Staying warm in the winter is vital in our home state of New York, and it’s no wonder why property owners pay big money every month to do it. Home heating in New York is one of the oldest home services offered in the area, and there are many different heating methods used nowadays.
In this article, we are going to talk about oil heating vs electric heating. These are two of the most popular heating methods in New York, since heating oil was installed in some of the oldest buildings in New York City, and electrical is one of the most powerful modern conversions for these properties.
Oil Heating vs Electric Heating
There are benefits and drawbacks to both oil and electric heating, so let’s break down which might be right for you.
Pros and Cons
| Oil Heating Pros and Cons | |
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Exceptionally high heat output✔ Low cost, especially in high-demand seasons✔ Super reliable systems✔ Perfect for the coldest seasons | ✘ Requires oil storage tank✘ More maintenance than electric systems |
| Electric Heating Pros and Cons | |
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Easier zoned heating✔ Nearly zero maintenance required✔ Great for mild climates or supplemental heat | ✘ Lower heat output✘ Shorter lifespan than oil heating systems✘ Higher cost in coldest seasons |
Head-to-Head Comparison
While pros and cons give you a decent look at what each heating method offers in a vacuum, we know that property owners are often looking for a direct comparison to help them choose between two options. Below is our head-to-head comparison table for oil and electric heating to help home and business owners figure out what option is the best for their use case:
| Comparison | Heating Oil | Electric Heating | Advantage? |
| Heat Output | High | Moderate | Heating Oil |
| Maintenance Cost | Moderate | Low | Electric |
| System Complexity | Moderate | Low | Electric |
| Installation Cost | Moderate | Low | Electric |
| Reliability | Exceptional | High | Heating Oil |
| Cold Season Performance | Exceptional | Moderate | Heating Oil |
As you can see, oil heating vs electric isn’t as simple as one being better than the other. The best heating method for your home or business depends on what you value most, and the climate that you reside in.
Heating Oil Use Cases
Heating Oil is best for property owners who value long-term reliability, performance in the coldest seasons, and those who live in areas with longer and colder winters. This is because heating oil systems, while a bit more complex to install, don’t rely on finicky electrical equipment to operate and use simple combustion to produce heat.
As a result, burning heating oil provides high heat output that will keep your whole home warm even in the coldest winters. These systems last an exceptionally long time, which is why they are so common in older neighborhoods like New York City.
The tradeoffs of heating start with the fact that it is less precise than electric heat. This means that, in moderate/warm climates or seasons, it can cost more to put out the smaller amounts of heat that are needed.
It is also harder to provide zoned heating for specific rooms in the house that are used more often, making it more expensive for more significant properties that don’t need heat in every room equally.
Electric Heat Use Cases
Electric heat is best for property owners looking for more precise, low-maintenance, environmentally-friendly heat, or those looking to modernize a broken or outdated heating system in an older home. This is because electric heat requires almost no maintenance and is built with computer technology to make it easier to provide zoned heating and adaptive supplemental heat to make it more cost-effective.
This makes electric heat a great option for areas that don’t get very cold, and as a supplemental heating option. It isn’t a great choice for those who experience long cold seasons, as electric heat makes whole-home heating slower and more expensive.
A Third Option: Hybrid Heating Systems
The modularity of electric heat lets property owners add it as a complement to an existing heating oil system (or other combustion heat systems like natural gas). This allows homes or businesses to add electric heat to more commonly used areas like living rooms and bedrooms for cheap, precise heating in “shoulder cold seasons” like fall and spring without giving up the massive advantage that combustion heat holds during the winter.
Choose Skaggs-Walsh for All Heating Options in NYC and Long Island
Skaggs-Walsh provides heater repair services that NY customers can count on 24/7, offering the best equipment for both heating oil and electric heat systems and friendly, on-time service. We respect you, your home, and your time, and we strive to make sure that your problems get solved in a way that gets you the best value for your money.
Contact us today with any questions you have about oil heating vs electric heating, and get connected with the team in your area.
