You’re considering buying a home, but it’s heated by oil and not by gas. Should this be a deal breaker? The popular DIY YouTube channel Silver Cymbal compares heating oil and natural gas.
One advantage of heating oil is that you do not have to deal with the problems of buried gas pipelines.
The natural gas pipeline system in America is becoming old. Older, corroding pipes are prone to many problems, from blockages to leaks. You have to wait for the gas company to replace old pipes.
Healing oil is stored in a large tank either outside of your home or in your basement. Often, only one delivery is needed a year. Heating oil lines are protected with concrete to prevent leaks.
Heating oil is flammable, but not as flammable as natural gas. Heating oil leaks do not cause the powerful explosions that natural gas leaks cause. When an oil tank leaks, it causes a mess, but it is not the immediate fire hazard that a natural gas leak would be. In the event of a spill, you need to turn off all of the power in your home and call the fire department to help clean up the spill.
So, get that house that uses heating oil after all. Oil may be different than what you are used to, but in many ways, it’s a safe alternative to natural gas.
