High Efficiency Oil Furnace Installation & Replacement in The Finger Lakes

Basic oil furnace anatomy. Heat from the combustion process passes through a heat exchanger that heats air for distribution to the living space.

Furnaces that run on oil are especially common in the homes of the Finger Lakes - and older homes are even more likely to utilize oil heating systems. These furnaces, often referred to as "oil burners," are widely available, easy to service, and fairly dependable.

The trouble with oil heat is that the price of oil is very volatile. Forces beyond our control (like global demand for petroleum and political instability in oil-producing countries) continue to drive oil prices higher and higher. That's why it's important for an oil furnace to work as efficiently as possible.

An oil furnace that's over 10 years old may still function adequately but typically only converts about 65% of the fuel's energy into usable heat. This means a significant portion of your fuel-and money-is wasted. In contrast, new oil furnaces with much higher efficiency ratings are available. These models help conserve more oil during the winter months, ultimately saving you money on heating costs.

Energy Efficient Oil Furnace Installation

Halco can evaluate your current home heating system and provide a free quote on a super-efficient system that will save you money. Call us today for a Free Estimate for an oil furnace upgrade or replacement in Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse, Webster, Lansing, Fairport, Auburn, Cortland, Canandaigua, Pittsford, and more areas!

Understanding Furnace Efficiency Ratings

When considering a new furnace, boiler, or water heater, it's crucial to understand not just how fuel is burned to generate heat, but also how that heat is utilized over time. While high-efficiency models with ratings above 85% might seem appealing due to their minimal heat loss, they often come with significant drawbacks that aren't immediately apparent.

These ultra-high efficiency systems use a process called "condensing" - which is a way for the boiler to capture heat that would otherwise be lost through the flue system, which can lead to increased maintenance needs, potential reliability issues, and potentially shortened lifespans. The initial energy savings can be offset by higher repair costs and more frequent replacements, making them less cost-effective in the long run.

At Halco, we take a comprehensive, long-term approach to installing new oil furnaces. When we recommend a 84% non-condensing furnace over a 96% condensing furnace, it's because we genuinely believe it will be a better, more reliable, and more affordable heating system for your home.

Let us evaluate your current system and provide a free quote on an energy saving home heating solution that meets your specific needs. Call or email today for a free quote.

Conventional "atmospheric" oil furnaces are reliable but inefficient

A standard oil furnace directs heat from combustion through a heat exchanger. A large fan blows air past the heat exchanger and into the supply ducts to be distributed throughout the living space. Return ducts bring cooled air back to the furnace for reheating.

In a conventional "atmospheric" oil furnace, the air supply that makes combustion possible comes from the space surrounding the furnace. Once combustion takes place, hot gasses and other combustion byproducts travel through a metal flue to a chimney.

Atmospheric combustion has been used on oil furnaces for many years. But it isn't as efficient as sealed combustion, and it can even be unsafe in a tightly sealed house.

High-efficiency oil furnaces protect homeowners from high oil prices

The risk of keeping an old oil furnace in service is easy to understand. Global demand for petroleum continues to increase. So does political instability in many oil-producing countries. These conditions drive up the price of oil and can make it very expensive to operate a fuel-thirsty furnace. Installing a new, high-efficiency oil furnace is a smart investment these days.

High-efficiency oil furnaces will use less fuel than an older, less-efficient oil furnace. These furnaces have improved burners, combustion chambers, and heat exchangers, and can sometimes be vented through an exterior wall instead of through a chimney. "Sealed-combustion" oil furnaces feature exterior combustion air supply as well as direct-vent capability.

It's important to understand that just because an oil furnace is new, doesn't mean it's high efficiency. Halco can ensure you get the highest efficiency furnace available. Since the cost of the oil is far greater during the life of the furnace than the cost of the furnace, it's well-worth it to spend a bit more on a furnace that will use the least oil possible, and send the least heat up your chimney. It's an investment that will pay for itself many times over.

Related Pages:

• Gas Furnace Installation
• Electric Furnace Installation
• Oil Furnace Installation