A Guide on Buying a Home That Uses Heating Oil

Buying a home can be an exciting but challenging experience. There are many things to consider, from the brands of kitchen appliances to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. The ideal house should provide the happiness and comfort you and your family needs. Therefore, homebuyers need to know what they’re looking for.  

However, many prospective home buyers overlook the significance of the home heating system. It may not be a fancy part of your home, but it has a major impact on the house and the daily lives of the occupants living there. While there are many different types of heating systems, choosing a house that uses heating oil is a smart decision. 

Whether you’re looking for a new home or thinking about upgrading your heating system, take the time to read this article from Burch Oil. In this post, we will provide an overview of everything you need to know about your home’s oil heating system.

How Does an Oil Heating System Work?

There are three ways an oil heating system can warm up your home. These include vents, baseboards, or radiators. Once your thermostat drops below a particular temperature, your heater gets a signal to start heating your home. As the oil heats up, it moves from the tank to the burner through a pump then becomes a warm mist mixed with the air. The fuel and air mix go into the burner, where it creates flames in the combustion chamber. 

Moreover, there are two types of heating oil systems you can choose from: a furnace and a boiler. The main difference between the two is that furnaces use air to heat your home, while boilers use water. Both furnaces and boilers use oil to heat. It starts in the combustion chamber, where the oil becomes flames, and then the heat exchanger heats the gasses or water flowing through the system. 

What Are the Benefits of a Home With an Oil Heating System?

If you’re planning to buy a home that uses an oil heating system, you should consider the following advantages:

Affordability 

Oil heat is a cost-efficient heating method, especially for larger homes. On average, oil prices are 2.5 to 5.5 times lower than electric-based heat. Prices tend to be more affordable because of competition between several independent oil heating dealers. In addition, many companies offer flexible payment plans that make purchasing more practical. Oil also burns hotter than natural gas or electricity, which means your home will be warmed up more quickly and efficiently. 

Eco-Friendly

If you’re going for an eco-friendly option, then the oil heating system is a good choice. With the help of technology, modern oil-burning furnaces now burn 95% cleaner than those in the 1970s. Oil burns clean and has no cancer-causing agents. While it’s a fossil fuel that includes the formation of carbon dioxide, new systems are less of a burden on the environment. For an even cleaner burn, you may want to consider low-sulfur options. 

High-Efficiency 

Today, the efficiency rating of most oil heating systems is around 95%. This means that your system uses less fuel while providing more heat. To save money, you may want to choose a full tank that lasts longer with fewer deliveries. Additionally, this can also be a good thing for the environment since less oil is burned. Keep in mind that oil heat burns 300 degrees warmer than natural gas burns. You should also consider having your heating system regularly inspected to maintain its efficiency. Be sure to hire a company with excellent HVAC services. 

Safety

There’s a common myth that an oil heating system can be harmful. However, oil heat comes in a liquid form, and when exposed to a high degree of heat, it will not explode. Inhalation of oil fumes is also not fatal, unlike gas, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. With an oil heating system, rest assured your family remains safe and well.

Availability

Since natural gas providers usually don’t reach remote areas, an oil heating system is the best alternative. For this reason, you can easily access our heating oil and delivery services from wherever you are. During the winter season, you can also store your supply in a tank to avoid any hassle. 

How Do You Maintain Your Oil Heating System?

Like other heaters, the oil heating system requires regular maintenance to make sure that everything is in perfect working condition. To begin, you should clean your thermostat before the heating season starts to regulate the temperature in your home. If you upkeep the blower and the stack parts of your oil heating system, they monitor the burner. The upkeep helps remove particles and other debris that may slow down the function of your heater. 

There are many maintenance tasks you can do, but the best way to ensure that your heating system functions well is to call a trustworthy company that provides quality HVAC services. They will be able to provide the necessary cleaning or repairing your heating system will require.

What Should You Do Before Buying a Home With an Oil Heating System?

Before setting your cap on a home with an oil heating system, there are a few things you should do. First, you need to examine the condition of the oil tank. You should ask the seller for information and documentation that verifies the oil storage unit. Be sure to thoroughly inspect the tank and check for any damage. 

If the oil tank is starting to show signs of age, it’s best to talk to the seller about replacing the tank as a part of the purchase agreement. This is to avoid any issues in the future, so be sure to check out the home’s oil tank carefully. You don’t want to begin your stay in your new home with heating problems. 

Now that you know how an oil heating system works and its many benefits, be sure to consider this heating system when buying a new home. Not only is it the safest heating option, but it’s also better for the environment and can help you save money in the long run. For more inquiries concerning your HVAC system, look no further than Burch Oil. For heating oil and delivery services, call us today at (301) 373-2131 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment.