Should You Convert Your Oil Heating System to Propane in Central CT?

When you live in Central CT, choosing how to heat your home is a critical decision. Whether you prioritize energy efficiency, cost-savings, environmental friendliness, or reliability, both heating oil and propane offer many benefits when it comes to providing stability and reliability for powering your home’s appliances. If you currently have an oil heating system, you may be wondering if you should convert your system to propane. Before you take the leap, it’s best to find as much information on each type of system and fuel as possible. Keep reading this post from Dutch Oil & Propane to learn the pros and cons of both propane and oil heating systems so you can make the best decision for your home.

Should You Convert Your Heating System from Oil to Propane in CT?

Pros and Cons of Propane Heating

Propane is known for its affordability, energy efficiency, and eco-friendliness. It’s also one of the most versatile fuel options available with the ability to power numerous indoor and outdoor appliances! However, propane has a lower BTU output when compared to oil, which might make it less efficient in extremely cold climates. The other factor to consider is that modern propane heating systems are more efficient than older oil heating systems, with ratings of 90-98% or above. While converting to propane can be more expensive upfront compared to oil, the fuel and routine maintenance costs of propane are generally more affordable than oil, and homeowners typically earn back their upfront installation costs in savings within the first two years.

• Pro: Efficiency
• Pro: Clean Burning
• Pro: Versatility
• Pro: Affordability
• Con: Initial Cost

Pros and Cons of Oil Heating

Oil heating produces more heat per BTU than propane, which makes oil furnaces very efficient in extremely cold weather. Yet, the most important factor when considering costs for your oil system is its age; modern oil heating systems can reach efficiency ratings of up to 98%, but older systems can be as inefficient as 60% or less. While oil has a greater energy density, meaning that compared to propane, less fuel is needed to produce the same amount of heat, oil prices can be a bit unpredictable due to the nature of fuel economy, and they are generally noticeably higher compared to propane prices, which can sometimes lead to uncomfortable and unpredictable heating costs during the winter.

• Pro: Higher BTU Output
• Pro: Higher Energy Density
• Con: Pricing Can Be Unpredictable
• Con: Requires More Maintenance

Related Post: What You Need to Know When Installing a New Heating System

Contact Dutch Oil & Propane for an Oil-to-Propane Conversion Consultation

Do you still have questions about which type of system is best for your home? Whether you are looking for the most efficient fuel system or the best one for cost-savings, both oil and propane come with many benefits.  Contact the heating professionals at Dutch Oil & Propane! We’d be happy to answer your questions.