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Posted by ransley on May 30, 2008, 10:18 pm
wrote:
>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
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> > My 3000+ sq ft (incl basement) house has two-zone heating/cooling, with =
an
> > oil furnace and air conditioner for the basement and first floor, and a
> > heat
> > pump for the upstairs.
>
> > I bought the house three years ago, when oil was less than $2.00 per
> > gallon.
>
> > Due to the high cost of oil, I called the oil company about budget billi=
ng
> > (same price every month), and was told they are using $4.50 per gallon a=
s
> > a
> > planning number for next heating season, and said I use about 280 gallon=
s
> > per heating season.
>
> > Also, I live in Maryland where the local utility company was deregulated=
> > and
> > for the first time in 15 years, was able to raise rates last year. They
> > claimed it was a 50% increase. I don't see how a jump from about $150 to=
> > $300 per month is 50%. That's 100%. With oil heat on the first floor, my=
> > annual monthly average use is about 2400 kWh per month.
>
> > Where I live there is no natural gas available.
>
> > I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but is it worth an
> > investment
> > for me to switch from oil and a/c for the basement and first floor to a
> > second heat pump or other energy source? If so, what other factors need =
to
> > be considered, for example will my electric panel be able to handle two
> > heat
> > pumps? I have neighbors with two heat pumps rather than one plus oil/
> > a/c -
> > that's what the builder installed for them.
>
> > What about a propane tank?
>
> > Finally, my oil tank is full. Would I be better to deplete it over the
> > next
> > winter, then convert?
>
> > What is a typical cost to convert? Will a HVAC company dispose of the oi=
l
> > tank? Any other issues to consider? If this is a viable investment, how
> > long will it take to realize a positive return on the investment?
>
> What is the Kwh cost you now pay, that will determine if a heat pump
> will save you money.
>
> _______________
>
> I mentioned I average $300 at 2400 kWh per month. =A0That's about $0.125 p=
er
> kWh, when including taxes and fees loaded onto the utility's per unit
> cost/kWh.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
=2E125c is fairly cheap, probably cheaper per btu than fuel oil but you
have to calculate the btu of each, boiler efficency and heat pump
output. And when is your utility co alowed another increase.
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