Heat: Fuel Oil vs Propane vs Electric

[aczlan]

I think your #s are out to lunch. They have 2 stage heat pumps that can do much better. Also you can't cool with oil,, another 2 stage for cooling.

Its because he left it on the default of direct electric heat (ie: resistance heat like in a room heater) vs a heat pump. 100% efficient resistance electric vs 225% efficient for a air heat pump is a big difference.
Using an air-source heat pump and $0.18/kwh I get $23.93 per million Btu for electricity

Aaron Z

 

[Gunny]

There should be some awfully good energy tax breaks if you go geothermal. My brother had that installed when he built his house four years ago and got a large cash rebate from the electric coop, and a one time 35% of purchase cost as a tax deduction, right off the top. All in all, he said that he'll hit the break even point this year, with some pretty substantial savings from now on over the LP he used to heat with. He also told me that since the unit has such good efficiency, he'll save a lot of electric costs for AC versus the older central unit he used to use.

 

[Ken45101]

A heat pump at mild temps can be much better than 100% efficiency (it doesn't actually heat, but rather transfers the heat from outside to inside).

An unvented propane fireplace is 100% efficient. Some years back, we had new home with a propane furnace and with an unvented propane fireplace. First year we heated with the furnace. Second year (which was more mild), we heated just with the fireplace. First year heating costs were over $2000, second year (fireplace) were $600.

You might consider a good wood stove. They are very cost effective even if you have to buy the wood and give off the best heat by far

If you are building a new home, putting in a transfer switch for a generator is a great idea. However, it doesn't sound like you need a $10,000 generator. Just having the switch and a place to plug it in would be great, and then a $1000 or $2000 portable generator will run the essentials for you. Most the time we have a power outage, we don't even bother with the generator. A wood stove or a propane gas heater doesn't need electricity.

 

[sdkubota]

I believe heat pumps are around 200% efficient and I pay slightly over $.04/kw in my area. Electricity is less volatile than most fossil fuels...that is if the tree huggers shut up.

 

[GPintheMitten]

In 1990 I put in a geothermal heat pump / air conditioner. That was in mid-Michigan. The house was a two story, about 2000 sq. ft.

It worked great for us. You have to set the thermostat and leave it alone ... no setbacks.

There were energy credits at the time plus I got a better rate from the electric company for all electric home.

We had a fire place in the living room but burned irregularly.

We had no generator. I don't recall losing power.

 

[jejeosborne]

It appears like these houses are not budget homes if you are considering backup generators. For this reason, I am going to recommend going geothermal for your best option. As mentioned you will be getting free hot water in the summer months plus plenty of warmer air in the winter which you mentioned necessary.

Second option would be air source heat pump. The technology improvements from the one you once owned are dramatic.

In addition, you won't have to worry about fuel storage, purchasing and deliveries.

 

[tcartwri]

In 1990 I put in a geothermal heat pump / air conditioner. That was in mid-Michigan. The house was a two story, about 2000 sq. ft.

It worked great for us. You have to set the thermostat and leave it alone ... no setbacks.

There were energy credits at the time plus I got a better rate from the electric company for all electric home.

We had a fire place in the living room but burned irregularly.

We had no generator. I don't recall losing power.

Are you still on your original compressor? Closed or open loop? That would be astounding.

 

[sailfast]

We pay $3.8/gallon for fuel oil and if we were to switch to propane (through a local co-op) last I heard the price was running ~$2.50/gallon.
With those costs and a 78% efficient oil boiler vs a 90% efficient propane boiler, I am seeing Fuel Oil (#2): $35.84 per million Btu and Propane: $31.03 per million Btu

Aaron Z

You need to find a more efficient oil burner.
78% is from the stone age.

Geo thermal
Air heat pump
Oil
Propane last.
Except if you really wanted to go high end I would offer a propane cooktop option.

 

[don45640]

I'd opt for propane. Electric is too high, and fuel oil takes maintenance,especially since there is a lot of poor grade fuel oil out there.
Of course,a geothermal unit would kick the heating costs in the head,especially if you make part of it yourself. don-ohio ^)

 

[jejeosborne]

I'd opt for propane. Electric is too high, and fuel oil takes maintenance,especially since there is a lot of poor grade fuel oil out there.
Of course,a geothermal unit would kick the heating costs in the head,especially if you make part of it yourself. don-ohio ^)

What do you mean by electric is too high? Heat pumps are electric. Electric resistance heat would be a definite no brainer to skip in ALL cases