Furnaces and heaters for houses come in many different kinds, and different kinds of furnaces use different fuels for heating. Propane and electricity power some home heating systems, but the natural gas and oil furnace are among the most common types of furnaces.Knowing the differences between them is important if you need to replace your heating unit.
They Are Similar
Both kinds of furnaces are similar in many ways as far as their actual operation. Both use a form of hydrocarbon fuel that is burned at a measured rate in a combustion area. Fans and ducts then distribute the heat around the house with both oil and gas fueled furnaces. The main difference is the fuel itself, the cost of the fuel, and the heating efficiency of each fuel type.
Burning Fuel
Gas and oil heaters are different in how efficient they are in burning fuel. The efficiency of furnaces is rated using the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating which allows comparison between furnaces. AFUE ratings for gas furnaces are about ten percent higher than for oil burning furnaces, but both kinds have ratings of over 80 percent for new units. Gas units can have up to 98 percent efficiency, and oil units up to 90 percent efficiency.
Cost Of The Fuel
The cost of oil fuel is also significantly higher than for natural gas, but the cost of a gas furnace can be considerably lower, off-setting this advantage. The cost of oil is more volatile than natural gas, which is produced in the United States and Canada. The better price stability for natural gas is an advantage for this kind of furnace.
Replacing
When you are replacing an older furnace with either a gas or oil replacement, you will be getting considerably better efficiency that you had with the old heater. Old furnaces can be as much as 30 percent less efficient than either a gas or oil replacement.
Natural gas and oil fueled furnaces both operate and heat a home in the same way. There are some advantages and disadvantages to each, and in the end, which is best is a decision that each homeowner has to weigh for him or herself.
Martin Enterprises
Heating Repair Lake Zurich
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