by Clint Rogers

Created on: November 03, 2009

In much of the country, homeowners can choose the way in which they heat their homes. However, when this decision comes down to the differences between oil and propane furnaces, the choice will not always be a clear or easy one. Because a furnaces is a major long term investment and not one a homeowner will likely make again for many years, several variables need to be taken into consideration before any decision is made.

New or Preexisting Home

Along with the cost of purchasing a new unit and its warranty, there are costs associated with installation that need to be considered. If a homeowner is building a new home or purchasing one that is in the process of being built, the difference in installation costs between a propane and oil furnace is minimal. Both require holding tanks and both can be installed outdoors and even underground if preferred. However, over time leaks can develop in hoses, pipes or the tank itself and it is much less expensive to repair an above ground tank than it is to dig up and repair a below ground tank. One must also keep in mind the difference in cleanup of the two leaks. Oil is messy, can damage soil and eventually leak into underground water sources if the leak is not discovered in time. This is particularly true in underground installations. Propane holding tanks have their own set of dangers. While gas leaks outdoors can easily dissipate into the air, stray sparks from close by can ignite the gas and be a threat for explosion or serious injury. With proper maintenance, most dangers can be avoided, but they still must be part of the consideration when choosing which one to purchase.

For older homes, a heating unit will most likely already be installed. Whether it's oil or propane, retrofitting your home to the alternative can be expensive. For example, while both systems require ventilation in order for toxic fumes like carbon monoxide to be safely taken outside, the method of ventilation differs. Both systems can use chimney ventilation, but for an oil system this can be extremely dangerous due to the pipe reaching excessive temperatures, possible leading to fire danger. To properly ventilate an oil system, a vent will need to be installed in the side of the house. Not only is this not aesthetically apealling, the discharge can stain the side of your house while letting out some of the heat that supposedly goes to heating your house, costing you money from wasted oil and increased heating bills. Also, you will need to consider

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