For most of the 21st century, it has been cheaper to heat your home with gas than with oil. This means that about half of all American households use natural gas to heat their homes. Less than 10% use oil.
Thinking of converting from oil to gas? Deciding which type of energy to use to heat your new home? It can be a tough call to make, and every situation and home is different. Let’s break it down to make the choice a bit easier for you.
An Overview of Gas and Oil
Natural Gas
- Has a high installation cost
- Has a lower energy bill
- You don’t have to store anything; gas flows into your house from the common grid
- More eco-friendly than oil
- Has a lifetime of 10-15 years
Oil
- You have to order, store, and manage your own supply. You will need a basement to store your oil tank.
- Not environmentally friendly.
- Oil prices are high right now.
- Very long life expectancy–up to 30 years!
Is The Switch to Gas Worth The Money?
For homeowners in Massachusetts, there can be a big upfront cost to get gas if your house isn’t already connected to the common grid.
Prices vary, but getting connected to the grid and installing a new gas furnace or boiler could cost you anywhere between $3,500 and $10,000.
However, for Massachusetts homeowners, there are lots of rebates & tax breaks to take advantage of.
There can be a big upfront cost to switch, but you will save a lot of money on your monthly energy bill, meaning this is an investment that pays off over time.
Should You Get Gas or Oil?
As you can see by the sheer number of Americans who heat their home with gas, it is a very popular option. However, the upfront cost can be prohibitive for a lot of families. The only way to truly know the best option for your particular house is to get an evaluation from an expert.
Give us a call anytime and we’ll help you pick the perfect fuel source for your home.