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Last Revised: 1/27/2025
Choosing the right heating system for your home can be a tough decision, especially with so many options on the market today. Many homeowners are faced with the choice of an oil or natural gas furnace to keep their home comfortable throughout the winter.
This decision poses several questions: Which one will keep my family the warmest? Which one is easier to budget for? What about the impact on the environment?
We at Mattioni understand that replacing your heating system – something you might only do every 12 to 15 years – can seem like a daunting task. We believe that the best way to make the right choice for you is by becoming informed of the advantages and drawbacks of both options.
In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of both oil and natural gas furnaces, including cost, efficiency and environmental impact. After reading this article you’ll have all the tools to select the right system that fits the needs of your home and lifestyle.
The Basics of How Oil and Natural Gas Furnaces Work
How Oil Furnaces Work
Oil furnaces typically consist of a large storage tank and a pump that brings oil to the burner where it’s atomized into a fine spray.
When called on by the thermostat, the spray is ignited in the combustion chamber, producing heat that’s transferred via the heat exchanger to the air that’s circulated by a blower motor into and throughout your home’s ductwork and into your living space.
How Natural Gas Furnaces Work
Natural gas furnaces rely on a direct connection to a municipal gas line, which sends the fuel to the burner and ignites it electronically when triggered by the thermostat.
The heat generated in the combustion chamber is then transferred much like it is in an oil furnace: through a heat exchanger and into your ductwork where its facilitated throughout your home via a blower motor.
Pros of Oil Furnaces
1. Higher Energy Output
One of the primary advantages of using oil to fuel your furnace is that it burns hotter than natural gas, making it particularly effective in colder climates where a higher heat intensity is necessary to maintain comfort.
2. Independence from Utility Grids
Oil furnaces rely on stored fuel, meaning these homes don’t need to be connected to a utility grid. This level of independence is unmatched by natural gas systems that depend on public utility pipelines, making them particularly advantageous in rural and remote areas.
3. Longer Equipment Lifespan
Oil furnaces typically have a robust, durable build and often run less than natural gas furnaces due to their high heating output. Because of this, oil furnaces often experience less wear and tear resulting in a longer lifespan – frequently over 20 years with proper maintenance.
Cons of Oil Furnaces
1. Higher, More Volatile Fuel Costs
Oil is generally more expensive than natural gas and although its price may at times be manageable, your bills are subject to global markets and oil supply conditions. High fluctuations are common, making for unpredictable heating costs that can potentially strain household budgets at the worst times.
2. Storage & Maintenance Requirements
Oil furnaces require on-site storage tanks, which take up space either in your yard or basement and can be an eyesore.
They also require regular maintenance to prevent issues like leaks or contamination. Any system needs regular care and inspections to maintain optimal performance, however oil furnaces are more dependent on maintenance schedules and will more certainly encounter problems if not properly cared for.
Additionally, tanks need to be monitored to ensure that the fuel supply doesn’t run out during the heating season.
3. Environmental Impact
Oil produces higher levels of carbon emissions compared to natural gas, making it the less environmentally friendly option. For homeowners conscious of their carbon footprint’s impact on the climate, this can be a significant disadvantage.
4. Inconvenience of Delivery
The downside of independence from utility grids is that oil must be delivered by truck to your home, meaning that you’ll need to schedule deliveries regularly. Not to mention that running out of fuel is a real risk if deliveries are delayed or made unavailable for an unforeseen reason.
Pros of Natural Gas Furnaces
1. Higher Efficiency & Lower Operating Costs
Natural gas furnaces are generally more efficient than oil, in part because they burn cleaner and more completely (more of the fuel is converted into usable heat).
Additionally, natural gas is typically less expensive to purchase than oil, resulting in lower overall operating costs and reduced utility bills.
2. Convenience of No Deliveries
Once connected to your municipality’s utility grid, you’ll have continuous access to natural gas and won’t have to worry about scheduling deliveries to restock on fuel. This also eliminates the need for an on-site storage tank and the risk of running out of fuel.
3. Cleaner Burning Mitigates Environmental Impact
Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, producing significantly lower carbon emissions than oil during the combustion process.
This not only makes natural gas furnaces more environmentally friendly, but also reduces the amount of soot and other pollutants that can accumulate and make their way to the ductwork, leading to cleaner indoor air.
Cons of Natural Gas Furnaces
1. Dependence on Local Utility Infrastructure
One of the biggest downsides of natural gas is that it simply isn’t available to most homeowners who live in rural areas, meaning it’s not even an option for properties without proper access to it.
Moreover, those who do have access to it are entirely dependent upon their provider and service disruptions can potentially leave homeowners without heat during critical times.
Homeowners who do not have access to a natural gas hook up but are still interested in cost-effective, environmentally friendly heating may want to consider looking into the advantages of a heat pump.
2. Upfront Conversion Costs
For homeowners with existing oil furnaces, converting to natural gas can involve high upfront costs, including the expense of installing new equipment, connecting to the gas line, and possibly upgrading other components and systems.
While these costs will be offset by the long-term savings on fuel, the initial investment can be steep for some.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Oil and Natural Gas Furnaces
1. Availability
The availability of natural gas is necessary to even consider it as a heating option. Rural areas frequently don’t have public access as extending natural gas lines so far may not be feasible. For these homes, oil furnaces are the more practical choice.
Conversely, in urban and many suburban regions, natural gas is readily available and well worth considering as a fuel source.
2. Initial Costs vs. Long-Term Savings
When choosing between oil and natural gas, don’t skip the step of weighing the initial costs of converting to natural gas against potential long-term utility savings.
For homeowners with budgeting constraints, this system upgrade may not be feasible, however it may be worth it in the long run for others. Be sure to consider the many financing and payment plans available to help manage these upfront costs. At Mattioni, one of our offerings is a 12-month interest-free payment plan on all systems.
3. Environmental Impact
For environmentally conscious homeowners, the carbon footprint of your heating system can be a significant consideration.
Natural gas produces fewer carbon emissions than oil, making it the greener choice. However, oil furnaces have made great strides in reducing their environmental impact, and renewable biofuels are becoming more widely available as a cleaner alternative to traditional heating oil.
4. Personal Preference and Lifestyle Choices
After considering all the differences between oil and natural gas, it’s up to you to decide how your choice will impact your lifestyle.
Some homeowners may prioritize the independence and higher heating output of oil furnaces, especially in regions that regularly experience severe winters. Others may value the convenience and lower utility costs of natural gas.
It’s important to consider the maintenance demands of each system; while both require regular, annual upkeep, oil furnaces are more dependent on frequent attention to ensure efficient operation.
Oil or Natural Gas: Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Choosing between an oil and natural gas furnace is a significant decision that depends on a handful of factors, but it doesn’t have to be as complicated as it may seem at first.
By understanding their differences in availability, utility costs, maintenance requirements and environmental impact, you can begin to form an opinion on which is best for you and your family.
Then, you can start to weigh other factors like your short-term and long-term budget as well as your personal preferences on the convenience and heating output of both oil and natural gas furnaces.
At Mattioni, we recommend consulting with an HVAC professional at some point in your furnace replacement process before making a final decision.
Don’t be afraid to consult with a few installation companies to get some opinions and more insight into the differences between oil and natural gas.
For answers to any lingering questions about oil and natural gas furnaces, call our friendly HVAC team at (610) 400-8510 or schedule a consultation online today.
Getting expert opinions will ensure your new system is perfectly suited to your needs and installed with the utmost professionalism.
