Fawcett Oil

How Are Natural Gas and Oil-Fueled Heating Systems Different?

Residents of the Northeast have been using heating oil for decades, and this reliable fuel helps keep thousands of homes warm in some of the coldest temperatures in the nation every winter. Natural gas and oil-fueled heating systems are very similar in their operation, but different in a few key ways. Many of the older communities in this area do not have natural gas available, which makes residential oil tanks the best choice for many homeowners. However, natural gas can help streamline HVAC operations and lower costs in many cases. Depending upon the needs of your home or business, you may find one fuel more appropriate than the other.

Basic Components

For dedicated natural gas systems, gas lines need to be run to your property. For many municipal businesses and buildings located near city centers, this should not be a problem. For residential areas and older facilities, oil may be a better option, as oil tanks are used to store heating oil on-site. These tanks can be located in basements, buried outside, or placed above ground in an inconspicuous area.

Aside from oil tanks and natural gas supply lines, the equipment is largely the same for oil-burning and gas-fueled systems. Furnaces and boilers operate the same by burning fuel to generate heat or heat water for radiant heating in your home.

Delivery Differences

Homes and businesses with natural gas receive a constant flow of fuel to their appliances. Buildings that rely on heating oil have tanks that need to be refilled periodically, but automated tank monitoring and oil delivery services keep things streamlined. This is vital for homes outside of areas with natural gas supply.

If you are considering converting to natural gas or exploring oil delivery services for your home or business, contact Fawcett Oil at (888) 717-3397. We offer installation, maintenance, and oil delivery services. Visit our website to learn more about our oil delivery service areas or our natural gas supply services.

Tips for Avoiding Trouble with Your Heating Oil System in Freezing Weather

Whether you’re staying at home this winter or headed for warmer areas, it’s important to have your heating oil system well-maintained and monitored. Without freeze protection, your home’s temperature can drop dangerously low. Even if no one’s home, this can present a risk for frozen pipes, burst plumbing, and other issues. Freeze protection and oil tank monitoring provided by your oil company can take the guesswork out of wondering if your home will be protected this winter. If you’re staying home, you can trust that you’ll have comfortable heat throughout the season.

Sign up for Indoor Temperature Monitoring

At the heart of a freeze protection plan is active, 24-hour monitoring of your home’s indoor temperature. Should your home’s temperature fall below a predetermined point or become dangerously close to freezing, a silent alarm can alert your oil company so they can dispatch a technician to identify problems with your equipment. If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time this winter, this service is essential.

Maintain Your Burner

Burner operation is another vital aspect of freeze protection. Your home cannot be heated unless your furnace or oil burner is functioning properly. By keeping your heating system maintained, you can help prevent issues during the winter. You should also consider active monitoring, which ensures that problems are identified as soon as they arise.

Equip Your Oil Tank Appropriately

If the temperature drops very low, it is possible for your heating oil to thicken. In order to prevent this, you can insulate your oil tank and fuel lines. Another crucial aspect of avoiding problems in freezing weather is ensuring that you always have enough oil. To do this, have your oil tank outfitted with a tank monitor. When your oil is low, automatic deliveries can be made. This ensures that your home heating oil system never runs out of fuel.

Freeze protection and tank monitoring are available to you from Fawcett Oil. Visit our website to learn more about these programs. You can contact us online or at (888) 717-3397 to learn more about heating system maintenance and oil delivery.

Tips for Troubleshooting Your Home Heating System

The most important tip that will keep your home heating system functioning efficiently and trouble-free is an annual inspection by your local heating company. With that said, if you are having problems with your home heating system, there are some things you can do at home to get to the bottom of the problem. Watch the video clip for some tips on troubleshooting your heating system at home before you call the professionals.

Is It Time to Replace Your Heating System?

Holding on to an old furnace or boiler can be expensive, inefficient, and even dangerous. Calling a professional company to replace your heating system with a new one will lower your heating bills and make your home more comfortable. Ask yourself these questions to know if it is time to replace your furnace.

• How Long Have You Had Your Furnace?

Many furnaces and heat pumps cannot perform efficiently beyond 10 years of age. If you have had your furnace or heat pump for more than 10 years, you could save up to 40% on your heating bill by asking your oil company to install more efficient heating equipment. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, it’s definitely time to shop for a replacement. Consider an Energy Star unit, as these are up to 15% more efficient than a non-Energy Star unit.  You may also be able to qualify for up to $800 in cash back rebates for Energy Star rated equipment.

• Have Your Heating Bills Been Going Up?

Heating bills generally go up each year because the cost of energy is increasing. But if you notice a big spike in your heating bill, it could be because your furnace is inefficient and it’s time to replace it. Routinely cleaning and maintaining your furnace helps lower heating costs, but when a furnace has reached a point where it’s properly serviced but still expensive, you know it’s time to have a replacement installed.

• How Often Does Your Heating System Need to Be Repaired?

If you notice that your furnace or boiler needs to be repaired each year or every other year, it’s time to replace it with a new, more efficient model. New furnaces won’t need to be repaired as frequently, if at all for the first few years.

How Installing a New Heating System Can Lower Your Heating Bills

An old heating system is not only expensive to use and maintain, but it’s also harmful to the environment. Consider replacing an old heating system with one that’s more efficient and you will enjoy a clearer conscious and lower heating bills. In the following article you can find out more about how a new heating system will save you money by reducing your heating bill.

• A New Heating System Offers More Efficient Heating

Heating technology makes notable strides every year. If you want to heat your home as efficiently as possible, a new heating system will distribute heat quickly, completely, and efficiently. Instead of pouring money into your heating bill just to keep your house at a livable temperature, upgrade your heating system so that you can enjoy more heat for less money. 

• A New Heat System Requires Less Maintenance

Heating Systems that are approaching 10 years old will require a lot of service. The parts will need to be cleaned, the filters will need to be replaced, and the air registers will need to be vacuumed regularly to ensure you aren’t spending a fortune on heating. Some older heating systems even develop cracks, which need to be fixed right away. A new heating system will need maintenance, but it’s much less likely to need repairs or major services.

• New Heating systems Work Well With Programmable Thermostats

When you get your new heating system installed, ask the company to also put in a programmable thermostat. This feature works by letting you program the heating system to run during certain hours of the day, and turn off during others. Set the thermostat so that it turns down when you are sleeping or out of the house and you should notice a 14% decrease in your heating bill.

To get a top-quality heating system installed in your home, call Fawcett Oil of Cambridge. When you get an energy audit with Fawcett Oil you get a free programmable thermostat.  We are happy to answer any questions that you have about how to save money on heating. Call us at (888) 717-3397 or visit our website for more information.