Fuel Efficiency: Most Efficient Fuels and Heating Systems

Fuel efficiency and the type and age of your heating system affect the quality of your home comfort. As a general note, natural gas and fuel oil are the most efficient and inexpensive heating sources of fossil fuels, in that order.

For cooking, gas stoves are more efficient and less expensive, but electric stoves win those categories compared to gas. The reason for this is that the electric ignitors in gas stoves stay on after the gas is turned on.

Below is a chart of fuel efficiency showing how much energy is produced by most of the conventional fossil fuels.

Note - the value for wood can vary depending on how “seasoned” or dry it is. Typical moisture content in aged, air-dried wood is 20%. Moisture reduces the energy value, and increases the soot value. A cord of wood is a rough measuring unit; it is a stack of wood 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 4 feet wide.