home heating oil

banana · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 05:24 PM

Anyone besides me thinking the price of home heating oil is getting a bit ridiculous this year? The last I checked it was 2.99 a gallon.

We are hoping to use our fireplace more as well as our electric space heaters. I'm hoping for a mild winter here in PA.

sweeps · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 07:14 PM

Pretty soon it'll be more economical to burn dollar bills.

momof1in150 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 03:27 AM

It is between $2.85 and $3.10 per gallon. I can't believe that it cost the same to put refined Super Unleaded gas in my car as it does to put oil in my tank at home. Of course, the weather has cooled off significantly and we have to have the heat on so there isn't much we can do about it. Fortunately, we have programable thermostats and 3 zones so I can control it a little more.

Joan.of.the.Arch · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 07:54 AM

Is it really more cost effective to use electric space heaters than to use that oil? If so, yes, I'd do that.

So how long does it take to burn a gallon? I have no idea. I've never known anyone whose home had an oil furnace, though I understand there are some in my city. Never see an oil delivery truck out on the roads either.

Seems like there are more oil customers in the northeast, which is odd because that is one of the longest distances from the sources of the oil, isn't it? But then, it would be far from natural gas and from the biggest sources of coal, too. Wood? Dunno.

I see so much wood in the alleys here headed for the landfill that I wish I did have a woodstove. I would not hesitate to scavenge wood for fuel. Now, you've got a fireplace, already. I hope it is a good one. Would you have to purchase wood?

momof1in150 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 08:03 AM

The most important money saving tip when burning oil is to have your furnace cleaned every year. It will save you a ton of money in the long run.

PRICEPLUS · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 09:43 AM

I am fortunate in that I have natural gas for heating. Somewhat less than oil but who knows for how long. The electric here is pretty expensve as well.
We as a nation need to conserve but the bottom line is that India and China wil pick up what we do not buy.

We need to find viable alternative sources of fuel but I fear that effort will become embroiled in politics. Heaven help us!

banana · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 03:30 PM

I dont know how long it takes my house to burn a gallon of oil. But typically I would burn about 100 gallons a month sometimes more if it is really cold.

I do think it is cheaper to keep one room warmer and let the rest of the house get a bit colder to help save on the oil usage. That is when no one is home during the day except for me.

mom-from-missouri · #8 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 03:56 PM

When my grandma was still alive (Northern Indiana, in Amish country) she was lucky enough to have a natural gas well on her land. So, she was able to cook, have hot water and heat only for the cost of the appliances. And, since the winters there can be harsh, it was nice to know that it would always be warm.

Gruntina · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

I see so much wood in the alleys here headed for the landfill that I wish I did have a woodstove. I would not hesitate to scavenge wood for fuel. Now, you've got a fireplace, already. I hope it is a good one. Would you have to purchase wood?

We have wood fireplace to heat up our home. It cost roughly $200 for each cord of wood if we don't have friends who let us cut up their dead trees. (We are lucky as we live in the mountains). Normally we need 5-6 cords each winter.

However, there are several communities trying to Ban wood burning fireplaces due to pollutions. I find this a joke sometimes because the lawn mover emits way more pollution than a wood burning fireplace.

Joan.of.the.Arch · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 07:46 AM

Wow, Gruntina, 5-6 cords at $200 per= $1000-$1200 and in the Bay area! Expensive! Surely there as not even that much cold to work against.

momof1in150 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 08:10 AM

I agree that is a lot of money to heat a CA home. I go through 2 tanks of oil a year. My tank is 275 gallons. So at today's price ($2.85) it would cost just about $1600 for heat and hot water. I live in RI so I have to run the heat from Oct - late April. I am feeling pretty good about it now.

banana · #12 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 08:53 AM

Wow only 2 tanks for RI is awesome especially since it includes your Hotwater. At what temperature do you keep your house at?

momof1in150 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 12:27 PM

68 during the day and 64 at night. We have really low ceilings, new windows and a really well-insulated attic so it helps a lot.

Gruntina · #14 (**permalink**) 11-08-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

Wow, Gruntina, 5-6 cords at $200 per= $1000-$1200 and in the Bay area! Expensive! Surely there as not even that much cold to work against.

Yepper it is expensive. Our propane for home heating as an alternative is more espensive to run at 3.30 a gallon.

I live in the santa cruz mountains and it sure gets cold and constant rain in a typical winter. Our house was bulilt in the early 1900's so there is no room to install a centeral heating system since the house/cabin is built by bricks from the ground.

debtfreecb · #15 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 01:59 PM

I live in the Northeast and oil is $3.00+ per gallon. I've turned the thermostats down to 61 degrees in the rooms we sleep in. I supplement with wood heat @ $2.25 per cord. The wood stove throws off more heat and we can relax in a warmer living room with the wood heat at approx. 80 balmy degrees. I couldn't afford to heat the house to such warm temperatures with oil.

I know that the cost of heating oil and gas for my car will limit my spending in all areas - food, no more gym membership, travel @ Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Quite frankly, I think the average Joe is going to be severely handicapped by the rising cost of gas and oil. I worry about those who less financial resources than me.

Fern · #16 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007, 09:02 AM

as i understand, only about 9% of the US heats with oil, and most of those are in the northeast.

I usually get by with 2 full tanks (275 gallon) of oil a season. my strategy for the last several years has been to use it all up by spring, then wait to refill it in late summer/early fall when prices are low. Apparently that was the right thing to do this year as I paid $2.29 on July 12 to fill my tank and it's gone way up since then. I also shop around every time i get a fill up as price per gallon varies among local suppliers by .30 a gallon according to my surveys.

I plan to make this one tank last as long as possible, probably into January. My thermostat is set at 56 at night, 58 during the day. I live alone with a cat in a 1650 sf home. It's chilly, but i've gotten used to wearing sweaters in the house and having lots of blankets piled on the bed. I don't know how long i can keep these low temps up, but the most i plan to turn it to is 60, as late into the season as i can manage.

these prices scare me.

JBinKC · #17 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 11:51 AM

A fireplace is not the way to heat. It heats at about a 10% efficiency and then while it is cooling you are losing heat.

If you have a fireplace and burn firewood often I would be looking into modifying the hearth and looking into an EPA approved wood stove which gets a minimum of 63% and up to 73% efficiency in some models or a fireplace insert with a blower.

If you are not that concerned about the looks of the unit. You could get a payback period in one year.

leggzz66 · #18 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debtfreecb

I live in the Northeast and oil is $3.00+ per gallon. I've turned the thermostats down to 61 degrees in the rooms we sleep in. I supplement with wood heat @ $2.25 per cord. The wood stove throws off more heat and we can relax in a warmer living room with the wood heat at approx. 80 balmy degrees. I couldn't afford to heat the house to such warm temperatures with oil..

Id call around and ask questions. Most places have some sort of rebate coupon, low income suppliments and prepurchase programs. My dad gets a double whammy, senior and prepurchase, his is only like .89 cents in the summer and mine .99 cents. Just like a prepaid card, buy now and use it when u need it. Especially in the n.e. you have competitive pricing available as there is more competition, only one corporate here, mfa, others are mom/pop shops. One wont even deliver in my neighborhood, but look at it like a walmart venture, they meet or beat prices, see if yours will too. Thats what keeps my moms costs so low. She only uses her fireplace for looks/holidays, she also only uses a duraflame log though. Always worth making a few calls or checks online first even.

mom-from-missouri · #19 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 12:17 PM

I know some companies wont fill a gas or oil tank if the tank belongs to another company. Thats why we own our own propane tank. We can have it filled by anyone who fills in our neck of the woods.

As to the coment about the fireplaces--that is generally true--you lose heat. However, in recent years they have now designed a fireplace that is actually made for heating a home and has less heat lose thru the flu. DH first heard of it on "This old house" and followed up with his brick layer when he had this house built. In fact, his brick layer even went to a 3 day workshop on how to build these energy efficient fireplaes at a log home company.
The big difference I notice is the heat will blast you out of the room. After the fire is out, you don't get that cold feeling.
I would recommend to anyone who is wanting a fireplace in new construction to check into this.