Heating oil is a great option for many home-owners to keep their house warm, but one that many don’t know about. It isn’t widely used, but those who do use it can actually reap many benefits.
If you are reading this, you most likely use a typical gas heating system in your home, right? Whilst there is nothing wrong with this, you could save yourself some serious energy and money by exploring other options. Plus, not everyone has access to the national grid – 10% of homes are forced to use other methods, which may actually benefit them in the long run.
Oil central heating is the most common alternative to gas, so tends to be used in homes located in more rural areas or big homes with many rooms to heat up. Despite it being used by so many people, it isn’t widely known about.
Here is everything you need to know about this home heating method!
What is oil central heating?
Oil central heating involves a large amount of oil being stored in a tank at your property. The oil can be used in combination with an oil boiler, where it acts in the same way as gas to heat water, which then heats the radiators around your home.
There are two types of oil that can be used to heat your home, which are different in their burning times. However, it is worth opting for the safest and cleanest option if possible, which is kerosene.
How much does it cost?
The amount of heating oil required will, of course, affect the price. Most storage tanks can hold around 1000 to 2000 litres therefore with the average home using around 1400 litres per year, you shouldn’t require too many deliveries of oil. If you find the right company for you, you should be able to split your oil costs over the year, as you would with other heating methods like gas.
Rix are an example of a company that offers a flexible payment plan; they supply high-quality and reasonably priced domestic heating oil across the UK. If your family is considering using oil central heating, their professionals can help with the entire process, from installing your tank and boiler if necessary, to making sure you get your supply of oil delivered exactly when you need it.
One thing to keep in mind when considering using oil central heating is the initial installation costs. The equipment needed to heat your home is significant in size so you would need to pay for the time and effort required to transport and place your tank etc. If you compare this to the potential savings you could make in the long run though and the fact that your oil tank can last you up to twenty years, it’s definitely worth it!
Who can use oil central heating?
Practically any home in the UK can use an oil central heating system, if you have enough room for the oil storage tank to be kept. As you can imagine, to store thousands of litres of oil, these have to be pretty big. The warmer the location where you can store your tank, the better, as this will help increase the efficiency of your system. An ideal location would be a spare room indoors like a garage.
If not though, tanks can be placed outside, no problem. It is advisable to make sure that you have space for your oil tank to be out of plain sight. They cost a significant amount to install so it is not worth putting them at risk of theft or vandalism.
What are the benefits of using heating oil?
Oil central heating may sound expensive when you take into account the initial investment for installation, but actually, it is a highly efficient domestic fuel. The force and high temperature of the fuel means that a lot more heat is given off, without having to use more energy. You can essentially warm your home up super quickly, without having to fork out tons of money for your energy bills each month as a result. Sounds good, right?
As well as being cheaper than other methods like gas and electricity, you can pay for your oil central heating as you wish. The price of oil does fluctuate, but if you pay for your oil all at once for the year or opt to have your oil price fixed, you don’t have to worry about your bills increasing each month.
On top of the financial benefits of oil central heating, it is also arguably a lot safer than using, for example, a gas boiler. Gas is completely invisible so if there is a leak, it is practically impossible to detect. In a family home the last thing you want to worry about is a gas leak. Opting for an oil boiler completely removes this risk and gives you peace of mind, knowing that if there was to be an oil leak, it can be easily spotted and looked at.
Interested in installing oil central heating in your home? Great, prepare to save yourself money and a lot of worry!
