Oilheat 101

Discover the benefits of today's Oilheat:

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Why Oilheat - Oilheat Benefits - Oil vs. Gas - Heating Systems - Storage Tanks - FAQs

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Why Oilheat?

Oilheat Means All the Comforts of Home for New Jersey Families

Oilheat is competitively priced. The prices for different fuels generally track each other closely. When a gap develops between the prices of two competing fuels, market conditions bring about price parity. Competition among individual Oilheat dealers also keep prices in check. For 16 of the last 20 years, Oilheat has been less expensive than gas heat in the Northeast.

Oilheat is efficient. Thanks to major advancements being made in Oilheat burner technology, some Oilheat systems now boast efficiency ratings of over 90%! Another efficiency fact: modern Oilheat equipment actually burns less fuel. The average annual fuel consumption in 1973 was 1,294 gallons, according to the National Oilheat Research Alliance; in 2001 it was only 800 gallons!

Oilheat has little impact on the environment. The environmental impact from using Oilheat is much lower than the alternatives, especially electric heat and wood. The air pollution emissions from oil burners are insignificant, and oil storage tanks do not pose a threat to the environment because Oilheat is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and biodegradable. Thanks to conservation measures and the increased efficiency of Oilheat equipment, Oilheat consumers today use 6 billion fewer gallons of oil a year than they did in the 1970s. And the Oilheat industry continues to search for ways to conserve even more energy in years to come.

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Oilheat is clean. Today's Oilheat burns 95% cleaner than before. In fact, according to Brookhaven National Laboratory Report Number 52249, entitled "Emissions Characteristics of Modern Oil Heating Equipment," the technological improvements in combustion equipment have reduced total emissions to the environment by 68 million tons a year. Yesterday's burner (pre-1970) emitted .07 pounds of emissions per million BTU, while today's oil equipment emits .003 pounds.

Oilheat is safe. Heating oil is non-explosive. It will not burn in a liquid state. In order to light heating oil on fire, you must heat it above 140 degrees, the temperature at which it begins to vaporize. In contrast, when natural gas or propane leaks, even at room temperatures, an explosive mixture of air and fuel forms rapidly.

Oilheat is dependable and secure. We will not run out of Oilheat anytime soon. There will always be a plentiful supply, even during the coldest winter months. In fact, the United States has a Strategic Petroleum Reserve with a capacity of 700 million barrels - the world's largest emergency oil stockpile - in addition to a two-million-barrel heating oil reserve, one million of which is located in Woodbridge, NJ. There are over 70 oil-producing countries, and the U.S. is not dependent on any one country or region for its supply.

Oilheat tanks provide security. With Oilheat, customers have supply of fuel oil safely stored in a tank on their property. They have control over their heat. There is no need to worry about the weather, pressure drops in the gas pipeline or broken gas mains. Because heating oil is safe, the Oilheat tank can be located anyplace that's convenient - aboveground, underground, in the basement, etc. Propane tanks, conversely, need to be placed 50 feet from the home.

Oilheat gives you personal service. Your local FMANJ dealer provides courteous, prompt, personal attention. Try getting that from your local utility!

Oilheated homes are cozy. When surveyed about their comfort, Oilheat customers say they find Oilheated homes to be cozier than gas or electric heated homes. While we can't measure it, warmth, comfort and a nice cozy feeling are definite heating oil advantages.

Oilheat gives you a choice. You are free to choose from many local Oilheat suppliers. Use the search tool to the right to find FMANJ members who service your area. Moreover, you are free to choose from each member dealer's "menu" of services - everything from service contracts to payment plans to automatic delivery. On the other hand, there is only one big utility.

Oilheat customers are satisfied with their service. According to Oilheat industry research, 95% of Oilheat users are satisfied with their dealer's overall performance and feel they do a good job delivering oil and servicing heating equipment. Seventy percent feel that the gas utility would not give the same personalized service as the Oilheat dealer. They prefer Oilheat for all the reasons mentioned above ... and more!