What is cheaper to heat a house, gas or oil?

Nationally, natural gas typically has a lower price per million Btu than heating oil, according to the EIAhttps://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/. Your actual cost depends on equipment efficiency, local utility rates, your home's insulation and how much you use. Check your state's figures in the EIA price table and compare with your own bills.

Can I go from oil heat to natural gas?

Usually yes, if gas service is available at your street. The job typically involves a new furnace or boiler, ductwork changes and possibly a new gas service line, as the DOE guidancehttps://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/buildingamerica/highefficiencygasfurnaces.pdf describes. Get written quotes and a professional load calculation first.

How many years of natural gas is left?

There is no single number, because reserves change with prices and technology. The EIA put U.S. proved reserves at 583.9 trillion cubic feethttps://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/natural-gas/how-much-gas-is-left.php at the end of 2024. Supply is not a practical concern for this winter's heating decision.

Is heating oil more expensive this winter?

The EIA forecasts that oil-heated homes will spend about 21% more than last winterhttps://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press593.php, mainly because of tight distillate markets. Milder weather in the Northeast could soften that. Comparing local suppliers is one way to manage the increase. - EIA press release: 2026-27 winter fuel costs outlookhttps://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press593.php - EIA Short-Term Energy Outlookhttps://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/ - EIA residential energy price estima

Heating Oil vs. Natural Gas: Cost, Efficiency and Switching

Natural gas usually costs less per million Btu than heating oil at the national level, but the cheaper fuel is not always the cheaper choice for your house. Equipment, conversion work, local utility rates, delivery arrangements and how well your home holds heat all change the answer. This guide compares the two fuels on the factors that decide a household's real cost, and explains what to check…

Key takeawaysTable of ContentsHow the two fuels differ at a glanceWhich costs less to heat a house?A worked way to compare your own numbersConverting from oil to natural gasBack to Heating Oil Insights

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