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November 24, 2025
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Natural gas powers 493,934 Long Island homes—about 50.55% of all residences. The appeal is clear: gas flows directly through underground pipelines, eliminating fuel deliveries and storage concerns. You simply adjust your thermostat and pay monthly utility bills.
Natural gas prices tend to be more stable and often cheaper than heating oil, making budget planning easier. Modern gas systems achieve high efficiency ratings, and you’ll find plenty of qualified technicians for maintenance and repairs.
The hands-off convenience attracts busy homeowners who want reliable heat without managing fuel deliveries or tank maintenance.
Recent data shows natural gas averaging around $18.50 per thousand cubic feet on Long Island, potentially saving homeowners around $2,300 annually compared to oil for homes using 800 gallons yearly. These savings add up significantly over time, especially for larger homes with higher heating demands.
Natural gas burns cleaner than heating oil, producing fewer emissions and contributing less to environmental impact. This cleaner combustion also means less system maintenance and longer equipment life in many cases.
Installation is straightforward where gas lines exist. You’ll benefit from a competitive service market, with numerous contractors qualified to install, maintain, and repair gas heating systems. Many homeowners appreciate having gas for cooking, hot water, and heating from one utility connection.
The convenience factor is substantial—you never worry about running out of fuel since natural gas comes directly to your home through established pipelines. No delivery scheduling, no storage tank monitoring, and no emergency fuel calls during blizzards.
Gas availability remains the biggest limitation across Long Island. While service has expanded, many Nassau and Suffolk County areas still lack pipeline access, particularly in eastern Suffolk and some established Nassau neighborhoods. Even where lines exist, connection fees range from $1,200 to over $5,000.
Converting from oil to gas involves substantial upfront investment: $12,500 to $20,000+ for forced-air systems, $13,000 to $30,000+ for hot water systems, and $15,000 to $25,000+ for steam systems. These costs include new equipment, venting modifications, and professional installation.
Natural gas provides less heat output than oil, potentially requiring longer heating cycles to reach desired temperatures. Gas systems can struggle during extremely cold weather when oil systems continue performing reliably.
Pipeline dependence means entire neighborhoods can lose heat during utility outages or equipment failures. Unlike oil customers who store fuel on-property, gas customers have no backup when supply interruptions occur. This dependence concerns homeowners who value energy independence and reliability during severe weather events.
Heating oil serves 372,140 Long Island homes, with households purchasing approximately 665 million gallons annually. These numbers reflect oil’s continued popularity among homeowners who prioritize heating performance, fuel independence, and supplier choice flexibility.
Heating oil burns hotter than natural gas, delivering superior heat output that’s ideal for Long Island’s cold climate. You control every aspect of your fuel supply—when to buy, how much to purchase, and which company serves you.
The heating oil market is highly competitive, with prices varying daily among suppliers, allowing you to find the lowest current prices through comparison shopping.
Oil delivers very high energy potential, heating your home quickly once the furnace starts—a major advantage during Long Island’s cold winters. With average January lows of 24°F and February lows of 25°F, plus frequent cold winds, Long Island homes need heating systems that respond fast and maintain consistent warmth.
COD (cash on delivery) heating oil can save you $0.50 to $0.90 per gallon compared to full-service automatic delivery contracts. For a typical 200-gallon delivery, that’s $100 to $180 in immediate savings. COD oil offers the cheapest and most flexible option, letting you choose from many suppliers and purchase exactly the amount you want when convenient.
Heating oil can be purchased anytime from any supplier, unlike natural gas where you’re bound to a single utility provider in a monopoly situation. This competition drives better customer service and more flexible pricing options.
You maintain complete control over your fuel supply since it’s stored on your property, with far less opportunity for service disruption compared to utility-dependent systems. During power outages or severe weather, your fuel remains available while pipeline-dependent homes may lose service.
Current Long Island heating oil prices average around $4.08 per gallon according to NYSERDA data, but prices can fluctuate significantly, with recent highs reaching $4.94 per gallon during peak demand periods. Smart timing helps manage these fluctuations—summer months (May through September) typically offer the lowest prices when demand decreases.
Storage tanks require space and periodic maintenance, but modern tanks are highly reliable when properly maintained. Unlike natural gas, heating oil doesn’t vaporize at room temperature and poses no suffocation hazard if leaks occur, with almost no fire risk when tanks are properly located.
Will-call delivery requires monitoring your tank levels and planning orders, especially before cold weather. However, this attention pays off through significant cost savings and supplier choice flexibility. Will-call customers save hundreds of dollars per year compared to automatic delivery contracts.
Running out of oil can result in emergency delivery fees and furnace restart costs, including bleeding fees and filter replacement charges. Preventing this requires basic tank monitoring—checking your gauge monthly and ordering when levels reach 25-30%.
Modern heating oil burns much cleaner than older formulations. Today’s oil produces almost zero emissions, with latest technologies creating even cleaner burning and lower sulfur content. Bioheat blends containing up to 20% renewable biofuels provide even cleaner options while improving system lubrication.
Your heating decision ultimately depends on availability, budget priorities, and personal preferences. Natural gas offers convenience and generally predictable costs where pipelines exist, while heating oil delivers superior heat output, competitive pricing options, and complete supply independence.
Consider your long-term plans, local gas availability, and comfort level with managing fuel versus utility relationships. Both fuels effectively heat Long Island homes—the right choice matches your specific situation and values.
For homeowners exploring reliable heating oil service, we at OK Petroleum Distribution have provided Nassau and Suffolk County families with dependable delivery, competitive pricing, and flexible service options for over 40 years, including both automatic delivery convenience and will-call savings opportunities.
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