Heating fuel: propane or oil?

[NetWareHead]

Have a heating system to re-do and no natural gas in the area. My choices are going to be either fuel oil or propane. Im not that concerned about fuel costs of either choice and volatility of the energy market.. This is for a rental and fuel costs will be borne by the tenant. Tenants around here are accustomed with oil and propane so I dont think either choice will be a show stopper. I plan to only pay for fuel when the house is vacant.

My main concern is the service and maintenance angle. Is one type of system costlier to maintain than the other? What about parts? Is their a disparity in maintaining either type of equipment?

I'm going to be purchasing a typical run of the mill 80+ efficiency appliance. No exotic type of boiler, no 90+ high efficiency condensing boiler etc... No radiant floor etc... just conventional finned baseboard or forced air. Something appropriate for a rental where I'm going to have the opportunity to start from scratch and install something that makes sense for my needs. Thanks...

 

[boomerang]

I have no firsthand knowledge but the first thing that popped into my brain is the condensation issue with oil tanks. Who needs a call at 2 AM when the oil stops flowing because of water or for that matter sediment that is inhibiting the flow of oil?

But, maybe there have been innovations that I am not aware of and the above paragraph is worthless drivel.

 

[dphantom]

propane. cleaner, easier to deal with. can also use propane for stove and dryer and hot water heater. only have to worry about venting water vapor and carbon monoxide. easier maintenance as well.

 

[NetWareHead]

I have no firsthand knowledge but the first thing that popped into my brain is the condensation issue with oil tanks. Who needs a call at 2 AM when the oil stops flowing because of water or for that matter sediment that is inhibiting the flow of oil?

But, maybe there have been innovations that I am not aware of and the above paragraph is worthless drivel.

A tank filter typically takes care of making sure any sludge/sediment doesnt make it into the tank. Typically changed with every yearly service.

If any water/condensation makes into the tank, it sinks to the bottom. Oil will float on top of the sludge and water. The supply pickup is typically a few inches from the bottom ensuring the systems is always drawing from good oil. The tan can be installed pitched away from the pickup so the sludge settles farther away from the pickup.

None of these are perfect solutions but they seem to work for most.

 

[tynopik]

ground source heatpump?

 

[snoopy7548]

If it's between those two, definitely propane. Like dphantom said, cleaner, easier to deal with, and you can use it for water heater, stove/oven, and dryer. Cooking with gas is certainly a plus for any property. No more maintenance than any normal gas heating system; annual tune-up on furnace and water heater flushing and you're all set.

How big of a tank are you thinking of getting?

 

[Meghan54]

One question....where's this property? Only ask because if it was, for instance, on Cape Cod, oil would be your answer, simply because propane is just too darned expensive. Out of all the choices, propane is about the highest end cost up there....maybe something to take into consideration. I know properties with propane heat didn't rent as quickly as those with elec., oil or nat. gas heat.

But it's location dependent, I'd guess.

 

[Micrornd]

Propane and look for a company that meters it.
Here the propane utilities can provide it by the tank (you pay for how much they put in the tank each time) or they can provide a metered service (the tank has a regular gas meter and you pay only for what you use each month and they fill the tank and read the meter monthly(there is a minimum usage))

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Assuming you are OK with the tank, go Propane. Cleaner, less furnace maintenance and even if it leaks there is no clean up to do.