Heat: Fuel Oil vs Propane vs Electric

[Grateful11]

Yep, I mentioned this option and feel it is the Cadillac option for comfort and energy efficiency but would possibly fire the backup with propane. The generator could also be fired with propane as well as the cooktop, grill, and fireplace.

We started out with a Fossil Fuel circuit board and outside sensor and it was nothing but trouble. Neighbor struck out on his own doing HVAC after years with a large local company and he has the same setup we have, heat pump and oil, he was the one that recommended the Honeywell that I think will control up to 3 heat sources with the outside sensor. I let him install the setup, charged $300 parts and labor Our last 2 winters have been so mild we haven't bought fuel oil in 2 years and it's ran a fair amount. This Winter has been much colder than the last 2 so which reminds me I need to check the tank this week. We're very pleased with our setup.

 

[mrpoppy58]

We have an Adams condensing Fuel Oil Furnace. It is 96 Percent Efficent. It has a 3 inch PCV Pipe for a Flue. It sips Fuel. We like It. We also have a HP the Fuel Oil comes on at 32 Degrees. The HP sure is nice in the Summer.

 

[Coyote machine]

We've been in same house since '86. Used to have oil boiler with hot water coil in boiler. We went to adding a zone for just hot water and storage (40 gallon) tank. When adding on in 2009, 30x30' dining room/kitchen plus 12 x 15' mudroom, we ripped out oil system and replaced with Buderus propane fired condensing boiler and solar panel hot water, primary source, with Buderus coil in coil tank. 1000 gallon buried propane tank, 20KW Briggs and Stratton generator, radiant above subfloor single loop for first floor, (removed ALL baseboard), and a B&S load shed center electric panel to disconnect major electric draws like double oven, hot tub, or dryer. All else is propane - grill, range,(6 burners). System also supplies dom hot H2O to barn, propane backup for electrical outages, etc. 350+ electric breakers for house/barn/shed, etc. Separate radiant coil to atrium roof to melt snow/ice on temp and moisture sensor. Addition(s) and barn, new in '09-'10 have foamed walls, radiant in slab concrete floor in barn, and Hi-R foil covered 2" insulating ridgid foam.
We have 2 gas fired inserts for living room and dining room. Lots of storm outages- electric out all the time. Generator takes care of everything. Survived Irene, Sandy, ice storms, whatever happens we don't go down.
Would like to incorporate more solar- for electric generation to be sold back to the grid, as is allowed here in VT.
All fuel costs are high here, including electric.
Each location has specific variables as stated by others, but one has to decide what will give best bang for each $ spent. An energy audit is where I would start with a new or older house to see what would work best based on what is available.
Good luck.

 

[DABSGT]

My brother has a home heating oil company. Last week he told me he was thinking of adding propane service due to price almost $2.00 a gal. Cheaper. Several of his customers are thinking of changing over. I filled my oil tank last week. Just over 200 gal. $850.00 hope it lasts until May,

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[jejeosborne]

Perhaps your politic comments belong over on the Front porch.

Well his comment was relevant to this discussion because it is true. Obama himself said something to the effect of bankrupting a utility who chooses to build a coal fired generator. His agenda is making electricity prices increase at an alarming rate and should be considered when choosing a HVAC system.

 

[aczlan]

My brother has a home heating oil company. Last week he told me he was thinking of adding propane service due to price almost $2.00 a gal. Cheaper. Several of his customers are thinking of changing over. I filled my oil tank last week. Just over 200 gal. $850.00 hope it lasts until May,

What is it going for per gallon? Last, I heard, was $2.50/gallon but that was over a year ago.

Thanks

Aaron Z

 

[Travelover]

Well his comment was relevant to this discussion because it is true. Obama himself said something to the effect of bankrupting a utility who chooses to build a coal fired generator. His agenda is making electricity prices increase at an alarming rate and should be considered when choosing a HVAC system.

Take it to the Front Porch. This is just a political harangue.

 

[DABSGT]

What is it going for per gallon? Last, I heard, was $2.50/gallon but that was over a year ago.

Thanks

Aaron Z

Last I looked $3.82 a ga. For the tractor last I filled can 4.19 a gal. Connecticut has some of the highest taxes. Go figure tankers come into hew haven harbor, doesn't need to be trucked far and we have some of the highest prices.

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[Carl_NH]

Hi DABSGT,

We prebuy oil - this year was $3.38 gal, and propane was $2.79. But Propane is 90K BTU to oil 135K BTU. Oil is 50% more energy and 20% higher cost.

I filled up diesel yesterday @ $4.19 gal - 5 Gal lasts a long time in the Kubota thank goodness.

 

[Grateful11]

Yep, I mentioned this option and feel it is the Cadillac option for comfort and energy efficiency but would possibly fire the backup with propane. The generator could also be fired with propane as well as the cooktop, grill, and fireplace.

We started out with a Fossil Fuel circuit board and outside sensor and it was nothing but trouble. Neighbor struck out on his own doing HVAC after years with a large local company and he has the same setup we have, heat pump and oil, he was the one that recommended the Honeywell that I think will control up to 3 heat sources with the outside sensor. I let him install the setup, charged $300 parts and labor Our last 2 winters have been so mild we haven't bought fuel oil in 2 years and it's ran a fair amount. This Winter has been much colder than the last 2 so which reminds me I need to check the tank this week. We're very pleased with our setup.