Heating Oil Conversion
Exploring Propane as a Viable Alternative Energy Source
Sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council
Heating oil, also known as fuel oil or Number 2 oil, has been a popular choice for homeowners since the early 1900s. As an alternative to coal or wood as a fuel source for boilers and domestic hot water production, heating oil proved to be a reliable, clean and economical choice for millions of consumers, especially in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic where other fuel types were often more difficult to acquire or were more expensive. But, it is not an environmentally conscious fuel choice. Propane gas has the same remote fuel benefit, coupled with fewer emissions and higher efficiency equipment. This course details economic and environmental reasons why switching from heating oil to propane is a good choice for homeowners, residential builders or remodelers.
Photo courtesy of Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)
The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC programs benefit a variety of markets including residential and commercial building.
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in December 2024
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Describe the history and current use of heating oil in the United States.
- Acknowledge which alternative fuel sources are available to current heating oil consumers.
- Complete a heating analysis of alternative fuel energy choices.
- Comprehend why propane is a superior alternative to heating oil and be able to explain considerations for converting from heating oil to another energy source.
