What are the savings and benefits of converting from oil to propane?
Homeowners are switching away from fuel oil to gain efficiency, comfort, and reduced maintenance with propane systems. Some customers make the switch when their oil furnace is at the end of its lifespan, but others are switching preemptively to reduce their energy costs and their carbon footprint.
Simply converting from oil to propane offers about 18% savings. Jumping from a standard boiler to a high-efficiency condensing propane unit brings the efficiency of the equipment from 82% to 96%. The high-efficiency propane boilers also modulate to provide the exact amount of heat needed, rather than just being fully on or off.
The pure efficiency of propane furnaces is just one of the benefits of switching. Pros say several other factors can also impact the decision:
Ultimate control and comfort. Oil furnaces are like a light switch: They’re either all on or all off. Propane furnaces, on the other hand, can operate like a dimmer switch, with features such as two-stage gas valves and variable-speed blowers that control the temperature very close to the set point. That feature is particularly effective for homes with zoning, where only one part of the house requires heat.
In fact, some homeowners who have furnaces in uninsulated attics and are concerned about condensation freezing are upgrading to noncondensing propane furnaces, even though they have a similar efficiency level as oil furnaces. You can get a better fan, you’ve got better controls, and it’s still a better furnace. Plus, an 80% efficient gas furnace is about half the price of an oil furnace with the same efficiency level.
Versatility. Unlike many oil furnaces, gas furnaces are generally air conditioner–ready, and most can easily be paired with indoor air quality products such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air cleaners.
And propane itself offers the flexibility of fueling other appliances in the home. When homeowners want to upgrade their clothes dryer or kitchen range to gas, or add a standby generator or pool heater, they’ll already have the propane systems in place to fuel those amenities.
Simplified installation. Oil furnaces are typically vented one way: up, through the chimney. That can be a problem in older homes, where the furnace exhaust has deteriorated the chimney’s terra-cotta liner or if the chimney is starting to lean. Condensing propane furnaces can be vented through the side wall, with inexpensive PVC pipe.
No electrical upgrades. Gas furnaces use the same voltage as oil furnaces, so there’s no need to upgrade a home’s electrical panel or generator. Switching to a heat pump, by comparison, could require a new 200-amp panel, which could cost up to $2,000 to upgrade.
Maintenance and warranty. Today’s gas furnaces are practically bulletproof. Many use stainless steel primary and secondary heat exchangers to improve reliability and provide unbeatable warranties.
Watch this video to learn more about going PRO for your home heating!
If you’re considering making the switch after learning of the savings and benefits of converting from oil to propane, let Total Fuel Service put our years of experience to work for you.
The experts at Total Fuel Service are here to help you make the best decision for your home. Contact us today to learn more about our dependable products, delivery, and service.
Sources: https://propane.com/2021/02/05/how-much-can-you-save-switching-from-oil-to-propane-bwp/, https://propane.com/2018/09/25/oil-to-propane-furnace-conversions-growing/