How Efficient Is Oil Hot Water Baseboard Heat?
On One Hand: Baseboard Heat Can Be EfficientOil-fired hot water baseboard heat compares favorably with other types of heating for cost efficiency. In a heating fuel comparison calculator created in March 2010 by the U.S. Department of Energy, customers who used fuel oil paid less for their energy than those who used electric furnaces or boilers but more than those who heated with natural gas.On the Other: Boiler Age Primary Factor in EfficiencyOlder boilers are sometimes very inefficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the efficiency of older boilers ranges from 56 to 70 percent; however, new boilers, according to the DOE, can achieve efficiency ratings of 97 percent. While the most energy-efficient boilers are expensive, they may be worth it in cold climates.Bottom LineHow efficient an oil hot water baseboard heating system is depends mostly on the age of the boiler. If you have an old boiler, the DOE says upgrading to a new model can cut your fuel costs in half.Sou
