This is one of the most frequently asked questions. It is also one of the most difficult to answer because the costs vary based on the size of the house, type of electric heat installed and the construction of the house. Generally speaking, conversions involving heat pumps, electric furnaces and electric boilers are the least expensive, costing $4,000 to $10,000. Baseboards and other types of electric heat will cost more, usually in the range of $8,000 to $15,000.

Conversions to oilheat are investments which can lower your energy bills, enhance the value of your home and result in more comfort and better utilization of your living space -- overall, one of your best investment alternatives.

Many homeowners who finance their conversion find that their reduced energy costs substantially cover their loan payments. After the balance is paid, the savings are theirs to keep.

It can be well worth your time to call your local heating oil dealer or HVAC contractor to ask for an estimate -- and for a list of satisfied customers. Before you make your decision, talk to others who have made the switch and ask them about their level of satisfaction with their new heating system.

For more details, visit What's Involved?

2.  What will happen to my house if I convert my heating system to oil?

This varies greatly based on the type of heat that you have. However, in all cases, it is helpful to think about five areas:

1. Generating heat
2. Circulating the heat through the house
3. Storing fuel
4. Venting
5. Hot water

For more details about equipment requirements, see What's Involved?

Here are some rules of thumb:

If you have electric baseboards or other resistance heating, contractors will generally install new hydronic (hot water based) systems. This involves installing a boiler, new baseboard radiators and water lines connecting them. If you are interested in a forced-air system, a furnace and duct work can be installed. A forced-air system can also allow for the addition of air conditioning.

If you have a heat pump, your heat pump can be supplemented by a boiler and device like a car radiator which is inserted into your duct work. This system can save you money; and contractors who install it report that the temperature of the air leaving your ducts can increase from 90^o-100^o up to 120^o-130^o, giving you a sense of warm air moving in the room.

In all systems, don't forget to convert your hot water to oilheat. This can amount to substantial savings.

For more information about equipment options, visit our Oilheat Showroom.

3.  Why is the "heat" from my heat pump so cold?

In most cases, your heat pump uses two methods to heat your house. One of these methods "captures" outdoor heat and brings it indoors. This method is relatively efficient. However, it only works well during moderately cool months, when there is sufficient warmth outside. During the cold winter months, the "back up" system kicks in. This system operates much like your toaster or an inexpensive bathroom heater. Electricity passes through resistance wires and generates heat. These coils are often under-sized and are very expensive to operate. Therefore, you get very poor heating at a very high price.

4.  If heat pumps are so expensive to run and provide so little comfort, why do builders use them?

Heat pumps offer builders the least expensive way to install both heating and air-conditioning. Because of advertising by the electric utilities, heat pumps generally enjoy a good reputation among home buyers, who are often unaware of the expensive and ineffective heating that they provide.

5.  Will I lose my air conditioning if I convert to oil?

Converting to oilheat will virtually never affect your air conditioning. This is even true with electric heat pumps. Your heat pump can remain in place, providing air conditioning in the summer and may even be used to provide heat during moderately cool months -- when heat pumps work best. Your new oilheat system can take over during the cold months to provide more comfort and save you money.

If you have electric baseboards or another type of resistance heat, your air conditioning is almost always handled by a separate system, meaning that it will not be affected by a conversion to oilheat.

Electric boilers or electric furnaces can be replaced with similar oil-fired units with no disruption of your air-conditioning system.

Be sure to clarify this with your HVAC contractor before converting.

6.  Are other people converting, and what has their experience been?

During the past five years, over 130,000 people have converted from electric heat to oilheat. For more information, visit Who's Converting?

Also, when you talk to your oil dealer or HVAC contractor, ask for other customers who have switched to oil. Contractors who specialize in electric-to-oil conversions can refer you to a large number of highly satisfied customers.

7.  Why haven't I heard more about electric-to-oil conversions?

The electric and natural gas industries are dominated by large companies with substantial marketing departments and well-developed industry associations. Because they do not face direct competition in their localities, they can focus their advertising budgets on promoting their fuel, related equipment and company image.

The heating oil industry is comprised of a larger number of small, often family-owned companies. Local competition between these companies helps keep prices down and insures a high level of customer service, but most heating oil dealers must spend their advertising budgets promoting their own prices and services, rather than on general subjects such as "image ads" and the benefits of oil versus electricity.

Beckett's "Move Up To Oil" program is an attempt to help the oil dealers demonstrate the benefits of oilheat to prospective customers.

8.  Is oil safe?

Today's building codes are very demanding when it comes to safety against a wide variety of hazards. Modern oilheat equipment, like all of today's properly certified heating systems, meets or exceeds all of these standards. Ask your local HVAC contractor about the certificates, approvals and registrations required by UL and your local government.

9.  My grandmother used heating oil and it was smoky and smelly. What's changed?

Like the televisions we watch, cars we drive and clothes we wear, oil-fired equipment has changed a great deal in the past 30 years. New-generation oilheat equipment is much more efficient, clean and passes all existing environmental regulations.