S&D Petroleum Learning Center

Compare Fuels

Comparing fuels can be a daunting task. Fuels are measured and priced differently. The appliances that use them offer varying efficiencies. Other important issues like availability and supply, degree of maintenance required, safety, and/or environmental and air quality issues may also affect which fuel you choose to heat your home with.

Cost of Fuel

When looking at cost, one must first covert the fuel into how much energy is in that fuel. A British Thermal Unit (Btu) is the basis for measuring energy. One Btu is about equal to the energy released in burning one wood match. The average NY home annually requires about 92 million Btus to stay warm through the winter (that's a lot of matches!).

Once you know the number of Btus found in each fuel, you can determine the cost per million Btus. Many would stop there, but it is also important to adjust that energy output by the efficiency of the unit you plan to use it in. But don't worry, you don't have to run all the math yourself. For up to date figures, use this fuel calculator, available through the US government's Energy Information Agency.

Supply

Along with price, reliable supply is an important consideration. After all, high demand usually means cold weather, just when having that fuel is critical. Our years of experience, investment in bulk storage, excellent credit and long-standing relationships with our suppliers means we are always able to deliver the products we sell. We have never held up a delivery because we could not get supply. That cannot be said for all the competition.

Dry, well seasoned hardwood may be difficult to find at the last minute, and green wood is very inefficient and not safe to burn due to increased creosote build-up and risk of chimney fire.

Natural gas delivery is subject to the pipeline system. Our supply of LP gas / propane, however, is supplemented by "cavern gas" which we can draw upon in times of supply disruption, so our customers never have to worry about pipeline problems.

Health, Safety and the Environment

Indoor and outdoor air quality should be a consideration when deciding on which fuel you choose. There are many types of emissions. They include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur oxides (SOx), and they all affect air quality. Fuel Oil, Kerosene, Propane and Natural Gas all burn efficiently and cleanly, with modern units contributing very little to particulate or other emissions. The following air quality and safety facts should also weigh in on your choice:

• Residential wood burning in the U.S. emits 420,000 tons of PM each year, contributing to higher mortality rates and lung disease, including asthma in children (source: EPA).
• While pellet stoves emit 10 times less particulate pollution than older wood stoves, they still release 50 times more particles than an oil furnace. These patterns also hold true for carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions. (Portland Press Herald, 7/23/08, "Burning Question: Oil or wood less dirty").
• While emissions from burning natural gas in an appliance might be low, the magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the natural gas distribution systems is actually quite high. According to the EPA, natural gas distribution systems are responsible for over 25% of methane emissions in this country, making it second only to landfills in the emissions of this potent greenhouse gas.
• Replacing electric heat in homes with oil equipment lowers greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% - or 16 tons of greenhouse gases per year for each house that is converted to oil.
• Oil is safe. Heating oil is non-explosive. Unlike propane or natural gas, if a heating oil leak should occur, it is not an explosive hazard. Wood stoves have a high fire risk associated with them due to chimney fires, and pellet stoves also carry this risk if not properly maintained.
• The risk of exposure to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) is substantially less with oil heat than with natural gas or wood heat. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by one's senses, and prolonged exposure to it can cause injury and even death.

Convenience and ease of use

Your lifestyle and health may deeply affect the value of a convenient fuel. For some it may be an essential to have a convenient fuel. Others don't mind the extra effort required. There is, however, a pretty direct correlation between the cost of the fuel and its ease of use.

• Wood, coal and pellets all require your daily attention in the form of stacking, storing and loading the fuel. Daily ash removal and related cleaning is also required. Depending on your physical abilities, health, or daily schedule, you may find the small savings is not worth the extra effort.
• Electricity requires no maintenance, not even an annual cleaning, but it is the most expensive.
• Fuel Oil, Propane and Natural gas require annual or occasional tune ups. For most homeowners, these fuels offer the right balance between cost and convenience,

But what about the future?

Looking ahead, innovation and technology may change the range of products we offer. With over 70 years of experience, we make it our business to stay informed about all the options out there. The fact is alternative fuels and renewable energy still come at a premium. In the mean time, we are confident petroleum products are still the best way to go today.