cost of oil heat (rental, how much, houses)

[nsa162]

I am looking at a house that has oil heat. What is the average cost to heat your home for a winter season?The house is small,around 1000square feet. I am in Ocean County. Is it expensive to convert to gas?

[Calico696]

I'm in Warren County, my house is about 1800 sf and it cost me around $1700 to heat my house with oil this winter . I have programmable thermostat that keeps the temp at 60 when we are at work and at night. We keep it at 68 when home.

[nsa162]

Originally Posted by Calico696

I'm in Warren County, my house is about 1800 sf and it cost me around $1700 to heat my house with oil this winter . I have programmable thermostat that keeps the temp at 60 when we are at work and at night. We keep it at 68 when home.

Wow. thats alot. It seems like the only houses that are within my budget all have oil heat.Are there other costs associated with oil heat besides the oil itself? Maintenance?

[Calico696]

Originally Posted by nsa162

Wow. thats alot. It seems like the only houses that are within my budget all have oil heat.Are there other costs associated with oil heat besides the oil itself? Maintenance?

It is a lot, but bear in mind that the average price I paid per gallon this winter was about $3.50 per gallon, the highest $3.89 per gallon. This is extremely high. Who knows, 2 winters from now it might be $1.89 a gallon (wishful thinking). I also have a service plan on my furnace through the oil company. This cost $200 for the year and includes a full yearly cleaning. It covers most repairs if needed. I have forced hot air heat as opposed to baseboard or radiator, therefore I don't have a boiler. With forced hot air there is also the expense of changing filters. We do this once a month since we have cats and a dog.

[juliann1977]

Oil is bad news. We've been doing a short term rental in a house with oil heat, and it has cost about $2500. However, the house is more than twice as big as what you're looking at, and nothing about this house is energy efficient.

I so do not recommend oil heat.

[sligogirl]

Hi
If you are buying, ask for a clause from the seller to convert to gas, but, many say, gas, depending on home's sq. footage may be more.
My family in No. Calif, has solar, and pays pennies yearly.
NJ is so behind the times as far as solar and wind power....

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by sligogirl

Hi
If you are buying, ask for a clause from the seller to convert to gas, but, many say, gas, depending on home's sq. footage may be more.
My family in No. Calif, has solar, and pays pennies yearly.
NJ is so behind the times as far as solar and wind power....

Now thats just not true. NJ's solar energy program is way ahead of most states, and has been for a number of years. The incentive program had become so popular that grant money ran out, and they had to change to a new program. Lets not spread inaccurate info

[Dangerous-Boy]

I saw some houses with solar panels in my nieghborhood. Wonder how much they cost.....

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by Dangerous-Boy

I saw some houses with solar panels in my nieghborhood. Wonder how much they cost.....

It can be pricey.... and comes in alot of different flavors. I'm still thinking about doing solar, actually, when I redo my roof. Theres alot of costs to consider though.

[billb7581]

gas is less volatile year to year because the rates are regulated.

PSEG will help you out with a changeover, and a plus 90 furnace isn't terribly expensive. Getting rid of the tank is another story though!