Is Heating Oil Safe?

If you are new to using heating oil, or if you are currently living in a home that uses oil heat, you may be wondering whether it is safe.

Over the last few decades, home heating oil has drastically evolved to be cleaner and more efficient than ever before. It is now considered to be as clean and as efficient as any other fuel source. Because there is little risk of explosion, many home energy consultants consider it one of the safest ways to keep your home warm.

Heating Oil Is Not Explosive

It may sound counter intuitive, but heating oil is not explosive.

If you dropped a match into the oil that heats your home, it would go out, as if dropped into water. That is because home heating oil can only be ignited by an advanced burning system in your oil-burner or furnace. It must be heated to above 140 degrees in order for it to begin to vaporize. Gas, on the other hand, is highly explosive.

Inhalation of Fumes Is Not Deadly

While the smell of heating oil is not necessarily pleasant, it is certainly not fatal. If you smell fumes, there is typically a reason, and that reason can be resolved. Gas, on the other hand, is known as the “silent killer” for being among the leading causes of death in the United States. It is highly toxic.

System Malfunctions Will Produce Clear Warning Signs

One of the most practical aspects to oil heat use is the fact that clear warning signs will emerge if there is a problem or malfunction happening within your heating system.

Unlike gas, which does not give you any warning of release in your home, heating oil systems will typically produce smoke, soot, or odors, letting you know that something needs to be checked out.

While heating oil is absolutely a safe way to heat your home, it is important to ensure you are keeping up with proper preventative maintenance on your heating system.

Don’t wait for a problem before calling in an experienced service technician. An annual maintenance visit is a great way to keep your system running smoothly and safely.

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