Frequently Asked Questions

We hope we were able to answer your questions about Oilheat throughout the pages of this web site. This section lists Frequently Asked Questions about Oilheat, plus what we think will be helpful answers. Please visit www.oilheatamerica.com for more helpful advice.

If you have specific questions regarding equipment brands, prices, full service benefits or other matters pertaining to home heating oil, please consult with your local Oilheat dealer.

Questions about Oilheat Systems

What kinds of Oilheating systems are available?
Today's versatile Oilheat systems can heat with water, steam or warm air. Additionally, a boiler can dispense hot air through the home by using hydro-air. Thus, any Oilheating system is compatible with air conditioning. Oilheat is also a terrific option if you are interested in radiant heat.

How long does a heating system usually last?
As far as longevity is concerned, oil-fired boilers and furnaces easily provide 20 years of service if properly maintained and serviced. Many of these units last even longer, providing quality service to the homeowner for many years.

What is the difference between a furnace and a boiler?
To heat the home a furnace uses air and a boiler uses water. A furnace uses the flame from the oil burner to heat air, which is distributed throughout the house. A boiler uses the flame to heat water that is either sent around the house in pipes to radiators, or is sent to a fan coil unit that heats air.

How does an oil burner work?
Heating oil in liquid form must be turned into vapor and mixed with air before it can burn. The oil pump lifts the oil from the storage tank, pressurizes it and delivers it to the burner's nozzle that sprays the oil in a fine mist of small droplets. This process is call atomizing. These droplets are mixed with air and then ignited by a spark from the burner's ignition system. The flame from the oil burner heats the air in a heat exchanger inside the boiler or furnace. On one side of the metal is the flame, and on the other is the water or air that circulates in the house. All of the emissions from the oil flame (mostly nitrogen, water, and carbon dioxide) are sent up the chimney.

How does Oilheat heat water?
There are two kinds of Oil-fired water heaters: direct-fired and indirect-fired. A direct-fired water heater heats the water in a storage tank directly by the heat of the oil flame on the outside of the tank. You'll usually find a direct-fired water heater in a home with a warm air furnace.

Indirect-fired water heaters heat the water in the home with a boiler. The boiler water heats the domestic water. The domestic water and boiler water are separated by a heat exchanger. The most common indirect is the tankless coil. It is a coil of copper pipe inside the boiler. The water flows through the inside of the coil where it is heated by the boiler water surrounding it. It is then delivered to the faucets and appliances around the house. A better option uses a combination of a coil and a storage tank. The boiler water flows through the coil. The domestic water is heated by the coil and stored in the tank until a faucet or appliance is turned on.

Questions about Oil

Where does heating oil come from?
There are over 50 oil-producing countries. The U.S. is not overly dependent on any one region for our supply. More than 40% of our crude oil comes from the USA. Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia are our other main suppliers. The world's total proven reserves of crude oil are about 10% higher than they were in 1980. We are finding oil faster than we are burning it. This makes oil a dependable heating fuel of choice.

How is heating oil made?
Heating oil is refined from crude oil. The refining process first separates crude oil into different "fractions" by using a distillation process. The middle distillates are then further refined to produce gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel and No. 2 home heating oil.

Why choose Oilheat?
If you want heat that is clean, comfortable, environmentally friendly, efficient, economical, dependable, safe and versatile, Oilheat is for you.

What is the difference between "automatic" delivery and "will call"?
"Automatic" delivery means that an Oilheat dealer will automatically determine when a customer needs fuel by using degree day monitoring. The customer does not need to place a call to the dealer for a delivery. The dealer will automatically deliver fuel on a regular basis and the customer is assured of never running out of fuel.

"Will-call" means that a customer will monitor their own consumption and "will call" the dealer when a delivery is needed.

What is the average consumption of a household?
The Oilheat industry has made great progress with energy conservation. In 1978 the average American home burned 1,297 gallons per year. In 2005, the average number of gallons burned was 860. This is a 33.6% decrease per household! A new system offers exceptional efficiency - you could save up to 25% or more in heating and hot water costs.

What has changed over the years with heating oil?
We have dramatically reduced the amount of sulfur in the fuel from over 1% in 1970 to an average of .2% today (an 80% reduction). This leads to improved efficiency, cleaner burning, lower environmental impact, and increased longevity for heating equipment. Today, many dealers have gone even further, marketing .05% sulfur fuel.

Questions about Tanks

Should I be concerned about my tank?
Tanks are an effective way to store oil, and with proper maintenance can last virtually forever. You should not be concerned if you or your oil dealer are taking care of the tank.

When is it time to replace my oil tank?
Home heating oil tanks last a long time. They are made of high-grade steel, fiberglass, or sometimes double wall tanks of plastic and steel, and can last for decades. Maintenance of the tanks and inspections prolong the life of the tank. You should talk with your Oilheat retailer about the potential need to replace your tank. Your dealer can provide advice on how to evaluate the tank, and replacement options.

What should I do when it is time to change my tank?
Consult with an Oilheat professional as to the ideal tank size, type, and installation location for your home. NORA recommends that, if possible, install the tank inside a building or enclosure to protect it from the elements.

What should I look for in a tank installation and maintenance?
A professional should install it. Tank installation is NOT a do-it-yourself weekend project. Have it inspected periodically. This can be done during your oil burner preventive maintenance check. The service personnel should look around the tank; inspect the fittings, the area the tank is in, and the tank itself. You should ensure that the tank is away from debris and bushes, and metal objects should not be leaned on the tank. Also, if there is a smell of oil from the tank, bring it to the attention of your Oilheat dealer. If a tank is corroding from the inside out, smells and small wet spots can indicate the tank is beginning to fail.

What causes tank failure?
The answer is corrosion. Corrosion is a natural process. It is essentially rust. Corrosion can only occur in the presence of water. That is why it is very important to protect the tank from exposure to water inside the tank. An outside tank does not have to be protected from rain, but it should be painted, and inspected to ensure that any rusting is only on the surface.

Questions about Economic Issues

Why are oil prices higher than they were a few years ago?
There are a lot of reasons but the fundamental issue is that demand is out pacing supply. China and India's demand for energy has increased dramatically as their economies grow. North American demand has also increased since 1999 as has Europe's. Meanwhile, supply has been unable to keep pace because of the war in Iraq, decreased production by Venezuela and Nigeria, the impact of hurricanes on US production, and a lack of investment to increase infrastructure (wells, refineries, pipelines, ships, and storage facilities) during the late 90s. Investment in oil production was low because oil prices in the 90s were at an all time low.
Oil prices have yet to come back down because of international uncertainty. Iran is the forth-largest oil producing country, and its future is in doubt. Terrorism continues to threaten Middle East production. Possible future hurricanes threaten Gulf of Mexico production.

Will oil prices ever come back down?
Yes. If you look at oil prices over time you see that oil prices go up, and go down. They always have and they will continue to do so. Now that oil prices are high, investment in increasing oil production are at record levels. Meanwhile, since oil prices are high, investment in energy conservation and alternative energy sources such as Bioheat are also at record levels. The combined effect will be increased supply, decreased demand, and decreased oil prices. Some experts predict that oil prices will drop to 1999 (the all time low) levels by 2010.

What do you recommend consumers do to combat higher energy costs?
Heating oil consumers should first talk with their heating oil retailer about Oilheat buying programs such as price caps and fixed price programs. They should also establish a budget plan with their retail dealer. The best strategy continues to be conservation - whether that means dusting off radiators for greater efficiency, purchasing a programmable thermostat or upgrading your heating system. For a list of conservation tips for every season of the year, click here.

Where can homeowners go for help in paying their heating oil bills?
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs. Applications are taken at all local departments of social services. For information on where to apply, call 1-800-342-3009.