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When you\u2019re choosing the best type of heating for your Eastern Massachusetts home, it\u2019s wise to compare different fuels or energy sources. Oil, gas, and electricity are the three most common heating fuels used to keep homes comfortably warm during our extended heating seasons. Gas heating systems are particularly preferable in densely populated areas due to their lower fuel costs and easier delivery methods. Gas, electric, and oil heat each offer multiple choices for heating systems and equipment:<\/p>\n
The popularity of electricity, natural gas, and oil for home heating<\/a> varies greatly. According to the Massachusetts government<\/a>, over 50% of homes in the state are heated by natural gas. Oil heating is used in roughly 27% of residences, and 15% of homeowners rely on electric heat<\/a>. While there are several options for heating a home with electricity, methods such as individual electrical heaters and electric furnaces are less effective and more expensive than using natural gas or heating oil.<\/p>\n Natural gas heating releases carbon dioxide during operation, contributing to climate change and potentially affecting indoor air quality.<\/p>\n To help you make an informed choice about whether oil, gas, or electric\u00a0heating is best for your home, here\u2019s an overview of each of these energy sources.<\/p>\n The heating oil used in\u00a0residential<\/a> furnaces and boilers is refined from crude oil taken from underground reserves. Once it’s refined, heating oil is transported by\u00a0pipeline, tank trucks, or railroad tank cars to oil terminals and bulk storage facilities, then delivered to individual local heating oil marketers.<\/p>\n Natural gas is a fossil fuel that forms and collects in between and within rock formations, and within some crude oil\u00a0and coal deposits. It’s found in various locations around the globe, and natural gas deposits are currently being accessed in 32 states across the U.S. Once the gas is brought to the surface, it’s sent to natural gas plants for processing and then distributed through a network of pipelines to suppliers nationwide.<\/p>\n The electricity used in Massachusetts homes is generated at power plants that rely on another energy source such as coal, refined crude oil, natural gas, wind, solar, or hydropower. Electricity then travels through high voltage transmission lines, substations, and neighborhood power lines to individual homes. Here, the electricity goes through a meter and gets distributed via the main breaker panel for various uses, including home heating.<\/p>\n Electric heat pumps offer significant advantages over natural gas heating systems, including improved energy efficiency and environmental benefits.<\/p>\n Electric heating equipment includes electric furnaces, baseboard heaters, and electric heat pumps.<\/p>\n The easiest way to judge the benefits and drawbacks of gas, oil, and electric heating<\/a> is to look at how they compare side-by-side based on key factors like the following:<\/p>\n Electric furnaces are often praised for their efficiency and lower maintenance costs compared to other heating options. They are also more accessible and can offer significant cost savings over time.<\/p>\n Regardless of whether you choose oil, gas, or electricity as your energy source for home heating, the cost of new heating equipment depends on the size needed to heat your home, the type of heating system<\/a>, and whether you opt for a model with a high-efficiency rating. Generally:<\/p>\n There are extra expenses involved in installing gas or oil heating. With oil, you’ll need to purchase a storage tank and have it installed outdoors on your property. With gas heating<\/a>, you’ll need to have a service line run from the gas main and get a meter\u00a0installed.\u00a0When comparing the upfront costs of oil and gas vs. electric heating equipment, keep in mind that heat pumps work<\/a> as\u00a0heaters during the winter, then reverse\u00a0function to provide central air conditioning during the summer.<\/p>\n Most homes today are connected to the electrical grid, so the power source for an electric heat pump<\/a> is already available. Underground gas mains are also in place in many towns and cities in Eastern Massachusetts, but if your home is more rural, or in a community without this essential infrastructure, gas heating may not be an option.\u00a0Oil for home heating is delivered by the tankful and readily available from numerous heating oil suppliers across the North Shore<\/a> area.<\/p>\n When\u00a0it comes to electric\u00a0home<\/a> heating, heat pumps are the best option to compare with oil and gas because they’re 100% to 300% efficient. Some components of these heating systems<\/a> run\u00a0on electricity, but\u00a0instead of consuming energy to create heat, they use refrigerant to capture the warmth from the air outdoors and transfer it inside a home where the heat is released.<\/p>\n Thanks to industry advancements, heat pumps<\/a> are now available\u00a0that can absorb heat outdoors at\u00a0temperatures as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit. These cold-climate units can\u00a0meet a large portion of your\u00a0home heating needs, but you’ll still need a gas or oil furnace or boiler to stay comfortably warm during Massachusetts cold snaps.<\/p>\n Gas furnaces are available with efficiencies of up to 98%, while oil-fired heating equipment efficiencies range\u00a0from 78% to 87%. Highly efficient heating units are usually ENERGY<\/a> STAR-certified, and they convert a higher percentage of fuel into heat compared to\u00a0standard models.<\/p>\n The costs of natural gas, heating oil, and electricity are based on different units of measure, and the prices for gas and oil\u00a0can fluctuate during a single heating season, and from year to year. Upkeep is another operating expense, and your potential costs depend\u00a0on the type of equipment and whether it uses electricity or burns gas or oil.<\/p>\n For expert help deciding if oil, gas, or electricity is better for your Greater Boston home, contact us\u00a0today at 128 Plumbing to schedule a cost-free consultation<\/a>.<\/p>\nHeating Oil<\/h3>\n
Natural Gas<\/h3>\n
Electric Heating<\/h3>\n
A Comparison of Oil, Gas, and Electric Heating<\/h2>\n
Initial Costs of Oil, Gas, and Electric Heating Equipment<\/h3>\n
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Availability of Electric, Gas, and Oil for Heating<\/h3>\n
Energy Efficiency of Electric, Gas, and Oil Heating Systems<\/h3>\n
Operating Costs for Electric, Gas, and Oil Heat<\/h3>\n
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Get\u00a0Home Heating Advice at 128 Plumbing<\/h2>\n