{"id":1787,"date":"2025-07-14T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fuelsnap.com\/blog\/?p=1787"},"modified":"2025-06-03T13:09:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T17:09:38","slug":"should-you-use-heating-oil-or-propane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fuelsnap.com\/blog\/should-you-use-heating-oil-or-propane\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Use Heating Oil or Propane?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Heating Oil and Propane are some of the most popular sources of home heating in today’s day and age. They both have their own benefits and downsides that could determine weather or not they would be fit for your home. But if you’re thinking about switching to propane or heating oil, then you’ve come to the right place. This is an important decision, so it’s good to be sure that you’re making the right one. In this article, I’ll be covering what you need to know for both heating and propane so you can find out which best suits you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both Fuels are Deliverable<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to Heating Oil and Propane, they are both known as “Deliverable Fuels”. Other forms of heating such as natural gas and electric heat will come to you automatically. However, when it comes to heating oil and propane, they don’t. You have to get them both delivered to your home via a truck. Now, it’s important that you maintain a steady and constant supply of either of these two fuel sources. That’s because if you’re not careful, you can run out of oil which can damage your system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two primary ways to order either oil or propane is by “Call by” or “Automatic Delivery”. Call-by only deliveries are exactly what they sound like. You call when you need oil\/propane and your provider will come out and deliver to you. Call-by is usually cheaper and will save you money. But, you will have to call when you need a delivery, which isn’t an issue if you’re on-top of things! However, if you tend to forget things easily automatic delivery is probably better for you! This plan is a bit more expensive, but it will put your mind at ease for when you need to order oil. You won’t have to worry about when you’ll need oil next and your provider will come out and deliver to you every so often!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s the Difference between Storing Heating Oil and Propane?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Both heating oil and propane are stored in tanks. But the tanks for both are slightly different. Heating Oil tanks can be in all different shapes and sizes and locations. Meanwhile, propane tanks are all roughly the same shape and are located away from the home and are never right up against it. Both fuel tanks for Heating Oil and Propane can hold their desired fuel for a long period of time. Typically, several months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three common tank locations to keep an eye out for on Heating Oil Tanks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indoor Tanks:<\/strong> These are the most common locations where you’ll find Heating Oil Tanks. They are also the most desired. Typically these are in your basement, crawl space or garage. These tanks are never exposed to the outside elements and fluctuation of temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outdoor Tanks: <\/strong>These tanks aren’t as desired as indoor tanks, but are the second most common way you’ll see heating oil tanks. Even though these tanks are located outdoors, they provide an easy and accessible way to access and inspect the tank! But, these tanks will need to be replaced more frequently than indoor tanks because they are exposed to the outside elements and fluctuating temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Underground Tanks: <\/strong>These tanks are the least preferable option, but they are also incredibly rare nowadays. There is no way to inspect these tanks for leaks, making them hard to service. You’ll need to stick measure the tank manually to find out how much oil is in them. Additionally, these tanks are old and often prone to leaking which can cause environmental damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is what your average heating oil tank looks like. You can find them both indoors and outdoors but most commonly indoors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
While Heating Oil tanks have various styles and locations, propane tanks don’t have as many options. There are only ever really two propane tank styles that you’ll see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outdoor Tanks:<\/strong> This is the most common way that you’ll see propane tanks. They are often above ground and are located away from the property incase of a leak. They stick out like a sore thumb, but are in the backyard of the home owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Underground Tanks:<\/strong> Now, these tanks are usually very rare for propane. But they do exist. These tanks are actually preferred because they protect the tank from the elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is what a propane tank tends to look like. You can find them above ground away from the home.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Benefits of Using Propane<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As a fuel source, propane is very versatile. It can be used as a primary fuel source to heat your home, as well as a secondary fuel source for utilities. You can use it heat fuel stoves, fireplaces, furnaces as much more! Most commonly however, they’re used on grills. If you have an outdoor grill that you use during the warmer months, you might find yourself refueling on propane occasionally so that you can cook yourself some hamburgers and hotdogs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Downsides of Propane<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The major downside of using propane is that there is a lack of flexibility. You are always provided a propane tank by your provider. Meaning that you don’t own your propane tank. This means that you’re only able to order from that propane provider when you need to order. You’ll also be unable to order from a different distributor because in some states it’s illegal to fill another provider’s tank. For this reason, most propane tank providers are a little pushy when it comes to selling tanks and propane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Propane tank providers will often make a large profit on selling propane when they get you to switch from heating oil. What they don’t tell you is that propane is very restrictive. The biggest restriction is the fact that you don’t own your tank. But say for example you want to switch to heating oil or switch to a different provider. Well in that case, the provider will have you buy your tank. This can often cost you several thousand dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You also can’t top off your tank incase you run out of propane. You’ll have to wait for you to get close to running out before you place an order. Because of this, you won’t be able to get any propane in an emergency situation. You’ll have to wait until your provider schedules your next delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Benefits of Heating Oil<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Heating Oil burns incredibly hot! Because heating oil will burn much hotter than propane, you’ll often get more heat per gallon of heating oil than per gallon of propane. Usually a gallon of propane will produce a total of 91,500 BTUs. This sounds like alot but only about 86,000 of those BTUs are actually effective. One gallon of Heating Oil on the other hand, produces 138,500 BTUs with 117,000 of those BTUs being effective. If you do the math, propane actually produces 30% less <\/strong>heat than heating oil would. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another huge benefit to heating oil is that YOU OWN YOUR TANK!<\/strong> You can typically buy a heating oil tank from your local Home Depot or Lowes. You can order oil whenever you need it, regardless of when your next scheduled delivery is. Owning your tank gives you the freedom you’ll want to have when ordering oil in an emergency, or if you just want to get ahead of the game. You’re also not locked into a specific dealer. Yes you can sign up for automatic delivery but say you run out before your next delivery. You can order from FuelSnap<\/a> or another local dealer in your area to buy oil in an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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