Electricity rates in Poconos- electric heat (Wind Gap, Riverside: insurance, houses, neighborhood)

[log living]

I have been reading that electric rates are going up next year. What does it cost to heat a typical 2000sqft house during winter months in Poconos? Is propane heat cheaper now?

[Riverside4ever]

Coal is prob the cheapest .. Or a wood burner ( if you get your wood Cheap or free)

electric will break the bank

[thecoalman]

Propane won't be much better because of the delivery charge.

You can get costs per million BTU and do a reverse calculation based on your average monthly bill. You'll need to know what the rates are for the fuel source:

Fuel Comparison Calculator for Home Heating

Riverside is correct, electric will break the bank. It's probably most expensive heat you can have. I can give you rough estimate on the coal for 2000 sq. ft., rule of thumb is about 4 to 5 tons a year per 2000 sq. ft. In the Poconos you're probably looking at $200 delivered per ton in the off season. Approx. $800 to $1000 per year however if you have one of the those super insulted electric houses you're looking at maybe even half that.

Originally Posted by Riverside4ever

Coal is prob the cheapest .. Or a wood burner ( if you get your wood Cheap or free)

It would have to be in the neighborhood of about $150 per cord to compete with coal and I'm basing that on the delivered rates of coal into your basment, delivery rates vary for the coal though as does the quality of the wood so it's really all over the place.

[fisheye]

Wood has many hidden cost. Yes, if you have the wood and would have to get rid of it; why not burn it. However; the hidden cost could be: Buying and maintaining a pickup truck, buying a chainsaw, buying tarps or building sheds or overhangs to let the wood age, splinters, pinched fingers, dirt, ashes, bugs - especially ants and spiders, insurance cost (your insurance company probably wants to be notified if you go this route) and finally a lot of work. One or two dead trees on your property is not a good enough reason to go into wood heat.

I sold firewood many years ago - when the going price was $35/cord. I also have a house that used to burn a lot of wood each year. My house originally had electric heat. Even with 15 to 16 cords of wood each year; I still had high electric bills. About fifteen years ago I went to oil baseboard heat and have not looked back. I have beefed up our insulation over the years.

Natural gas is probably the cheapest heat? There are Energy Star benefits for choosing the right system today. Do your homework and see what energy cost in your area. Also; check for discounts - if you don’t ask; you might not get a discount. I usually get $.10/galleon off for early payment and a 5% senior citizens discount on my oil. Possibly there are companies that offer veteran discounts - (I usually ask)?

[JamMan]

Never thought of asking about discounts, fisheye. Thanks for the tip; I'm going to call my oil/propane company on Monday to ask.

[fisheye]

JamMan,

I always ask. Perhaps it was from the days that I had my own business? I remember an old adage: It is not how well you sell; it is how well you buy.

Have you ever taken in proof of Honorable Discharge to Lowes? I have received a 10% discount. I don’t think they like to brag about it (they should). I also have not used that for a year or so - the policy could have changed?

[DavidWebb]

I overheard the guys at Cozy Barn in Wind Gap quoting a price of $240/ton delivered to someone on the phone the other day for those who have pellet stoves...when I first started buying pellets from them in 12/2007 it was $225/delivered...$15 difference...

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by fisheye

Natural gas is probably the cheapest heat?

Not in this area, coal unlike pellets or wood is much more comparable to conventional heat. They do have boilers if that is what you might be interested in. Having said that last year many people out of state that are paying a lot for the coal ($300 a ton plus) and had really cheap rates for NG were finding the NG gas prices comparable or even cheaper. That won't last, seen it too many times over the years. Energy prices will spike again and everyone will be scrambling for an alternative, in 2007 there was one year wait for coal boiler.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by DavidWebb

I overheard the guys at Cozy Barn in Wind Gap quoting a price of $240/ton delivered to someone on the phone the other day for those who have pellet stoves...when I first started buying pellets from them in 12/2007 it was $225/delivered...$15 difference...

You could get one ton of coal for that cost if not less, the pellets are 16.5 million BTu/ton while the coal is at least 24 million BTU/ton. It's significantly less.

As far as price fluctuations go one thing that is really nice about anthracite is nice stable prices, it has basically risen with the cost of inflation. There is nothing as stable as anthracite coal prices where energy is concerned.

[DavidWebb]

If I had a setup or somewhere I can store the coal away from the elements and away from sticky fingers I would switch for a coal stove...I might switch for a propane insert next year since carrying these 40lbs. of pellets is hurting my back and I've been home on bed rest since Dec. 1st due to back problems...