Propane Heating vs. Oil Heating Showdown

Spring has sprung. Huzzah! And while many of us have put hot chocolate by a cozy fire behind us, it’s always a good time to consider the heating in your home and make changes during off season so you’re all prepped and in-the-know for next winter.

When it comes to heating your home, two of the most common options are propane gas and oil heating systems. And depending on where you are in the world, you may or may not have a choice between fuels. But if you do, the main considerations include cost, maintenance, and environmental effects (the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere by the fuel your home burns).

Let’s just go to the ol’ pro and con list for each:

Propane Pros:

• It’s clean burning. Considerably fewer emissions means it’s better for the environment. One point for propane.
• Propane-fueled equipment tends to run more efficiently = lower energy bills
• Because propane burns ‘clean,’ the equipment requires less maintenance and lasts longer than oil-fueled equipment
• It’s versatile: propane can be used to power other appliances such as stoves/ranges and water heaters, all from the same fuel source

Propane Cons:

• Propane-burning equipment tends to cost more upfront
• Propane gas, while the more environmentally friendly option, is after all a fossil fuel
• Propane is combustible so equipment maintenance and safety inspections must be regular and ongoing to ensure they’re functioning properly

Oil Pros:

• Oil is the more cost effective fuel source
• Oil tends to be used up more slowly than propane
• Cost of equipment tends to be cheaper upfront
• Oil-fired water heaters are relatively cheap and low maintenance and produce hot water faster

Oil Cons:

• When burned, oil produces TONS of carbon dioxide gas > more emissions means it’s more harmful for the environment
• Oil burning heating systems are less efficient and can mean higher energy bills
• Heating oil tanks are susceptible to leaks which can be extremely costly to clean up
• Prices for oil tend to fluctuate more drastically than propane
• Oil furnaces need to be cleaned more frequently than propane furnaces

Bottom line, as we see it, if you’re a heating oil customer with an aging heating system, you might consider making the switch to propane. If you want to explore if and how you go about converting your home system to propane, give your local heating company a ring.

Be sure to keep factors like upfront costs, maintenance of equipment and efficiency in mind when deciding what’s best for your home.