Isn't Propane Home Heat Expensive? (Sussex: new home, buying, construction)

[Sfxdj]

Hi y'all - I'm new home shopping in Sussex Cnty NJ and found that many of the homes up there do not have Natural Gas hookups accept those in closer to town centers. I was surprised to see so many Propane users even on new construction. Isn't Propane expensive compared to Natural or Oil? Even on a newer more efficient home?

I currently have Natural Gas fueling my HW heater and forced air furnace and though it's not cheap, I have a feeling that buying a Propane fueled house in a somewhat colder region of the State would be the death of me. My current gas bill is about $200-$300 a month during the 3 winter months and less than $40 in the summer as I switch to the forced A/C. Then my electric goes up to about $125 or so.

Does anybody out there have any advice for this sceptical home buyer? It could make or break a possible home buy/sale for me....

[JBrown]

I know a number of people who have gone the propane route for heating. Without exception they all have changed over the system to oil. I'm in a rural area with no chance of a natural gas hook up. One couple had a new home built and the builder gave them estimates that had nothing to do with reality. When the first winter rolled in and they got their first refill bill they freaked out. Then a few weeks later the tank was time for a refill again !!. They were so shocked they had an independent gas supplier come out and check for leaks in the system !! They were sure they couldn't be going thru that much money.
They put up with it thru the winter but come spring they had contractors out swapping the system over to oil.

I'm sure the equipment and installation cost is less for propane, so the builder will go that route. He's not concerned about your costs once the deal is closed. I wouldn't believe ANY builders estimates on fuel, taxes etc. Be smart...continue to derive your own info before making the plunge.