After spending two winters without buying heating oil, a New Hampshire homeowner started asking a question that more people may soon face as electric appliances continue to improve: Is it still worth keeping an old fossil-fuel backup system?
The debate that followed touched on resale value, insurance, emergency planning during outages, and one of the biggest concerns for homeowners everywhere: lowering monthly energy bills.
Here's what to know
The conversation started with a post on Reddit's r/heatpumps forum from a New Hampshire homeowner who said the house had already been converted to electric equipment, including mini-splits, a semi-ducted system, and a heat pump water heater.
The original poster wrote: "We survived two winters without needing to refill our oil tank so now I'm thinking we can get rid of the eye sore / toe gasher baseboard radiators and the oil tank they're hooked up to. If we do this though, are we throwing away value in our house if / when we sell in the future? Is it generally just a good idea to have a back up heat source?"
People in the comments described making comparable changes. A Massachusetts homeowner said they had removed radiators, disconnected a boiler, and relied on cold-climate mini-splits, adding: "I was getting charged $14 a month to have a gas account so I cancelled it."
Several replies suggested that removing an old oil tank might help when it comes time to sell, especially if buyers view it as unattractive, outdated, or another maintenance issue to deal with.
Upgrading your heating and cooling system is one of the best ways to save money on your utility bills and protect yourself against rising energy prices. For homeowners trying to sort through those choices, Palmetto can help explain efficient HVAC and heat pump options. Palmetto's Comfort Plan network can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with vetted installers.
More background
The savings can be meaningful: fewer fuel deliveries, fewer monthly utility account fees, and less exposure to unpredictable fossil-fuel prices.
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Not everyone thought the old system should automatically go, though.
Some commenters noted that backup heat can still matter in northern states, particularly during outages, and some said they removed the boiler and oil tank while keeping the baseboards. Others recommended having an emergency option such as a pellet stove, wood stove, or portable propane heater.
Insurance was another issue people raised about keeping unused oil equipment around. "Smartest thing is remove the oil tank and ask your insurer for a discount," one Reddit user commented.
The original poster replied: "Didn't realize you could get a discount! I'll check that out."
What can be done?
A few homeowners in the thread said they spent several winters testing heat pumps first and only removed older oil equipment after they felt sure the newer system could handle the job.
Palmetto is one option for people exploring that next step. If you're not ready to spend upfront, the Comfort Plan includes $0-down options that can lower your heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. It also includes 12 years of free maintenance.
Homeowners can also pair solar panels with electric appliances, such as efficient HVACs, to lower utility costs even further. EnergySage makes it easy to find the best solar system and installer for your home and budget, saving you up to $10,000 on installations.
Overall, the thread leaned toward removal. One commenter said: "If anything, you gain more value to your home by getting rid of the tank."
Another homeowner who had already made the transition put it even more simply: "I don't miss them at all."
Where can I learn more?
These articles look at community solar savings, solar installation costs, and rooftop solar incentives.
• In Maine, Ampion's community solar program cuts household electricity costs without rooftop panels.
• EnergySage broke down the factors shaping solar costs for homeowners weighing installation.
• Energy experts warned rooftop solar tax credits could shrink under a utility-backed policy proposal.
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