Problems With Heating Oil
- Heating oil furnaces come with special considerations.security and heating system image by Canakris from Fotolia.com
Heating oil is a choice for consumers who do not have access to a natural gas service, or who prefer biodiesel fuels. It can be more efficient than gas heat, and may be considerably less expensive, depending on the space to be heated. Heating oil also has some serious potential drawbacks. - Oil furnaces are often older units. But even newer oil furnaces can be noisy and need more maintenance than their gas or electric counterparts. They can also be messier. When the furnace begins a cycle, "puffbacks" can send clouds of soot into the furnace's immediate area or elsewhere in the home. The smell of the oil itself may also be noticeable on occasion.
Because of changes in manufacturing techniques over the last 40 years, as of 2010, the quality of many heating oil supplies has devolved from a clear color (not unlike vegetable oil) in the 1970s to a black, dense mixture today. The thick oil can settle and leave behind sludge in oil tanks, causing problems with the entire system. Sludge can clog pipes and destroy oil filters, which can lead to heat loss. Valves, nozzles and strainers can also clog; any sludge blockage can cause loss of heat.
Oil tank additives are available to help prevent sludge buildup. These may or may not be added by an oil delivery company prior to delivery; ask to be sure. If an oil furnace develops problems with sludge, a heating oil service technician can try additives. - On average, oil furnaces require more maintenance than gas or electric units. Heating oil service technicians often offer service contracts to cover owners who don't want to pay for multiple house calls. Older units can be especially difficult to maintain; when problems occur, they can lead to loss of efficiency and thus increased operating expenses.
If the furnace malfunctions, oil may leak, causing contamination. Some furnaces burn "biofuels" and their environmental value can be a major selling point--so be aware of potential environmental drawbacks. Biofuel leaks and spills can still cause contamination. - Heating oil must be used with a special furnace designed to process that specific kind of oil. Unlike natural gas or electric furnaces, the oil is not continuously supplied to the unit via a municipal source. Heating oil must be delivered to a holding tank at the residence or business, which may impose a unique inconvenience upon owners. While this can actually constitute an advantage if you live in an area where natural gas service is not readily available, scheduling oil deliveries can take some adjustment.
- If heating a large space, using heating oil can be considerably less expensive than heating a comparable space using natural gas. However, when calculating heating costs, be aware that operating the oil burner will use electricity, adding to the expense.
