Oil vs propane heat

[Industrial Toys]

I wouldn't want anything Propane. I just like the flexability of oil. If push comes to shove, I can buy it anywhere and fill up my tank. I like that. Or, if there was a supply issue, you can call every oil dealer around to see if you can get some. Nobody will fill someone elses propane tank.

 

[jbrumberg]

".... Nobody will fill someone elses propane tank."- IT

^^^^ We are locked in a "loveless" marriage with our propane supplier.

It's too bad for us that the solar panels came "late in the game." I would do a whole lot of things differently now.

 

[LouNY]

Years ago around here the various fuel oil (diesel, kerosene and #2 home oil) would provide above ground tanks "free" also as long as you bought your fuel from them,
they are the same way many vendors would not fill a competitors tank, a few would but if the supplier found out they would come take the tank back.

Thats why all my fuel tanks buried and above ground are "my" tanks.

I had one go around with a propane supplier and "their" tanks and "my" fuel, ended up running them off the place and when the tank was empty I hauled it to the road side and told them to come get the ---- thing.
We don't do business together anymore.

 

[Sigarms]

I wouldn't want anything Propane. I just like the flexability of oil. If push comes to shove, I can buy it anywhere and fill up my tank. I like that. Or, if there was a supply issue, you can call every oil dealer around to see if you can get some. Nobody will fill someone elses propane tank.

It all comes down to where you live.

You live in NC, it's a toss up. You think you can buy oil anwhere in NC, you got another thing coming..

Personally, LP gas heating units are more easily serviced IMO over oil.

Lot of HVAC guys in NC will even tell you that they don't service oil. My fathers oil company in Pa stopped servicing his oil boiler because their service tech retired.

I can tell you this for a fact on oil furnaces... from 2004 through 2007 there was a gradual reduced amount of oil furnaces made and sold in the US. In those 3 years production dropped by close 30% and I don't think they picked back up. The reality is most likely within the next 50 years, oil appliances will be a thing of the past.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Was glad to get rid of my dirty oil burner. I would go propane.

NY has lots of propane under it if the state would just allow it to be extracted.

 

[jnyost]

Propane is awful convenient with less maintenance. It can also be used for other appliances, if wanted. You can pipe it out for your grill, propane stove, fireplace insert, dryer, etc.... I'd stick with propane if it were me.

 

[BoylermanCT]

CT requires all underground oil tanks be removed when you sell your house. Now we use 250 or 330 gal tanks in the basement or some have them outside. Heating oil outside of NY and New England is rare.

 

[Sigarms]

Heating oil outside of NY and New England is rare.

Big in Pennsylvania and more than you would think in North Western North Carolina. I replaced my fathers oil boiler back in the early 90's, and that's what's still there.

I joke with guys HVAC guys in NC that plumbers in Pa generally are heating companies due to hydronic heating, which oil does play a big part in, whereas in NC, plumbers rarely touch heating systems.

 

[RalphVa]

We're all electric here in central Va. In Cooperstown, you could go geothermal for even more efficiency. The multiplier for heat/kw is about 3/1 for most heat pumps and closer to 4/1 for ductless and geothermal. With geothermal, you can also get "free" hot water heating. Have a diesel (same as fuel oil) generator 12.5kw whole house backup. It runs the upstairs heat pump and basement ductless units plus hot water and drier when main electricity is out.

I worked with propane in most of our lube processing units for 31 years and know about its safety issues. Do not want it on my property. It pools, unlike NG which will go UP and out and away from trouble.

Ralph

 

[3gunr]

Just filled my propane tank last week ,paid a buck a gallon. try to get oil for that. if you dont want to rent a tank then just buy it , then shop around for the best price.