Posted: February 16, 2026
Your energy choices matter. If you’re planning an equipment upgrade, building a new home, or replacing an aging system, it makes sense to look at every option. In our region, that might include propane or natural gas (if it’s even available in your area). But heating oil continues to stand out for performance, reliability, and real-world value—especially through our frigid Vermont winters. Here are five key benefits:
The idea that heating oil is “dirty” is outdated. Today’s ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) contains 99% less sulfur than older fuels. That means it burns dramatically cleaner, reducing emissions and helping your heating system stay cleaner inside as well. Cleaner fuel also means fewer deposits in your equipment, which supports better performance and fewer service issues over time.
Heating oil delivers more heat per gallon than any other common home heating fuel. Its high Btu output means your home warms up quickly and stays comfortable, no matter how cold it gets. What’s more, the newest oil-fired heating systems are highly efficient, often achieving efficiency ratings over 90%, which means they waste very little energy during the heating process. And, because it’s so clean-burning, ultra-low sulfur heating oil improves the efficiency of your heating system—saving you money. It also helps your system last longer and reduces breakdowns.
Vermont winters aren’t mild—and during extreme cold like we saw in January and early February is where heating oil really proves its value. Oil heat systems produce very hot air or water, making them especially effective when temperatures plunge into the single and negative digits. Electric heat, by contrast, becomes significantly more expensive during prolonged cold spells. Electric baseboard heating systems use large amounts of power, and even heat pumps can lose efficiency as outdoor temperatures drop, causing backup electric elements to kick in. The result can be steep winter utility bills just when you need heat the most.
Propane can be great for supplemental heat, but it produces fewer BTUs per gallon than heating oil—you need to burn more of it to achieve the same amount of heat. And propane-burning equipment often costs more to purchase than heating oil-based systems.
The cost of any fuel will be driven by price fluctuations based on a range of factors, from geopolitics to the weather. Gallon for gallon, natural gas and propane may cost less than heating oil, but heating oil’s efficiency means you can use less fuel to get, and stay, comfortable. Even under extremely cold temperatures, when you’ll need to use more of any fuel to get more warmth, heating oil will get you there faster.
But there are ways you can save on heating oil costs that you don’t get from a natural gas utility. We offer budget plans and pre-buy options that let you capture a lower price per gallon. You can also choose to fill your tank during the off-season, when prices are typically lower. That flexibility gives you more ways to manage your household energy budget.
Oil-fired heating systems are known for durability. Furnaces can last around 25–30 years, and boilers often have similar lifespans when properly maintained. That longevity can mean fewer replacements over the life of your home. Switching fuels requires new equipment plus the cost of connecting to a gas line—sometimes involving excavation and additional installation expenses.
Heating with oil means partnering with a company you can rely on. Roberts Energy offers dependable delivery, transparent pricing, and services like automatic delivery and budget-friendly payment plans for homeowners and businesses throughout Vermont, to help make staying warm simple and stress-free.
Contact us today to learn how we can help keep your home comfortable all winter long.
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