It seems logical. Your old 50% efficient boiler has reached the end of the line and you replace it with a new oil boiler that has an 85% efficiency rating. With such a big boost in energy efficiency, all you have to do now is sit back and count all the money you will save on heat for years to come, right?
This is true—under one important condition: Your new boiler needs to be sized and installed correctly.
Sizing it up
A new heating system is not like a refrigerator. Your heating oil company cannot just bring it to your house, plug it in and then leave. A heating system is not that easy. First, your heating oil company has to figure out what size system works best for your home and family.
Sizing refers to how much BTU power the system has. If a contractor installs something too powerful (oversized), it will give you more heat than you need, wasting energy and money. But if the system doesn’t have enough power, (undersized) your home will not feel comfortable; you will also spend more on fuel because the boiler will keep turning on.
To determine how much power your home’s heating system needs, an experienced heating oil service provider will do tests to figure out how much heat your home loses in the winter.
Installing it right
Once a proper-sized system is selected, your heating oil company will install it the right way. This requires skilled technicians with specialized training.
Bottom line: Installing a new oil heating system will increase energy efficiency and save you money, as long as the boiler or furnace is sized and installed correctly.
If you’re ready to explore new oil heating options for your home, your local Oilheat company will be happy to help.
Read more about a heating system upgrade.