Is converting to natural gas worth it? (Dunkirk: insurance, budget)

[NYTom]

My fixed oil contract pricing expires the end of this month. My Oil company quoted me next season's fixed price at $4.69. My 275 gallon tank will now cost $1300, and you know it's filled more then once.
I already have gas cooking and I'm considering converting to gas heat.
I am interested in hearing your experiences with Keyspan/National Grid and wanted to know if your satisfied?

Thanks, Tom

[AndreaII]

At this point in time I can only say that with gas heat there are very few tuneups - very little ever goes wrong, no puffbacks, no oil smell, in short much cleaner overall. Pricewise, I couldn't tell you because we're not living in the house where the gas heat is, and it hasn't even been on for a couple of months.

Of course you're going to hear people say "ka-boom" regarding gas heat, however, really what are the odds of that actually happening? My dad converted to gas heat years ago, he was an insurance agent and a very conscientious volunteer fireman and it passed his personal safety test.

After living with oil heat for the past 25 years, I'm worn out from the mess and stink of it, and the workmen when things break with the system (and it isn't all that old), and am looking forward to gas heat for the next years to come.

[iluvmycuties]

We're in the middle of conversion...it is worth it just b/c you don't have to run out of oil in the middle of a cold night. Plus, the delivery guys are always running something over in our driveway!

And the plain truth is this...if you happen to fall on hard times...Keyspan can give you payment options; whereas, the oil companies could care less if you are out of oil and have financial issues.

[trip]

I'm in the middle of a conversion also. I agree with "iluvmycuties". It was getting difficult to crack the "oil delivery nut" of about $500. I'm looking forward to a monthly bill to help budget.
Trip

[Kbinspections]

Gas is a better choice......National grid will not do the install, an approved plumber will. Go with a brand of boiler like Weil Mclain, Burnham or even Dunkirk (NYer). You will like gas over oil.

I have ssen some people have 2 boilers, gas and oil and run each one depending on fuel costs. A bit crazy IMO.

Oil systems get "out of tune" fairly quickly which makes them even more ineffiecent. Oil systems, by nature, can not be as clean and effiecent as gas.

[xbure9x]

How much does the conversion generally cost? If you have a relatively new oil burner (about 10 years old), is the cost involved in converting justified, because none of the negatives of oil heat should be affecting me (minus price), as long as I tune up the boiler each year. I have no oil smell in my home at all.

For example, if you spent $6000 on the conversion and $2000 per year in gas heat versus perhaps $3000 per year in oil heat, that would be 6 years before you made your money back from the conversion.

Of course, if the price of oil becomes upwards of $6-7 in the future, then of course the equation changes.

[newtoli]

Also with Keyspan, you can go on balanced billing, where you pay your gas bill in equal payments over the year. For example, say you spend $1500 for gas from Oct-Mar, and $500 from Apr-Sept for a total of $2000. You'd just pay $166 a month instead of a huge bill in winter and smaller bill in summer. I like that a lot.

[rocafeller05]

Its funny because we were just talking about the home heating oil prices this morning here at work. I just dont know how people on a tight budget will make it thru this coming heating season? Its just insane, $1300 to fill and tank that last 6-7 weeks . Unbelievable! Wonder how long it will take before a therm of gas goes thru the roof?
Does anyone know how much a therm of natural gas is right now?

Originally Posted by NYTom

My fixed oil contract pricing expires the end of this month. My Oil company quoted me next season's fixed price at $4.69. My 275 gallon tank will now cost $1300, and you know it's filled more then once.
I already have gas cooking and I'm considering converting to gas heat.
I am interested in hearing your experiences with Keyspan/National Grid and wanted to know if your satisfied?

Thanks, Tom

[newtoli]

Originally Posted by rocafeller05

Its funny because we were just talking about the home heating oil prices this morning here at work. I just dont know how people on a tight budget will make it thru this coming heating season? Its just insane, $1300 to fill and tank that last 6-7 weeks . Unbelievable! Wonder how long it will take before a therm of gas goes thru the roof?
Does anyone know how much a therm of natural gas is right now?

This is directly from my bill, looks like you pay for delivery and supply? Still WAY cheaper than oil... In the height of winter my husband keeps it at 70, and my highest 60 day bill was around $450. My balanced bill charge for the year is $140, and my husband is VERY generous with the heat, has to have it cranked if it is slightly chilly.

GAS DELIVERY COST
Basic Service :@ $ .3423
First 6.0 Therms in Basic Service
Next 11.0 Therms @ $ 0.8205
Next 78.0 Therms @ $ 0.8205
Next 143.0 Therms @ $ 0.3791
WNA : 238 Therms @ $ .005470
SBC : 238 Therms @ $ .012400

GAS SUPPLY COST
Supply : 238 Therms @ $ 1.029747

[okaydorothy]

We have gas in our house ; it also runs the a/c in the summer. Keyspan put in the ac last year. I love the gas ; it always works, never a problem. The latest bill I got was for $110.00.

A house we rent out has oil and its a pain in the you know where. i would never buy a house again with oil heat.

d