I have lived in my house since Jan. 1991 and it has always been heated with fuel oil. It was .79 cents/gal then and now it costs about $1,000 per 275 gallon tank. We spent about $3,100 last winter on oil, keeping it 68 degrees when home and 62 during the day. I live near Buffalo, NY and was wondering if anyone has switched to natural gas from oil and about how much you saved in monthly heating costs? I'm switching the hot water tank from electric to gas at the same time since they are pretty much next to each other. The dryer/stove will be in a couple years if not sooner (I hope). It's a normal 2 story house about 1,800 sq/ft. 90% of the house is insulated with pink batting in the walls, but the entire house is wrapped in 3/8" foam board all the way around under the siding. The cost of the new furnace plus installation is $3,350, which I thought was very reasonable. Old furnace was put in in 1975. Plus we won't run out of oil like what happened on 2 different Christmas days. Luckily a gas station near us was open then and I put 5 gallons of kerosene in for a two day supply. Overtime is tight and therefore I have to save where I can. Thanks for any opinions.
Anyone switch from heating oil to natural gas?
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Do you have forced hot air?
Eep! $3100 on fuel oil is a rip. Even in the worst month in my current fairly drafty abode I spent about $1000 in natural gas from November-April keeping the heat at 60*F at night and 65*F when my wife and I were here.
Buffalo always gets ripped for liquid petroleum products. Switch to natural gas, it should be far cheaper every winter.
Isn't fuel oil similar to #2 diesel, which is always expensive during the winter?
Buffalo always gets ripped for liquid petroleum products. Switch to natural gas, it should be far cheaper every winter.
Isn't fuel oil similar to #2 diesel, which is always expensive during the winter?
Yes I do. Our house is old, so our bedroom is heated by a grate in our living room ceiling. Only in the coldest temps do we have to leave the door open at night to bring in warm air from the hallway. Rest of the year it is fine.
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Do you have forced hot air?
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Do you have forced hot air?
I have burned diesel before in the furnace, but believe it or not, kerosene was 4 cents cheaper at the time than diesel (gas station error?) so it worked out. I live on a main road so gas lines are right here. I wanted to change years ago, but everyone said oil was so much warmer and more comfy. I listened and then paid later. You are right that we get screwed at the pump around here. I have no idea why?
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Eep! $3100 on fuel oil is a rip. Even in the worst month in my current fairly drafty abode I spent about $1000 in natural gas from November-April keeping the heat at 60*F at night and 65*F when my wife and I were here.
Buffalo always gets ripped for liquid petroleum products. Switch to natural gas, it should be far cheaper every winter.
Isn't fuel oil similar to #2 diesel, which is always expensive during the winter?
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Eep! $3100 on fuel oil is a rip. Even in the worst month in my current fairly drafty abode I spent about $1000 in natural gas from November-April keeping the heat at 60*F at night and 65*F when my wife and I were here.
Buffalo always gets ripped for liquid petroleum products. Switch to natural gas, it should be far cheaper every winter.
Isn't fuel oil similar to #2 diesel, which is always expensive during the winter?
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
I switched to natural gas in 2003 and could not be happier.If i was heating with oil now, my oil bill with the oil fired hot water as well would be 2800 for 12 months . I just calculated 12 months of gas which includes 91% high efficent furnace, gas hot water and gas woodstove. $ 935 dollars. Plus no costly maintence and insursance plan on the gas furnace, i have had zero issues with any of my gas equipment in the ten years of service. Plus my A/C seems to perform better with the gas furnace, moves more air. In heating retrofiting, sizing and installation mean everything not the brand of equipment. Make sure the do a heat load calculation for you, it may cost you some money but it will be well worth it in your home comfort, I guarantee you that some companys will come and say oh your old furnace was 115000Btu a new 60000 btu gas furnace will be just fine. Well you might get lucky with his guess but don't count on it.
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
Not correct A gas furnace that runs steady is more efficent than a unit thats to big and short cycles, read up on load calculations.
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
Not correct A gas furnace that runs steady is more efficent than a unit thats to big and short cycles, read up on load calculations.
Up here in Northern NY, 50 miles from the Canadian border, natural gas is not very common. Fuel oil is the norm. I have it for heat and hot water (boiler). I spend about $1600 per year on fuel oil. Space heaters help in the winter, and my electric bills don't get over $300/month with 4 1500 watt heaters going around the clock.
Growing up in the suburbs of Rochester, NY, we had a natural gas furnace and hot water heater, and winter utility bills ranged into the $400 per month area (RG&E, sister company to NYSEG).
Growing up in the suburbs of Rochester, NY, we had a natural gas furnace and hot water heater, and winter utility bills ranged into the $400 per month area (RG&E, sister company to NYSEG).
Originally Posted By: hemitom
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
Not correct A gas furnace that runs steady is more efficent than a unit thats to big and short cycles, read up on load calculations.
While you don't want a furnace that's so large it'll only run very short cycles even on the coldest days, an undersized unit that runs constantly all winter is also a poor choice. It will have decreased longevity from constant operation and also strip the humidity from the house much more so than a properly sized unit.
I had a nice two-stage (Lennox?) in my last place that was a great unit. Two different levels of output kept the efficiency in the sweet spot. It was less expensive for me to run than the underpowered single stage unit that it replaced.
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
Not correct A gas furnace that runs steady is more efficent than a unit thats to big and short cycles, read up on load calculations.
While you don't want a furnace that's so large it'll only run very short cycles even on the coldest days, an undersized unit that runs constantly all winter is also a poor choice. It will have decreased longevity from constant operation and also strip the humidity from the house much more so than a properly sized unit.
I had a nice two-stage (Lennox?) in my last place that was a great unit. Two different levels of output kept the efficiency in the sweet spot. It was less expensive for me to run than the underpowered single stage unit that it replaced.
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
Originally Posted By: hemitom
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
Not correct A gas furnace that runs steady is more efficent than a unit thats to big and short cycles, read up on load calculations.
While you don't want a furnace that's so large it'll only run very short cycles even on the coldest days, an undersized unit that runs constantly all winter is also a poor choice. It will have decreased longevity from constant operation and also strip the humidity from the house much more so than a properly sized unit.
I had a nice two-stage (Lennox?) in my last place that was a great unit. Two different levels of output kept the efficiency in the sweet spot. It was less expensive for me to run than the underpowered single stage unit that it replaced.
Two stage furnace , now thats a totally different animal, gives you more margin for sizing error. A proper load calculation will take your coldest day of the year, and size your furnace to run steady on this day, now you know as well as i do you have a lot of days much warmer then this so its as close as you can get to properly sizing your furnace, this is why a two stage or variable speed furnace wins out.
Originally Posted By: hemitom
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
Not correct A gas furnace that runs steady is more efficent than a unit thats to big and short cycles, read up on load calculations.
While you don't want a furnace that's so large it'll only run very short cycles even on the coldest days, an undersized unit that runs constantly all winter is also a poor choice. It will have decreased longevity from constant operation and also strip the humidity from the house much more so than a properly sized unit.
I had a nice two-stage (Lennox?) in my last place that was a great unit. Two different levels of output kept the efficiency in the sweet spot. It was less expensive for me to run than the underpowered single stage unit that it replaced.
Two stage furnace , now thats a totally different animal, gives you more margin for sizing error. A proper load calculation will take your coldest day of the year, and size your furnace to run steady on this day, now you know as well as i do you have a lot of days much warmer then this so its as close as you can get to properly sizing your furnace, this is why a two stage or variable speed furnace wins out.
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We spent about $200-250 in natural gas for 3-4 months from December until February-March for heating, water heater, cooking and cloth dryer.
We set the thermostat at 56-57F at night and during daytime, 60-62F in the evening. The forced air heater rarely on at night and running about 20-30 minutes in the evening when outside temp dropped to 45-50 or below which is rare in So Cal.
During summer the cost of natural gas dropped to around $20-25/mo.
We set the thermostat at 56-57F at night and during daytime, 60-62F in the evening. The forced air heater rarely on at night and running about 20-30 minutes in the evening when outside temp dropped to 45-50 or below which is rare in So Cal.
During summer the cost of natural gas dropped to around $20-25/mo.
I am currently on the budget plan with Ct. light& power at $620 per month.That includes baseboard heat and hot water.We have 7 portable ac on dedicated electrical lines.Gas co will put in 210ft. line at no cost providing I install gas furance with ac and all necessary vents.Quotes to date range from 18k to 27k.Any advise?
Our local gas company (NYSEG) will install up to 100' free from the main line. We fall within that range so I'm happy. I am not a contractor, but that seems like a pretty high estimate, and you would have to wonder how long the payback would be to justify switching. Having central air vs 7 individual A/C units would simply things for sure.
Originally Posted By: oilmutt
I am currently on the budget plan with Ct. light& power at $620 per month.That includes baseboard heat and hot water.We have 7 portable ac on dedicated electrical lines.Gas co will put in 210ft. line at no cost providing I install gas furance with ac and all necessary vents.Quotes to date range from 18k to 27k.Any advise?
Originally Posted By: oilmutt
I am currently on the budget plan with Ct. light& power at $620 per month.That includes baseboard heat and hot water.We have 7 portable ac on dedicated electrical lines.Gas co will put in 210ft. line at no cost providing I install gas furance with ac and all necessary vents.Quotes to date range from 18k to 27k.Any advise?
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
Not to veer too far off topic but that is not correct. The more a unit runs, the more efficient it is. Most losses occur during start-up. Properly sized units running at 100% during max loads have less start-up losses and run more efficient than oversized units.
Oversizing equipment is almost always going to lead to a reduction in efficiency. And running equipment doesn't break down. Starting and stopping is hardest on equipment, not running.
You'll definitely save by switching. Get the most efficient model you can afford. Also, don't get a model that's just barely powerful enough for your house. A unit that's too small and has to run frequently will be less efficient.
I burn wood pellets myself. I found its a good median between expensive oil/propane and cheap but more labor intensive wood. I went from $3,500 in propane to $900 in wood pellets (4.5 tons) annually. I don't have natural gas where I am, or I would go that route for sure.
Not to veer too far off topic but that is not correct. The more a unit runs, the more efficient it is. Most losses occur during start-up. Properly sized units running at 100% during max loads have less start-up losses and run more efficient than oversized units.
Oversizing equipment is almost always going to lead to a reduction in efficiency. And running equipment doesn't break down. Starting and stopping is hardest on equipment, not running.
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Those are some big figures! I ... think I may have to hold off on getting a house!
My 1 bedroom apartment cost about $50 to heat in the winter!
My parents live in an uninsulated house built in 1850 and they spent less than $3000 heating it last year. Is there something wrong with the furnace?
It may be worth insulating your home.
My 1 bedroom apartment cost about $50 to heat in the winter!
My parents live in an uninsulated house built in 1850 and they spent less than $3000 heating it last year. Is there something wrong with the furnace?
It may be worth insulating your home.
I had normal maintenance done on our furnace a few years ago including cleaning the nozzle and changing the fuel filter/ air filter. I think it is just old and not efficient even when new in 1975. When oil was .89 cents a gallon twenty years ago, it wasn't a big deal. But now locking in our price at $3.89 gal. really gets expensive. The house is almost all insulated and it used to burn a tank in 1 month before the insulation went in. After, it went to every 6 weeks using the same settings. I'm not expecting outrageous savings, but enough to make a difference in the long run.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Those are some big figures! I ... think I may have to hold off on getting a house!
My 1 bedroom apartment cost about $50 to heat in the winter!
My parents live in an uninsulated house built in 1850 and they spent less than $3000 heating it last year. Is there something wrong with the furnace?
It may be worth insulating your home.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Those are some big figures! I ... think I may have to hold off on getting a house!
My 1 bedroom apartment cost about $50 to heat in the winter!
My parents live in an uninsulated house built in 1850 and they spent less than $3000 heating it last year. Is there something wrong with the furnace?
It may be worth insulating your home.
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