Gas vs. Oil Furnaces: Which Will Warm Your Lakeforest Home Better?

Comparing Gas and Oil FurnacesIf you’re in the market for a new furnace, you may end up facing the dilemma of which type of furnace to purchase. The gas vs. oil furnace decision isn’t an easy one, especially if your home isn’t already set up for either alternative.

Gas vs. Oil Furnace

Following are some pros and cons of each furnace alternative:

  • Energy efficiency. A high-efficiency natural gas furnace is your best bet when it concerns efficiency. More of the burned fuel turns into heat for your home — some 90-plus percent for high-efficiency furnaces, as compared to 80 to 90 percent for a new oil furnace. The energy efficiency advantage is important if you’re concerned about energy conservation and the cost of heating bills.
  • Cost of installation. Fuel oil furnaces are usually cheaper to purchase than the same-sized gas furnace, as much as 10 to 25 percent lower.
  • Set-up. If your home already has gas lines connected to an outside source of natural gas but isn’t set up for fuel oil – no fuel tank, no pipes to a tank – sticking with natural gas probably makes the most sense. Similarly, if your home has an oil tank and lines into the house but no connection to the gas supply lines, sticking with fuel oil may be the right decision.
  • Cost of gas vs. oil. As a result of ramped-up domestic petroleum production and a decline in worldwide demand, natural gas is relatively cheap nowadays. These trends haven’t resulted in lower prices for fuel oil. Dollar for dollar, you’ll get a lot more for your money with natural gas than fuel oil.

In many parts of the country, natural gas heating is also more affordable than electric heat pump heating. This is the case even though heat pumps are much more energy efficient than gas furnaces, just not enough to make up the cost differential between natural gas and electricity.

For more help in sorting out the gas vs. oil furnace decision, please contact us at Carefree Comfort, Inc. Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide superior services in Glencoe, Lake Bluff, Lakeforest and other area communities.

You May Also Like

Heat Pump
September 13, 2023

Why Does My Heat Pump in Highland Park, IL, Short Cycle?

Short cycling is a sign of an underlying heat pump problem. Therefore, you should act hastily to address the issue to prevent… Continue Reading Why Does My Heat Pump in Highland Park, IL, Short Cycle?

Read More…

Dusty Vents Increase Energy Bills
August 13, 2023

5 Reasons for Poor Airflow and High Energy Bills in Highland Park, IL

Proper airflow is crucial for maintaining a comfortable and energy-efficient home in Highland Park, IL. Compromising airflow leads to various issues, including… Continue Reading 5 Reasons for Poor Airflow and High Energy Bills in Highland Park, IL

Read More…

Heat Pump Odors
July 13, 2023

4 Heat Pump Odors You Shouldn’t Ignore in Highland Park, IL

A sudden funky smell coming from your heat pump could indicate a range of issues, from something burning to a problem with… Continue Reading 4 Heat Pump Odors You Shouldn’t Ignore in Highland Park, IL

Read More…

Compliance Settings
Increase Font Size
Grayscale
Simplified Font
Underline Links
Highlight Links
Reset
Close