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Posted by: thud
Have any of you looked into a waste oil fueled BOILER for heating? Most garages/farms etc are more then willing to give you waste oil so they dont have to deal with it. Have heard of ,although never actaully seen, set ups where a boiler is used to produce hot water which is then circulated through a radiator thats inserted into the conventional heating ducts in a house. Might be an option although Im not sure if waste oil boilers are legal for residential use, I know that waste oil furnaces arent.
Posted by: mystereid
Coyotechaser, we only use a woodstove insert and I was bothered by the amount of wood we went through last year. What really ticked me off was feeling the fireplace bricks all toasty warm outside on freezing days. I checked around and nobody could give me a reason not to insulate around the insert so I bought some High temp insulation and wrapped the woodstove and then stuffed the rest of the cavity with regular pink insulation minus the paper. I would guess it's around 30% more efficient now-I'm pretty happy with it.
Posted by: mystereid
Our insert has the stainless liner and a fan that blows air under and back over the top. We went through about 7 cords of mixed wood. some oak, fir and cedar. So far all our wood has been free but has come from cleaning up my Father-in-law's property and really has been a pain. I cut about 12 cord last year to stock up but there's to much clean up for what the wood was worth. I'm checking into Forest service permits or buying a log truck load of misc.
Posted by: Sandgod
My 1800sq ft finished area is about 110 in Jan on Natural gas. Average lows are 15 and highs are 36, but it's usually a lot colder. I turn the heat down to 65 at night and during weekdays while at work. I have a programable thermostat also..I work for a wood and vinyl window company so good windows doors and weatherstripping can all make a huge difference on those areas that seem to be like sitting outside. I'm to poor to afford wood windows,. I own a money pit quad LMAO, so I have some nice Low E vinyl windows..
Posted by: LEP7MM
we use propane. When the bedroom gets a little cold at night, I'll stick a cold toe up in the "Y" and then the wife gets all fired up. I just have to move fast so I don't get kicked while I'm vulnerable.
Posted by: LEP7MM
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Originally posted by: Raptorlegs
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Originally posted by: LEP7MM
we use propane. When the bedroom gets a little cold at night, I'll stick a cold toe up in the "Y" and then the wife gets all fired up. I just have to move fast so I don't get kicked while I'm vulnerable.hr>
What do you do if you get a cold nose? hr>
I wear a helmet on those occasions.
Posted by: Chris142
My house is 900 sq ft.
My main heater is a propane burning furnace. I also have a Propane stove. I use about 50 gallons a month in winter @ $2.35 delivered. I can go all summer on 50 gallons.
I have a fireplace in the living room and it eats a cord of wood a month @ $225 a cord.
Posted by: 1BigDSRider
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Originally posted by: LEP7MM
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Originally posted by: Raptorlegs
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Originally posted by: LEP7MM
we use propane. When the bedroom gets a little cold at night, I'll stick a cold toe up in the "Y" and then the wife gets all fired up. I just have to move fast so I don't get kicked while I'm vulnerable.hr>
What do you do if you get a cold nose? hr>
I wear a helmet on those occasions.hr>
img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
Posted by: TIC
geothermal heat also!! I have to agree summer time is when its at its best, it blows some cool air..
Winter has a little to be desired. because out of register air is only around 90 to 95 degrees. And to our human body that feals like cooler air.
what system do you have? mine is a water furnace brand with a closed loop system that was installed in 1996 and other than normal stuff its been great! We heat our single story ranch home for no more than 60 to 80 dollars a month and cool it for about 30 to 70 a month, it also heats our hot water. and this is total amount , our home is all electric. However a couple of kerosene heaters are in the garage just in case the power fails.
Posted by: TIC
Our biggest save was to put a timer on our hot water heater. it stays off from about 10 pm until next morning when we are ready to get up. and also shuts off while we are at work. Yes you do have to schedule around it a bit on the weekend but nothing major. And you can always bypass it when you have company.
This little trick took me 5 years to finally figure out when our service man came for the yearly check.
He asked me if I had been just "turning off my hot water heater in the summer while the air was running" I said no i had not. He said for greatest efficency and ease on the unit.... it will run much better if you let your hot water heater take all the heat instead of the unit doing extra work putting the heat back inthe ground. So now along about july when it gets hot and I turn on the ac... I just kick the breaker to my water heater and let it totally heat my water... and it will. Good luck with that tip
Posted by: Bubba297
We are all electric running about 1500 square feet and a double garage (my shop). We have a heat pump and our electric bill in over 5 years has never exceeded $145.00.
Posted by: Bubba297
This is not referring to house heating, but part of my low cost of electric housing would include my tankless water heater. It has been in for 2 years now and I would never own another tank type water heater. It only works when you need it to, and I bought one with no electronics. It has 4 heat chambers, 4 thermostats, and 4 contactors,that's it. After looking at electric bills it has saved money that I can see.
Posted by: Bing
gas here,,,,instant heat
now, if I could just keep all the heat from flying out these cheesy aluminum double-hungs from the 50's
Posted by: Bing
my bill has never been over $40 for gas(month)
Posted by: Bing
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Originally posted by: extremerider2811
my dad has a heating and cooling business, the best way to heat a house is in floor heating, its gonna be major to do that to a house that already has some diferent heat source in it but in floor uses hot water from the water heater,, and circulates through out tubes layed out under concrete under the floor, lower costs, but installation prices will cut your head off.
I would have to agree with that,,,,,,radiant heat floors are awesome,,,,as long as they are installled properly.
Posted by: reconranger
It's 80 degrees, and my windows are wide open!
Posted by: Coyotechaser
What do you use to heat your home? Oil, gas, electric, wood, etc.... Any different ideas?
Heating oil cost are up about 57 cents per gallon from this time last year. I'm looking for ideas. I also burn wood in a fireplace. (w/ insert) I have a lot of wood stocked up so far. I'm just looking forward to next winter. Maybe making some changes.
Posted by: Coyotechaser
I'm really trying to put a dent in my heating oil bills this year. In the summer of '98 I bought oil for 79 cents a gallon. I was just quoted $1.869 a gallon the other day. My brother usually spends $0.00 on heat besides the cost of chain saw fuel and upkeep. I had installed a new oil furnace in my house a few years ago. Now I wish I would have installed a new wood stove. I have a big creek stone fireplace with an insert. The insert doesn't hold a fire for as long as I would like. It's not sealed very good.
So for now, I'm trying to gather a lot of wood. Right now it's about 30 degrees outside and 78 degrees inside with the wood fire. I think I have enough wood to last about 3 months straight. (depending on temps) I need to get back out there and gather some more wood. It's just hard to have the time with these short days. I also need to get my wood splitter running right. I had to split the last couple loads by hand. Takes a little more time.
So, I'm on the watch for another heating source. (in addition to the two I have) Wood is really the cheapest way to go right now. Little hard on the back but easier on the wallet. If you cut your own. The people selling already split wood have really been raising their prices. Maybe I should sell my wood and buy heating oil with the money? j/k
Posted by: Coyotechaser
The insert was in the fireplace when we bought our house. At one time, I took the insert out and put insulation above the insert to prevent heat from going up the chimney. With this insert, air is supposed to circulate from under the insert, up around the back and then out above the insert. The stone fireplace also has vents on both sides so air can enter a opening by the floor and then exit near the top. The creek stones on the fireplace are supposed to capture heat to help heat the house. If you touch the rocks, they can get very hot. The rocks will continue to heat even though the fire might have died down. Until the rocks cool.
I would rather have a insert with a bricks, rope on doors and a fan. Whenever I price a new insert, the sales people tell me that I must line the chimney with stainless steel. This cost more $$$. Maybe I'll just buy another insert and install it myself.
Mystereid- How much wood do you think you used last winter?
Posted by: Coyotechaser
Wow! $225.00 a cord.I can buy a tri-axle load for $300. A cord of wood cost $100.00 around here. (cut & split) It used to cost $90. but they've raised the prices some.
Posted by: ShadyRascal
Natural gas furnace but have a wood stove in the basement which really makes the house cozy and keeps the heat bill within reason.
Posted by: ShadyRascal
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Originally posted by: bogtrotter[/i.
Now if the SUV crowd would all drive more fuel-efficient vehicles, then the price of oil would be lower and we could all use the extra cash for having fun, couldn't we?
For a short while I'm afraid. The action of supply and demand would eventually correct itself, with too much production capability and too-cheap fuel, production would mothball and price would go back to profitable levels.
Posted by: Raptorlegs
My gas bill will hit about $70 in the dead of winter.
It's the $250 electric bill in July and August that kill me!
Posted by: Raptorlegs
Quote
Originally posted by: LEP7MM
we use propane. When the bedroom gets a little cold at night, I'll stick a cold toe up in the "Y" and then the wife gets all fired up. I just have to move fast so I don't get kicked while I'm vulnerable.hr>
What do you do if you get a cold nose?
Posted by: extremerider2811
my dad has a heating and cooling business, the best way to heat a house is in floor heating, its gonna be major to do that to a house that already has some diferent heat source in it but in floor uses hot water from the water heater,, and circulates through out tubes layed out under concrete under the floor, lower costs, but installation prices will cut your head off.
Posted by: Bradracer18
Electric is the only way to go anymore guys........we have been running propane and wood for a long time.....and guys around here are heating their houses(same size) for about 1/3 of the cost.......you have to buy a new furnace or heat pump(don't know all of the particulars yet) but I guess that stuff pays for itself in about 1/2 a winter......I know we are going to change over this winter to electric.
Posted by: Customfabandweld
Electric is insane! Our electric bill is over $250 without using heater or air conditioning. All we have is electric here, so we use our woodburning stove for the living room, or if it's really cold, we'll fire up the fireplace/insert in the family room. Our thermostat is set for 55 degrees during the night
Posted by: Customfabandweld
Do you drive a Prius?
Posted by: RAJ
We just bought a new house, we now have a heat pump. Last year we was renting a 6 bed room farm house. It set on 250 acres. It would cost $800.00 a month to heat it with fuel oil, and the electric bill was $200.00 a month. That place would make you poor quick!
Posted by: thewayout420
we use oil and also have a pellet stove which kicks off some good heat..
Posted by: Cheapass
Electric baseboard heat is main, and a fireplace to back it up. Living where I do, gathering wood is easy and free.. just get a forest woodgathering permit and start chopping.
I could heat the entire house on wood, but that's a lot of work. I just burn the fireplace anytime it gets REALLY cold out. Otherwise the house stays at 60 degrees.
Posted by: Whitewater
Electric? Did someone actually say electric? BR>Put in Natural Gas. Your local utility will finance a furnace and ducting for your house. I live in the mountains in a 2000 ft2 home.... I'm on equal pay so it's $65 a month all year round.
Posted by: vtwinriot
I installed a Hardy wood furnace last year. My place is all electric other than that and my monthly bill is $45. This thing sits outside, is made from stainless steel, and heats the water to 160 degrees before it enters my water heater. No fire is ever in your home (my insurance agent loves that) and the heat is unreal. I can get 140 degree heat (if I want to) at the registers when it is below zero outside. You mount a coil in your existing ductwork and a second T-stat and thats about it.
COST: about $5000
VALUE: priceless
Posted by: MrDumass
Running natural gas in a 1300sq ft house. With the addition of a pot belly wood stove coming soon. May bill has never been over 300 a month for gas,electric,water,and all the other utilites, but I know the gas is never going to come back down, so I'am getting some wood heat. I dont think there is anything better than good old fashion wood fires.
Posted by: RSeb
I've got a geothermal system. It has 3 150ft wells that has a pipe looped through them and the furnace. The furnace has a heat exchanger. This way, the furnace only has to heat the air from 55 degrees (ground temp) instead of starting with the outside air temp.
This is pretty efficient in the winter (especially compared to a heat pump), but the real savings come in during the summer. It blows 55 degree air without an outside unit.
This system was about 5k more than a standard furnace, but we were told it pays for itself in 5 to 8 years and we plan on being here the rest of our lives.
Posted by: RSeb
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Originally posted by: TIC
what system do you have? mine is a water furnace brand with a closed loop system that was installed in 1996 and other than normal stuff its been great! We heat our single story ranch home for no more than 60 to 80 dollars a month and cool it for about 30 to 70 a month, it also heats our hot water. and this is total amount , our home is all electric. However a couple of kerosene heaters are in the garage just in case the power fails.
It sounds like our systems are pretty similar. I don't remember the brand or the furnace, but the technology is the same closed loop system. We built our house in '97. It's about 2500 Ft^2, 1.5 stories and all electric also. Our electric bills are a bit higher then your's though. Our's range from about 60 to around 130. But it seems like my wife is running the danged dryer and vacuum all the time (two small kids).
We went with the wells for the loop, but I also know a guy that looped his through a pond. I can't imagine that working as well, but I guess it does.
We have ours looped through the hot water heater too. I don't understand the physics of the heat exchanger, but it works pretty well.
RSeb
Posted by: RSeb
Quote
Originally posted by: TIC
This little trick took me 5 years to finally figure out when our service man came for the yearly check.
He asked me if I had been just "turning off my hot water heater in the summer while the air was running" I said no i had not. He said for greatest efficency and ease on the unit.... it will run much better if you let your hot water heater take all the heat instead of the unit doing extra work putting the heat back inthe ground. So now along about july when it gets hot and I turn on the ac... I just kick the breaker to my water heater and let it totally heat my water... and it will. Good luck with that tip
Thanks for the tip, I'll try it next summer. I'm curious though, by that logic, it would make since to close the loop valves going to the hot water in the winter. Do you do that?
Thanks
Posted by: bogtrotter
Being a volunteer fireman and living in Canada, the subject of home heating is quite interesting. Wood heat is certainly the cheapest way to go, but also the most risky. Of the fires I fight, about 60% are caused by failure to maintain the chimney, especially the cleaning of the flue pipes. Accumulated creosote can cause a really bad fire, especially if you do not have a metal insert in the older masonry chimneys. Wood is very expensive in terms of labour time and the dirt and dust are a nuisance too. If you can afford it, the most efficient way is the heat pump. Fuel oil, which I use costs about 2.70 Canadian dollars per imperial gallon right now, which is 1.90 per US gal in US dollars. I burn about 500 US gallons per year, or about 1100 US dollars worth. It is quite expensive, but all in all, I prefer it to the hassle of wood heat. If I burned wood, supplied as cut, split hardwood, it would take about 7 cords of 148 cu ft per cord. That is about 14 tons of wood and it would cost me about 175 Canadian dollars per cord, delivered as cut and split. About 1300 canadian dollars a year, which is about 1000 US dollars, give or take. Not much of a saving for all the hassle and the work, plus the need for a shed and the other equipment needed. The killer difference in the economy of wood heat is the extra cost for fire insurance, which is about 400 more dollars per year than for oil. And that is a fair extra charge, based on my fire department experience with wood-fired homes. When I was younger, I went and gathered and cut and split my firewood, but that ate about 10 solid days of really hard work every year, plus an overhaul for my chainsaw, and the gas for my truck to haul it. It would cost me about 80 dollars a cord that way, hand split and stacked, but the savings in cash were nothing compared to the labor. I figure that my time was worth about 2 bucks an hour in the savings gained for gathered wood. The hell with it, it is way easier and not much more expensive to burn oil. Electric baseboard heat is so expensive that it is a non-starter, about 140% of the cost of oil heat.
Now if the SUV crowd would all drive more fuel-efficient vehicles, then the price of oil would be lower and we could all use the extra cash for having fun, couldn't we?
Posted by: PolarisIce
I used to use 1200 gallons a year to heat my 1700 square foot ranch. Bought a Buderis Furnace with a 42 gallon hot water tank below. This unit has a circulator that constantly circulates the hot water through the pipes (about 192 gallons of water). Never run out of hot water, use 700 gallons of oil a year. The house stays a constant temperature in every room. The furnace is quiet as a church mouse. The oil burner service man loves it because when he comes to clean it, the whole front opens up to clean areas a conventional furnace will not allow you to clean. The thing is 6 years old now and the last efficiency rating was 88%. Because of the circulation, it runs about half as much as it used to, maintains constant heat much better. The unit comes with an electronic unit that you can shut off automatically when you leave for work, turns it on an hour before you come home. Can set for 2-7 day vacation, where it will shut off for 2-7 days, turn itself on the day you are coming home, so the house is warm when you come home. The diagnostic unit has a phone modem in it so that the technician can dial in to the system to see what the error is (oh, yeah, I have not had to use this feature yet). The thing is German built (think Mercedes) as far as dependability. The unit cost me 12% more than a conventional furnace, installed. It paid for itself 4 years ago, with the gallon savings. As far as going with gas, they all have their benefits, but you need to weigh in the cost of converting from oil to gas. If I had to cut wood, I'd have no time to ride my Polaris. How much fun would that be? I don't feel like coming home from a long day of riding to flick on my light switch and have the house explode. Gas prices in NH are not that far from oil prices. My Buderis is like a Polaris....Dependable, awesome styling, keeps me warm all over. Oil.... the other way out.
Posted by: PolarisIce
OH, yeah....the next time you complain about the price of oil or gasoline, take a look at the price of that big SUV or truck you just bought. If you hadn't paid $40,000 plus for your rig, you'd be able to afford the gasoline and home heating oil.... just my thought.
Posted by: spyder6
1000 gallon propane tank, 5600sq feet (dont ask i didnt buy it)
