Why Oil Heat? Only Oilheat meets the safety, economic and reliability factors your family requires. Let's take a look at just how faithful Oilheat is. Safety Non-explosive. That's the essence of oil heat. While all forms of space heating have adequate safety records when the equipment is functioning properly, heating oil, unlike propane or natural gas, will remain stable; heating oil will not explode if there is a build-up of product. As a matter of fact, heating oil, in its liquid state, will not burn. It's among the safest of all combustion sources. Low Carbon Monoxide Risk Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas that is the by-product of combustion of any carbon-based fuel and which can pose serious health risks. Oil, coal, wood, propane and natural gas all emit CO and when functioning properly all heating units are safe. Nevertheless, in the event that a malfunction occurs, oil heat units will emit smoke prior to accumulating dangerous levels of CO. Naturally, this serves as a warning sign. When a natural gas or propane burner malfunctions, however, it will emit dangerous levels of CO before a smoke build-up. Efficiency An Oilheat system's efficiency is a measurement of the usable heat extracted from the potential energy of the fuel. For example, if your system is evaluated at 85%, that means that 85 cents of every dollar spent for heat is consumed in the home. The efficiency of Oilheat ranges between 83% and 94%. By contrast the efficiency of gas units is between 78% and 95%. The average oilheat system in operation today is more efficient then natural gas and although the high-end ratings of gas appear to be attractive, these units exhibit higher water vapor exhaust which can be corrosive and cause more frequent replacement of the equipment. Another way of measuring Oilheat efficiency is to use British Thermal Units (BTUs). One BTU is the heat needed to warm the temperature of one gallon of water one degree Fahrenheit. On a per gallon equivalent basis, heating oil has more BTUs than other sources of space heating. Take a look: Heating Oil: 139,690 BTU/g Natural Gas: 100,000 BTU/Therm (1.4 therms equal one gallon of heating oil) Kerosene: 131,890 BTU/g (1.05 gallons equal one gallon of heating oil) Propane: 91,500 BTU/g (1.52 gallons equal one gallon of heating oil) Electricity: 3,413 BTU/Khw (40.6 khw equals one gallon of heating oil) Economical The price of energy in the region where you live is the most dominant influence on total heating costs. For the past four years the cost of Oilheat has been consistently lower than comparable natural gas costs. We also know that cost is a function of supply and demand. Currently supplies are much greater than anyone imagined. There are now more than one trillion gallons of proven reserves - enough to last far into the approaching millennium. The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy estimates that gas prices are expected to rise an average of 31% faster than oil for every year through 2010. That's terrific news for the thousands of delighted Oilheat customers and those considering a gas-to-oil conversion. Summary Over the years, both the public and private sector have conducted numerous studies in order to determine the efficacy of natural gas and oil. Time and time again, the results have remained unchanged: Oilheat's economical, environmental and technological benefits are unsurpassed. The reasons why are very clear: Oilheat is the most reliable of all home heating energies. Home heating oil is neither flammable nor explosive. When measured in constant dollars, heating oil prices have declined while natural gas prices have increased significantly due to expensive pipeline and utility costs. Residential oil burner particulate emissions are now approaching near-zero levels. Oilheat produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than natural gas. It is better to conserve a BTU of oil than replace it with a BTU of gas. Fewer pollutants are released, and natural gas is less efficient. Oilheat is good for the environment. Simply put, Oilheat is the safe, cost-effective and comfortable choice. Sun Safety Please remember to cover up, wear sun screen and a hat this summer. Protect you and your children from skin disease and serious eye injury? While some exposure to sunlight is necessary, too much can be dangerous, causing immediate effects like blistering sunburns and longer-term problems like skin cancer and cataracts. Overexposure also causes wrinkling and aging of the skin, and scientists are concerned that UV may even impair the human immune system.