Carrier Oil Furnaces
While natural gas models have become the most common type of furnace used in the United States, oil furnaces are still available and commonly found in the Northeast. An oil system heats your home in much the same way as a natural gas model. Instead of natural gas, it uses fuel oil for combustion to generate heat which is distributed to your home’s living spaces through ductwork. Because an oil fire burns hotter than other fuel sources, oil furnaces can heat up your home quickly and can easily maintain your comfort when the temperature drops outside.
If your current oil furnace is getting to the point that you are thinking of replacing it, a Carrier oil furnace is a great choice. Carrier offers modern, efficient oil furnaces that can be the foundation of a year-round comfort system.
How Does an Oil Burning Furnace Work?
An oil burning furnace uses home heating oil that is supplied by a delivery company and stored in an oil tank at your home. The furnace is controlled by a thermostat that monitors the indoor temperature and manages the heating process. When the thermostat tells your furnace to heat, heating oil flows into an oil burner in the furnace’s combustion chamber. The oil is ignited to create heat that warms up the unit’s heat exchanger. A powerful blower fan in the oil furnace pulls air from your home and across the surface of the heat exchanger to warm the air. The heated air circulates back to your home’s living spaces through a network of ducts that typically run behind walls, under floors or above ceilings. When your home’s indoor temperature reaches the setting on your thermostat, the heating cycle ends. Visit our how do oil furnaces work page to learn more about this topic.
What is the difference between a gas furnace and an oil furnace?
Gas furnaces and oil furnaces differ mainly in their fuel sources and efficiency. Oil heat works by burning fuel oil in oil burners, providing a reliable heat source, in lieu of relying on natural gas and electricity. Gas furnaces, on the other hand, often use natural gas or propane and are generally more energy-efficient, with fewer emissions and lower operational costs. Oil furnaces require regular maintenance and proper storage of furnace oil, while gas furnaces tend to need less upkeep. Both systems heat your home effectively, using warm air systems to distribute heat. Learn more on our comparing types of furnaces page.
Oil Furnace Benefits
Oil furnaces rose to popularity in the 1920s for their ability to warm people’s homes without having to manage a coal or wood-burning fire. Today, they are still the best option in some areas, especially if natural gas is not available. If you currently own a home that relies on heating oil, a new, energy efficient Carrier oil furnace can be a cost-effective solution when it’s time to replace your existing system. Today’s oil furnaces can offer high efficiency operation compared to older models. They can also include comfort-enhancing features like variable-speed airflow. With a variable-speed fan, you can enjoy long, smooth and consistent heating cycles with fewer up-and-down temperature swings. When installed with an air conditioner, a variable-speed oil furnace can also improve comfort with enhanced humidity control during the summer months.
How Does an Oil Burning Furnace Work?
An oil burning furnace uses home heating oil that is supplied by a delivery company and stored in an oil tank at your home. The furnace is controlled by a thermostat that monitors the indoor temperature and manages the heating process. When the thermostat tells your furnace to heat, heating oil flows into an oil burner in the furnace’s combustion chamber. The oil is ignited to create heat that warms up the unit’s heat exchanger. A powerful blower fan in the oil furnace pulls air from your home and across the surface of the heat exchanger to warm the air. The heated air circulates back to your home’s living spaces through a network of ducts that typically run behind walls, under floors or above ceilings. When your home’s indoor temperature reaches the setting on your thermostat, the heating cycle ends. Visit our how do oil furnaces work page to learn more about this topic.
What is the difference between a gas furnace and an oil furnace?
Gas furnaces and oil furnaces differ mainly in their fuel sources and efficiency. Oil heat works by burning fuel oil in oil burners, providing a reliable heat source, especially in regions without access to natural gas and electricity. Gas furnaces, on the other hand, often use natural gas or propane and are generally more energy-efficient, with fewer emissions and lower operational costs. Oil furnaces require regular maintenance and proper storage of fuel, while gas furnaces tend to need less upkeep. Both systems heat your home effectively, with oil furnaces using warm air systems to distribute heat and gas furnaces often integrating more seamlessly with modern HVAC setups. Learn more on our comparing types of furnaces page.
Pros and Cons of an Oil Heating System
When considering an oil heating system for heating your home, it's important to weigh both its benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the pros and cons can help you make an informed decision about whether this type of heating solution is the best fit for your needs and circumstances.
Pros:
- Reliable heat source
- Can be less expensive to install than other furnace types
- Suitable option when gas pipelines aren't available
Cons
- Generally less efficient than a gas furnace
- Furnace oil must be purchased and stored, an additional cost for homeowner
- May require more maintenance than other furnace types
How Much Do Oil Heating Systems Cost?
When researching the costs of oil heating systems, be sure you are looking for equipment that is compatible with your home and the available energy sources. In addition to the different fuel systems – like gas furnaces or oil furnaces – there are different methods for heating -- like furnaces and boilers. Both systems heat your home but do so in very different ways. Gas or oil fired boilers use hot water or steam that is piped to radiators around the home. The radiators heat up, and air is warmed as it circulates around the room. Some gas or oil boilers can be equipped to act as a hot water heater for household use as well.
According to HomeGuide.com, oil furnaces can range from $2500 - $6,000 on average with installation included.1 If you need a new oil tank, that range increases to $4,200 – $8,800.1 A high-efficiency model with variable speed operation can push that figure up to $10,000 or more. Depending upon current fuel oil pricing and your usage habits, the cost to operate an oil furnace can be between $80 - $145 per month.1 To learn more on this subject, visit our cost to replace oil furnace page.
Find a Carrier Oil Furnace Expert
Of course, the best and most accurate way to find oil furnace pricing on a system that works for your home is to find a Carrier expert. Your local Carrier dealer understands the nuances of heating systems in your area. With an in-home assessment of your heating needs, a Carrier dealer can provide recommendations on a properly sized oil furnace to fit your home and your budget. Make sure you understand oil furnace cleaning best practices to keep your unit in tip-top shape.
1https://homeguide.com/costs/oil-furnace-cost
