Oil heat, propane, and natural gas are all common choices for furnaces and boilers. But how do you know which one is right for your home? Here is a quick rundown of the main differences between these three types of fuel and air source heat pumps.

Oil: Oil furnaces and boilers are typically less expensive to install than their natural gas or propane counterparts. This is because oil furnaces do not require gas piping infrastructure. However, oil is a less efficient fuel than either natural gas or propane, so your oil furnace or boiler will have higher operating costs over time. Propane: Propane is a more efficient fuel than oil, so your propane furnace or boiler will have lower operating costs than an oil furnace or boiler. However, propane can be more expensive to install than oil or natural gas. Propane requires external storage tanks which are typically rented from your propane supplier. Propane is a great alternative if natural gas is not available.

Natural gas: Natural gas is the most efficient of the three fuels, so your natural gas furnace or boiler will have the lowest operating costs. Natural gas is also typically the most expensive to install because it requires the utility connections at the street. Natural gas is also not available in most New Hampshire towns.

Heat Pumps: Heat pumps are more efficient than oil, propane, and natural gas furnaces for a variety of reasons. First, heat pumps use a refrigerant to transfer heat, rather than burning fuel to create heat. This means that heat pumps can convert more of the energy they use into heat, making them more efficient. Additionally, heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling. This makes them a more versatile option than furnaces, which are only able to provide heat. Finally, newer heat pump models, such as inverter heat pumps, are designed to be even more efficient than traditional heat pumps. As a result, heat pumps offer a more efficient option for home heating and cooling.