Question about heating in houses... (apartment, condos, buying)

[QuilterChick]

Most of them hold 275 gallons; but you cannot let them get empty, the sediment is on the bottom. So figure a fill up after you've used about 210 gals. Most oil delivery contractors will put you on an "automatic delivery" system. If there is gas service in the neighborhood, in the street etc., most of the time you can convert to a gas fired system. Or, if the system is old and not efficient, you will need a totally new system. Just get the records from the former owner, and importantly find out what temperature they kept their heat at and how well the house is insulated. Some keep the thermostat very low to save oil.

[brent s]

Originally Posted by laf28

Just had our oil tank filled the other day at $4.99 a gallon. Yes, it's very expensive but at least oil doesn't explode and take the whole house with it. Choose your poison.

I think you mean $3.99 a gallon, no?

I just paid $3.79 a gallon on Friday.......

[brent s]

Also, my suggestion would be to avoid oil if at all possible, especially in an older home. I have oil heat, and my heating costs are more than double that of a friend of mine who has a house of similar age/size, but gas heat.

[heather3]

We would be looking for a newer home, possibly 1990 or later. Currently, I am in a 1970 one and am done with the upgrading and repairs an older home brings.
As for oil heat, I'd rather the non-exploding heat over the gas, that's for sure. However, are there many houses with electric heat? I know a heat pump wouldn't work in the colder New England climate.

You all have been very helpful, thanks!

[laf28]

Originally Posted by brent s

I think you mean $3.99 a gallon, no?

I just paid $3.79 a gallon on Friday.......

Sorry, my bad. It was actually $4.299 not $4.99. Not much better but it helps. Tank is 180 gallons approx. Gets filled maybe every month in the winter but we're in a drafty old 3 bed plus basement so it's not very efficient to say the least.

I'm torn on the issue. I don't like oil or gas really. There have been quite a few gas related explosions on the news recently so I really question the safety. Ideally I'd go for solar powered hot water tank with grid electric backup. That's what my house had growing up and it was a good setup. I onow it's obviously not an option for everyone but at least with electric you have the option to integrate these types of alternative energy and probably get a tax credit in the process. I guess there's no right answer in all of this - I'm just thinking out loud.

[brent s]

Originally Posted by heather3

We would be looking for a newer home, possibly 1990 or later. Currently, I am in a 1970 one and am done with the upgrading and repairs an older home brings.
As for oil heat, I'd rather the non-exploding heat over the gas, that's for sure. However, are there many houses with electric heat? I know a heat pump wouldn't work in the colder New England climate.

You all have been very helpful, thanks!

I know my neighbor has a heat pump. Obviously he has some type of backup system for when it gets below whatever temperature they stop being effective at.

He got it installed back in 2009. And just 2 years later and he is almost halfway to recovering his costs in savings over oil heat.

[NewfieMama]

I've had oil heat in older homes and newer homes. In our new home, we only filled the tank (275 gallons) 3x per year (usually November, February and June), which was reasonable. Now we are in an antique and since moving in June, we've filled it 7 times (also 275 gallons). And it will likely be filled again this week as we're down to a quarter tank. So, obviously costs to heat can vary wildly.

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by brent s

I know my neighbor has a heat pump. Obviously he has some type of backup system for when it gets below whatever temperature they stop being effective at.

He got it installed back in 2009. And just 2 years later and he is almost halfway to recovering his costs in savings over oil heat.

Heat pumps are a big no no in New England.

[cwaggy]

Is typically forced hot water in the baseboard heaters, fuel can be gas or oil.

Usually electric baseboard has a control knob right on the unit, not so with a forced water system.

Per BTU, electric heat is 3x the cost of oil heat, which is at least 2x the cost of natural gas.

[vogue1]

Oil heaters can be very, or not at all efficient, just like the gas ones. Hard learned lesson.

Make sure where ever you go to figure out how old is the actual heating unit, and what it is its efficiency--heating oil dealers do such measurements when cleaning, and prepping burner for the new season--free services if on automatic delivery. E.g. if your burner 89% efficient you are wasting 11% away --which is actually great number, and not bad furnace to live with. Ideally your burner should be at least 95-97% efficient not to waste much at all.

However if efficiency is more like 70-80% your heater is wasting plenty, and you need to upgrade. We have moved from an amazing place (rental) that had old, oil furnace installed in 1928 (and not kidding) and with 72% efficiency. We have filled that hungry monster every 4-6 weeks at $400-$600 a shot--awful!!! Now we have a place with oil again, but, we barely need two tanks a winter, and do not need to scrimp on heating at all (keeping it at 68-70 during the day and 63-65 through the night). You can imagine how happy we are it is so different now.