Concerns about price, the environment, and the future supplies of fossil fuels have led some customers to question what fuel is best for home heating. The gas utilities are spending a lot of money trying to persuade customers to convert to their fuel, but the facts provide a clear indication that gas conversion deprives Oilheat customers of some important benefits while doing nothing to preserve the environment or slow the depletion of fossil fuel supplies. Furthermore, conversion is expensive and rarely reduces the customer's heating costs.

The Consumer Energy Council of America (CECA) has weighed in on the debate, saying that fuel conversion is an expensive gamble. "In 95 out of 100 cases, it makes economic sense to stick with oil, and if an energy-related investment is desired, to invest in conservation," CECA wrote in a consumer brochure.

When you compare Oilheat to the competing fuels on a point-by-point basis, Oilheat emerges as the clear best choice.

The supplier. Oilheat is provided by local, independent companies, while gas is sold by utilities. Most Oilheat companies began as small, family-owned businesses, and many are still run that way. Some have expanded to provide customers with full service that includes 24-hour emergency repairs, equipment maintenance and installation, cost management programs, and more. Customer service is generally a top priority for Oilheat dealers. Gas utilities, on the other hand, generally are large conglomerates with no local ties and little or no competition. (Some are not based outside the United States.) Gas utilities generally offer no equipment service and do not assist customers when their equipment malfunctions.

Price. In New York State, Oilheat was a better value than utility gas for 12 of the last 15 years. The demand for a product significantly affects its price, and demand for utility gas could skyrocket in the years ahead if manufacturers follow through on plans to build more vehicles fueled by utility gas.

The Environment. Oilheat has benefited from recent technological advances, like the introductions of Bioheat® and ultra-low-sulfur Oilheat. Utility gas is made up largely of methane, a greenhouse gas, which leaks into the atmosphere during production and distribution. As a greenhouse gas, methane is far more damaging to the earth's ozone layer than the carbon dioxide that all fossil fuel systems emit. Meanwhile, the burning of wood emits a greater load of particulates into the sky than the burning of Oilheat does.

Renewability. Oilheat customers can use renewable fuel without changing their heating equipment, simply by switching to Bioheat®, which is the next generation of Oilheat. Bioheat blends petroleum with plant-based biofuels that are infinitely renewable. Researchers are developing technologies to extract biofuel from non-food plants such as algae to ensure a plentiful, cost-effective supply. Bioheat is approved for use in all Oilheat systems. Utility gas has no renewable component.

Equipment Costs. Leading authorities such as the Consumer Energy Council of America and Money Magazine say that upgrading a home's Oilheat equipment is a better investment than switching to gas heat. Conversions are very expensive: Customers who switch from Oilheat to utility gas pay for abandonment or removal of their oil tank, plumbing, electrical work, chimney work and ducting, laying gas pipe, and more - at a cost of up to $9,000. Upgrading without converting costs much less and can yield fuel savings of 30% or more.

Safety. There are significant differences in the safety records of utility gas and Oilheat. Utility gas ignites readily and can explode if a leak occurs. Oilheat is non-flammable: A lit match dropped into an open container of Oilheat will go out just as if it were dropped in water. Oilheat must be heated to 140 degrees and converted into a vapor before it will ignite. The fuels also vary in terms of carbon monoxide (CO) risk. When utility gas systems malfunction, they produce deadly, invisible, odorless carbon monoxide, giving no warning of any problems before it's too late. Oilheat systems, on the other hand, produce noticeable odors and visible warning signs if there is ever a problem, alerting the homeowner before the CO reaches dangerous levels in the home.

World Supply. There has never been an interruption to the U.S. supply of crude oil or Oilheat, and the U.S. government protects our interests by maintaining strategic reserves of both crude oil and heating oil. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) stores 720 million barrels in Texas and Louisiana - the world's largest emergency stockpile of crude oil. The Northeast Heating Oil Reserve stores 2 million barrels in Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey. In the event of a supply shortage or delivery interruption, the President is authorized to make releases from the reserves.

Access to Supply. Local gas lines can get shut down for many reasons: weather events that put the lines at risk such as tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes; road construction; new buildings, water main breaks, or any work that might utilize a backhoe or otherwise cause a gas leak. Oilheat, on the other hand, is delivered and stored on your property in a safe, secure and accessible storage tank, ensuring a constant supply to keep your family comfortable.