Oil change in New England?

This year, home heating oil prices have gone through the roof.

Many in Mass. are considering converting to gas heat. The upfront cost of this heating alternative and the rising oil prices are factors in making the switch, leaving New England residents weighing the pros and cons of an "oil change."

The cost of converting oil heat to gas can costs on average $10,000. This includes a new furnace and complete installation. This is a huge upfront expense. However, if oil prices continue to rise, this cost may actually save money over time.

The Energy Information Administration, a statistical arm of the Federal Department of Energy reports that heating oil will average $4.34 a gallon this year, up from $3.31 last year. Gas will be $15.58 per thousand cubic feet, up from $12.72 last year.

Philip Giudice, commissioner of the state's dept of Energy Resources doesn't think one is better than the other. But this year Giudice says gas is the "better economical choice."

Read more here.