What are folks doing about winter heating? (Portland: credit, house)

[Coaster]

I've been looking at articles about projected oil prices for this winter -- $100 a barrel is apparently a possibility -- in light of a conversation I had with a neighbor Sunday. He was in the market for firewood, and prices in our area are running at around $220 a cord. My fuel oil supplier is offering various prepay and locked-in price deals. Right now I'm thinking about buying maybe 500 gallons and depending on my woodstove to carry the balance. Anyone else thinking about staying warm in the cold on a hot day like this?

[Elcarim]

While on this topic, can someone tell this ignorant Texan what "hot water baseboard" heating is and how it's heated? Thanks!

Boy, we have a lot to learn!

[mollysmiles]

what a yucky day this is huh? where'd the humidity come from? ewww...

Anyway, 2 years ago we converted one of our wood burning fireplaces to propane. Hubby had been wanting to do it, and I agreed but only because the other fireplace was to be kept woodburning! We expected that we might see some savings in our oil bill, but I didn't expect that I would like it very much, so I wasn't thinking I would use it often. I was so wrong! I loved it from the start...and had it on every morning while we were all getting ready to head out the door. Although our system has always been economical (HWBB w/3 zones), this has saved us a nice little chunk of change. The way our heating bills averaged out over the winter, the credit we had on our account by July paid for the propane insert and the propane. I'm not sure what the projected prices are for propane this winter, but right now we're planning on using that unit as much as we did last year

[Elcarim]

Funny! The day you guys are having is a COOL day in Texas!!

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

While on this topic, can someone tell this ignorant Texan what "hot water baseboard" heating is and how it's heated? Thanks!

Boy, we have a lot to learn!

Baseboard heating units are pipes with fins attached that run along the base of a wall. The furnace sends hot (not boiling!) water through the pipes, and the fins radiate the heat into the room. With the covers on them, mine at about six inches high and perhaps two-three inches thick. The longest units I've seen are about seven feet. I suppose anything much longer wouldn't have much heat in the water at the far end.

[Elcarim]

So, how are they heated? Electric, gas, propane? And is that heating more/less expensive than other options? And are they hot to the touch? I'm wondering about the safest options with small children in the home. Thanks!

[BacktoNE]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

So, how are they heated? Electric, gas, propane? And is that heating more/less expensive than other options? And are they hot to the touch? I'm wondering about the safest options with small children in the home. Thanks!

It's oil heat and it's very safe. It's the only heat I ever knew until we moved to WI last year and now we have natural gas (scary stuff!).

If you are very lucky, you find a house that has the hot water heater directly off the furnace instead of a separate electric hot water heater. That way, you never run out of hot water and your light bill doesn't go thru the roof. Or, if budget allows, you can always convert to that type of system.

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

So, how are they heated? Electric, gas, propane? And is that heating more/less expensive than other options? And are they hot to the touch? I'm wondering about the safest options with small children in the home. Thanks!

The water is heated by a furnace that can be fueled by whatever you like. In Maine, most homes have oil-fired furnaces, although natural gas is growing more popular in the Portland area. I've also seen wood-fired and propane furnaces used in BBHW systems. The heating units themselves are very safe. The covers never get hot. I would judge BBHW heat as one of the safest if small children are an issue.

[Elcarim]

Thanks for the info. Yes, it's a big issue! Our kids are 6,5 & 2 and they, as most children, touch EVERYTHING just to see if it hurts! I've never had to protect my kids from our central a/c and heat, so this is all going to be very new to us.

[399083453]

I have a Rinnai Heater. Its similar to a monitor. I love it. Harldy makes any noise at all, whisper quiet. Does the entire house.

Fuel: Natrural Gas
Cost: $40 month in winter. This Feb was higher $80 Summer: $0
Size House: 1800 sqft