Domestic heating: Oil vs Gas
Discussion
We had oil in our current house for a few years in the late 80's but then it was massively cheaper than gas and we could heat the house in mid winter for 70p/day. Gas was put into the village in 1986 and BG compared oil at $40/barrel (same as it is now!!) but in fact it dropped to around $10 when we moved in at the end of 1986. CH oil was around 10p/litre.
We switched to gas anyway when we redid the kitchen/utility as the oil tank was built into the house and we wanted to use the space. Also the boiler was old and massive and it seemed pointless to keep oil if we had to buy a new boiler anyway.
I guess the main disadvantage (apart from cost, which I don't know about) would be that the potential exists to run out (and I gather it can sometimes be hard to get CH oil quickly now) and that the boiler needs proper regular servicing. I suppose the oil could also get nicked, or leak. The tanks don't last for ever.
We switched to gas anyway when we redid the kitchen/utility as the oil tank was built into the house and we wanted to use the space. Also the boiler was old and massive and it seemed pointless to keep oil if we had to buy a new boiler anyway.
I guess the main disadvantage (apart from cost, which I don't know about) would be that the potential exists to run out (and I gather it can sometimes be hard to get CH oil quickly now) and that the boiler needs proper regular servicing. I suppose the oil could also get nicked, or leak. The tanks don't last for ever.
Oil CH is very popular here in NI because gas wasn't that widely available.......
If you run out and have an old boiler you will need to bleed it to get it up and running. Most of the petrol stations here also sell 20 litre drums for emergency use(at a price).
Currently cheaper than the gas at the moment. I have gas and its been very expensive this winter and the price of heating oil has halfed since last year but the gas is still right up there on cost.
My folks have oil central heating, bottle gas installed outside for cooking and a feature gas fire plus a woodburner. All they need now is the wind turbine.
If you run out and have an old boiler you will need to bleed it to get it up and running. Most of the petrol stations here also sell 20 litre drums for emergency use(at a price).
Currently cheaper than the gas at the moment. I have gas and its been very expensive this winter and the price of heating oil has halfed since last year but the gas is still right up there on cost.
My folks have oil central heating, bottle gas installed outside for cooking and a feature gas fire plus a woodburner. All they need now is the wind turbine.
I have oil heating. It's fairly common out in the countryside.
Cost of oil varies daily. 10 yrs ago it cost around £300 to fill the 2200 litre tank, last year when oil was expensive it cost about £850. Last fill-up before xmas was around £500ish. Probably go through 2 tanks / year for heating/hot water. Not too sure how that compares to gas tho
Cost of oil varies daily. 10 yrs ago it cost around £300 to fill the 2200 litre tank, last year when oil was expensive it cost about £850. Last fill-up before xmas was around £500ish. Probably go through 2 tanks / year for heating/hot water. Not too sure how that compares to gas tho
renmure said:
I have oil heating. It's fairly common out in the countryside.
Cost of oil varies daily. 10 yrs ago it cost around £300 to fill the 2200 litre tank, last year when oil was expensive it cost about £850. Last fill-up before xmas was around £500ish. Probably go through 2 tanks / year for heating/hot water. Not too sure how that compares to gas tho
Your tank wasn't empty then.Cost of oil varies daily. 10 yrs ago it cost around £300 to fill the 2200 litre tank, last year when oil was expensive it cost about £850. Last fill-up before xmas was around £500ish. Probably go through 2 tanks / year for heating/hot water. Not too sure how that compares to gas tho
Just before Christmas oil was about 40p per litre.
It's dropped to about 35p now but you'd still be looking at nearer £800 to fill up
whoami said:
renmure said:
I have oil heating. It's fairly common out in the countryside.
Cost of oil varies daily. 10 yrs ago it cost around £300 to fill the 2200 litre tank, last year when oil was expensive it cost about £850. Last fill-up before xmas was around £500ish. Probably go through 2 tanks / year for heating/hot water. Not too sure how that compares to gas tho
Your tank wasn't empty then.Cost of oil varies daily. 10 yrs ago it cost around £300 to fill the 2200 litre tank, last year when oil was expensive it cost about £850. Last fill-up before xmas was around £500ish. Probably go through 2 tanks / year for heating/hot water. Not too sure how that compares to gas tho
Just before Christmas oil was about 40p per litre.
It's dropped to about 35p now but you'd still be looking at nearer £800 to fill up
Mobile Chicane said:
Oil-fired heating results in a pervasive smell of oil (not nice) in the room where the boiler is. Also, the storage tank will need to go 'somewhere' and can be unsightly, not to mention a target for thieves.
Only if you have a leak. I have lived in three houses over 20 years heated by oil, and never a problem with smell.Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff