Propane Users: Plans for the Future?

[kcflhrc]

One of my neighbors just installed 2 electric heat pumps to cut down his propane use

That will help when it is above freezing. But anything below 30 degrees and the heat pumps are worthless. I have a brand new heat pump with propane backup we installed right after we moved in.

 

[PastTense]

That will help when it is above freezing. But anything below 30 degrees and the heat pumps are worthless. I have a brand new heat pump with propane backup we installed right after we moved in.

Apparently some new model heat pumps will go to a much lower temperature:
"Fujitsu has just released their latest heat pump, the RLS-2H which maintains it’s rated output down to -15°F"
The Latest Heat Pump Works Down to -15°F

 

[grsthegreat]

Apparently some new model heat pumps will go to a much lower temperature:
"Fujitsu has just released their latest heat pump, the RLS-2H which maintains it’s rated output down to -15°F"
The Latest Heat Pump Works Down to -15°F

these arnt very efficient..and need heated condensate drains. 15,000 btu isnt much compared to the 125,000 btu furnace my house needs. I have a heat pump and it works good till the temps hit 35F, after which the defrost cycle system robs any savings in energy. Then it goes to propane backup heater (95% efficient unit). I have a wood burning fireplace also, and plan on stocking up a better supply of wood than i did last year. i just got lazy.

 

[PastTense]

We are considering
...
B. A coal-fired OUTDOOR boiler system.

Would you have to load the coal into the system manually every day or so--or is the coal in small pellets or whatever and will flow into the system smoothly?
Where do you get the coal? My impression is that people only use coal not that far away from coal mines. The nearest dealer to me (and it looks like about the only one is the state) is 100 miles away.

 

[dave1949]

Bagged nut or pea coal is available here in a few farm & hardware stores. I don't know how the cost compares but usually coal is cheap on a btu basis.

Coal stinks and pollutes. And if you ever get a backdraft and your stove puffs, it is not going to be good. Been there and tried that.

 

[coobie]

I planned for the future about 10 years ago and installed a wood pellet stove to heat our whole house.Propane prices did the same thing about 10 years back from 99 cents per gal. to over $2 per gal.Got sick of getting screwed.coobie

 

[BitChin1]

That will help when it is above freezing. But anything below 30 degrees and the heat pumps are worthless. I have a brand new heat pump with propane backup we installed right after we moved in.

Actually this is not the case with mini-split units - mine works quite well down to -5deg and still puts out warm air at -13deg and at very efficient level.
I also have a ground source unit for lower levels and it works at any outside temp we will experience in SC Kansas.

 

[Ridgewalker]

We have a 1,000 gallon tank that I filled in November. It's setting at 50% at the moment and I shouldn't have to refill until summer. Our atrium ranch faces SE and we had windows open today even thou it was 11F. The sun really warms the house up!

We have a wood burning fireplace and a couple of oil heaters for use in the basement when the sun is blocked. I spent about 800$ per year on propane. I'll take it!

 

[arnoldziffel]

Our nearest large coal dealer is 5 miles away. They will deliver bulk or bagged.

An outdoor coal boiler is very similar to an outdoor wood boiler. Only the plumbing needed to circulate the coal heated liquid enters your home.

The boilers I'm looking at are automatic stokers with large hoppers that can hold enough coal for days.

We have very high quality coal here in the northeast. When operating properly there is no smell, no smoke.

 

[Beltman60]

put in a wood pellet stove 3 years ago
first year 1 ton
second year 1 1/2 tons
this year I hope to get thru with < 3 tons

I pay $200 per ton max

my back up is propane and I only have a 250 gal tank that is on 60%
my hot water heater and kitchen stove still use propane

my house is warmer when running my pellet stove (74 deg with coldest part of the house at 66 deg)than running my heat pump (whole house at 67 deg)
my wife and daughter hate when it warms up outside (above 30 deg) when I go back to using the heat pump

pellet stoves are noisy and require electricity to move the heat
I have mine on a rather large ups and with power outages have plenty of time to get my generator out from the barn and get things hooked up to my main panel to run all my electric