Heating Oil – use and costs
Heating oil is a kind of refined oil that is made from petroleum. It is the main source of heat in most American homes and is mostly used in furnaces to heat buildings and homes. The cost of procuring heating oil may be large depending on the crude oil used for extracting the heating oil and also the refining processes involved.
Use of Oil
Surviving the cold winter months is impossible without providing adequate heating for the homes and buildings. Furnaces that provide heat are regularly cleaned and fuel in the form of heating oil is supplied to ensure they function to their optimum levels. Heating oil can either be stored in underground tanks or can be supplied as and when required. Although the prices of heating oil may vary greatly over a period of time, it is still considered the best source of energy fuel for bringing warmth to homes.
Storage of Oil
Oil is mostly supplied to homes by trucks and can then be stored in underground storage tanks. While it makes sense to fill the storage tanks with heating oil during the summer months when the prices are low, most underground tanks do not have the storage capacity of lasting through the winter months. This results in most homes ending up buying heating oil during winter months at high prices again.
Oil Costs
Heating oil costs vary greatly as with other petroleum products. Although many heating oil suppliers may spread the cost over the year, most households could end up with large utility bills in winter that may even reach shocking levels. Using methods such as weatherproofing homes, careful use of the thermostat and alternative ways of heating the home through fireplaces, etc., can help in controlling the money spent over heating oil purchases.
Alternatives to Using Oil
While oil is the main source of fuel for most homes, it is still costlier as compared to certain traditional methods of heating. Also, simple ideas can keep the bills at a lower cost and the homes warm. These include weatherproofing the house, using close-fitting windows and doors, using weather stripping them to keep out cold winds, allowing the sun to enter the rooms during the day and using insulated curtains to cover windows to prevent heat loss.
There are many more articles in our Appliances, Fixtures, and Furniture sections.