And yet, though gas is obtained by the controversial extraction method known as “fracking,” which brings with it its own complications, gas—as a cleaner fuel—is better for the environment
When deciding on a new heating system, many people find themselves struggling to choose between a natural gas and oil furnace. Both have important advantages and disadvantages, but—as we shall see—one major advantage of natural gas has been convincing more and more people to go in that direction. Nevertheless, oil can claim many important advantages over natural gas. Oil burns hotter (producing more heat), it’s safer to store, it costs less initially (i.e. oil furnaces are cheaper), and it produces no potentially fatal fumes. On the other hand, oil is more expensive than natural gas, so the long-term costs of using oil are higher. In addition, oil has to be stored on site and refilled regularly, which can be extremely inconvenient for customers. Oil is also ‘high maintenance’ in the sense that oil furnaces have to be cleaned regularly to remove soot and other potential contaminants, and oil itself requires additives to prevent it from freezing. Gas, by contrast, is a clean fuel that produces no soot or other potentially dangerous byproducts. It’s also cheaper than oil and requires little or no maintenance. Storage isn’t necessary, as gas is piped into homes as needed by a supplier. That said, gas leaks can be dangerous and potentially fatal if they go unnoticed. Gas furnaces are expensive, and gas produces less heat overall than oil, meaning—in essence—that customers get less heat for their money. And yet, though gas is obtained by the controversial extraction method known as “fracking,” which brings with it its own complications, gas—as a cleaner fuel—is better for the environment. Both are fossil fuels and contribute to man-made climate change, by oil’s effect is far more pernicious than gas. For this reason, a natural gas system is a better bet—at least at the present time.