Oilheat companies are independent, and they compete aggressively for their customers' loyalty.
Gas and electric utilities have always been state regulated monopolies. They have had no competition from other gas and electric companies. The government guaranteed them a profit. They are much larger that the Oilheat companies. Oilheat Industry surveys indicate that the utilities tend to be bureaucratic and unresponsive toward their customers. A utility industry executive admitted that utilities count meters, and oil dealer count customers.
It is true that some states are starting to decontrol electric and gas, but it will take a long time for that to happen, and even longer for the former monopolies to learn how to compete as Oilheat companies do with their famous "I'll be right over" service.
Oilheat is the Choice for Energy ConservationThe Oilheat Industry has an impressive record of helping our customers conserve energy. We provided a positive response to the oil embargoes of the 70s. Local oilheat companies worked closely with their customers to help them conserve energy. Oilheat equipment manufacturers improved the efficiency of oil burners and heating equipment. The results are impressive. In 1973 it took 1,294 gallons of oil to heat the average home. Today the average Oilheat homeowner uses 833 gallons.
Thanks to conservation measures, and the increased efficiency of new Oilheat equipment, Oilheat customers today use 6 billion fewer gallons of oil a year than they did in the 1970s, The Oilheat Industry continues to search for ways to conserve even more energy in the future.
Oilheat is an Excellent Investment
If you are buying a new home, you can assure yourself of a reliable, economical heat supply by choosing a home with a modern Oilheat system. You can also reduce your heating bills by converting your present home from electric, natural gas, propane, or wood heat to Oilheat. Since heating oil prices are typically 2.5 to 5.5 times lower than electricity prices, converting electric resistance heat, heat pumps, and electric water heaters to oil is an especially good way to reduce your home heating costs.
If you own an older Oilheat system, you can upgrade it with a new oil burner, furnace, or boiler. You can enjoy considerable savings and the luxury of unlimited hot water by replacing your electric or gas water heater with an oil powered water heater system.
These conversions and upgrades can often return your investment costs in one or two years, and continue to provide you handsome tax-free returns on your investment year after year.
Oilheat is Economical
Oilheat is significantly less expensive than electric heat and propane. From 1987 to 1995, the average prices of oil and natural gas in the United States were comparable. The average price for oil has been lower than gas since 1995. Oil is now also cheaper than gas in most of Canada.
The best way to compare energy prices in your market is to look at the price per unit of heat value. Scientists measure heat value in British Thermal Units or BTUs for short. A BTU is the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water one degree F. It is about the heat of a birthday candle flame.
- Heat Oil has 138,690 BTUs per gallon.
- Natural Gas has 1,030 BTUs per cubic foot. 135 Cubic feet equals the heat content of one gallon of oil.
- Kerosene has 131,890 BTUs per gallon. 1.05 gallons equals the heat content of one gallon of oil.
- Propane has 91,500 BTUs per gallon. 1.52 gallons equals the heat of one gallon of oil.
- Electricity has 3,413 BTUs per kilowatt hour (kwh). 40.6 kwh equals the heat content of one gallon of oil.
- Wood: One full cord of wood has the heat value of 95 gallons of oil.
- Anthracite Coal has 12,000 BTUs per pound. About 12 pounds equals the heat content of one gallon of oil.
Energy prices can vary widely. Your full-service Oilheat dealer can help you compare energy prices in your area and calculate your potential savings with Oilheat.
