to last 11 to 14 years.
In addition to their longevity, oil furnaces are typically less expensive to install. Costs are as much as 25 percent lower on average compared to a natural gas furnace.
Fuel oil furnaces are an overall better value over the long term. They are robust, dependable, durable, easy to maintain and repair and highly-efficient, with efficiency ratings as high as 95 percent.
#4 Oil as a Fuel Source Is Running Out
According to BP’s annual world energy report, global oil reserves fell slightly by 0.5 billion barrels, or 0.03 percent in 2017. While many people fear oil around the world will run out soon, reported discoveries, extensions and improved recovery of fossil fuels are expected to increase oil production over time.
#5 Oil Heating Isn’t Renewable
As of October 2013, heating oil is part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program under the Clean Air Act. This means home heating oil use will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help decrease the country’s reliance on imported oil.
#6 Oil Heating Isn’t Safe
Heating oil is very similar to diesel fuel in that it’s extremely safe in its natural state. Heating oil is so safe, in fact, that it will extinguish a lit match.
When stored properly, in a durable tank from Bogue Oil, heating oil poses no explosion threat. Natural gas, on the other hand, is extremely flammable and accounted for 16 percent of non-fire-related carbon monoxide fatalities in 2014.
Residential Heating Oil Delivery and Service in Virginia
Keep your family comfortable year-round with comprehensive home heating oil services from Bogue Oil.
With FREE automatic delivery service, you’ll never have to worry about running out of oil, enjoy prioritized deliveries and service, budget payment plans and more! If you find yourself without heat this season, give us a call. We have technicians available 24/7 to help you.
Request oil delivery or service by contacting us online or calling (757) 419-2734 today!