Fight the MA Clean Heat Standard Today! - LEARN HOW
Posted: January 28, 2025
Selecting the best home heating system is a crucial decision for homeowners in Franklin, MA, and across the South Shore, especially when a harsh New England winter is in full swing. Frank Lamparelli can help you ensure you’re getting the most dependable home heating when outdoor temperatures are in single digits or a nor’easter is about to blanket the area with snow.
When choosing between an oil-fired furnace and an oil-fired boiler, it’s important to understand how each system operates, their pros and cons and why heating oil remains a reliable and efficient heating option. Here’s what you need to know.
An oil-fired boiler heats water with an oil burner to produce either steam or hot water, which is then distributed throughout your home via radiators, baseboard heaters or radiant floor systems. These systems are excellent for evenly dispersing warmth and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout your home. Boilers also tend to operate quietly since there is no forced air involved.
Unlike oil-fired boilers, furnaces use heating oil to heat air in a combustion chamber. The heated air is then circulated through your home via ductwork and vents. Furnaces generally heat spaces faster than boilers. Additionally, oil furnaces are great for homes already equipped with duct systems, as they can reduce upfront heating installation expenses.
Each heating option has its unique advantages and drawbacks. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you compare.
Oil-fired boilers provide steady, even heat that’s slightly humid, which can make your home feel extra-toasty. They operate quietly and won’t circulate airborne pollutants through your home. However, they have a slower heating response time and can have a more complicated, time-consuming installation process. Additionally, a boiler failure can result in water damage to your home.
Oil-fired furnaces heat spaces up quickly. Also, the ductwork a furnace uses is compatible with central air systems. On the other hand, furnaces force air through your home with a blower, which can be louder and also dry out your spaces. Many people add whole-home humidifiers to counteract this dryness. Additionally, this distributed air can carry pollen, mold, dust and other airborne pollutants.
The right choice for your home ultimately depends on your home’s layout and existing equipment. Converting a boiler system to a furnace system (or vice versa) can be expensive and highly disruptive. We often recommend that homeowners invest in more efficient iterations of their equipment rather than changing system types.
Heating oil is a tried-and-true method for New England homeowners. A single gallon of heating oil can generate a whopping 138,500 Btu of heat energy. Today’s heating oil — particularly the cleaner-burning Bioheat® fuel offered by Frank Lamparelli — is more efficient and environmentally friendly than ever. Our Bioheat® fuel contains 20% biofuel, which significantly reduces your home’s carbon emissions while cutting down wear and tear on heating equipment. Using this fuel means that you’re not only keeping your home warm but also reducing your environmental impact.
At Frank Lamparelli, we’ve been serving Franklin and the South Shore for years with reliable heating oil delivery and services designed to meet the needs of local homeowners. We make heating oil delivery hassle-free with FREE automatic delivery services. Our team won’t let you run out of fuel. Our tracking systems monitor your oil usage and schedule deliveries as needed so you can spend less time managing your heating and more time enjoying a cozy home.
Whether you’re running a boiler or a furnace, we also provide expert service to keep your system running efficiently during even the coldest New England winters.
Contact us today to learn more about our heating oil delivery options and schedule a service!