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install windmill and convert from oil burner furnace to electric keithwolf 05-29-2008
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Posted by on May 29, 2008, 8:37 am
I'm no engineer but here's my question;
we have a log home, approx 3,500 sq ft in PA, we have a great location
for a windmill and I'm seriously considering installing a windmill
that can augment and hopefully replace most of my oil usage.
the oil burner feeds a hot water baseboard system with 7 zones. We
use the zones to heat only what we need but it's still getting
expensive.
I'm not looking to necessarily come out ahead, breaking even on the
installation of a windmill over 10 to 15 years and sending less $$ to
the Middle East would be very satisfying to me.

Are there ways to convert the oil burner to electric, from some of the
other postings that does not look feasible.
Would it be better to put some large electric heater in the basement
with heat rising throughout the house to reduce oil usage?
Installing all electric baseboard is probably not feasible in a log
home, wiring would be difficult and I don't think I have the capacity
in the existing electric panel.

Any advice is appreciated.
Keith Wolf
Northeast PA

Posted by ransley on May 29, 2008, 9:56 am
On May 29, 7:37=A0am, keithw...@pcci.net wrote:
> I'm no engineer but here's my question;
> we have a log home, approx 3,500 sq ft in PA, we have a great location
> for a windmill and I'm seriously considering installing a windmill
> that can augment and hopefully replace most of my oil usage.
> the oil burner feeds a hot water baseboard system with 7 zones. =A0 We
> use the zones to heat only what we need but it's still getting
> expensive.
> I'm not looking to necessarily come out ahead, breaking even on the
> installation of a windmill over 10 to 15 years and sending less $$ to
> the Middle East would be very satisfying to me.
>
> Are there ways to convert the oil burner to electric, from some of the
> other postings that does not look feasible.
> Would it be better to put some large electric heater in the basement
> with heat rising throughout the house to reduce oil usage?
> Installing all electric baseboard is probably not feasible in a log
> home, wiring would be difficult and I don't think I have the capacity
> in the existing electric panel.
>
> Any advice is appreciated.
> Keith Wolf
> Northeast PA

I would sell the power back to the grid if they allow it first or you
will need batteries and an inverter.

Posted by ---MIKE--- on May 29, 2008, 10:39 am
15 years ago oil was about $.80 a gallon so it was more cost effective
than electric heat. Now, with oil over $4.00 a gallon it would seem
that electric heat (electricity hasn't gone up all that much) would
make sense. I am thinking of buying several portable electric heaters
to supplement my furnace next winter.


---MIKE---
>>In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
>> (44=B0 15' N - Elevation 1580')


Posted by on May 29, 2008, 11:19 am
On May 29, 10:39=A0am, twinmount...@webtv.net (---MIKE---) wrote:
> 15 years ago oil was about $.80 a gallon so it was more cost effective
> than electric heat. =A0Now, with oil over $4.00 a gallon it would seem
> that electric heat (electricity =A0hasn't gone up all that much) would
> make sense. =A0I am thinking of buying several portable electric heaters
> to supplement my furnace next winter. =A0
>
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 ---MIKE--->>In the White Mountains of =
New Hampshire
>
> =A0>> (44=B0 15' =A0N - Elevation 1580')


I'd start by investigating the cost of the windmill part of the
equation. There was an article in the local paper about windmill
sizes, height, etc. As I recall, a modest size generator producing
around 6KW, needed about a 25+ ft diameter blade and was typicall
mounted on a 100 ft tower. That doesn't sound too practical to me.
But I'm sure you can find cost and other info online. And find out
about how much money you can get by selling power back to your
utility. Then you can estimate the economics of the generation part
of the equation.

On the furnace side, I'd say you'd want to put an electrically heated
boiler in parallel with the existing furnace. That way, when the wind
isn't blowing, you could use oil. Putting simple electric heaters in
the basement and hoping that heat will rise is a non-starter. Most
of the heat will be lost in the basement.

Posted by zzyzzx on May 29, 2008, 10:50 am
You can't convert an oil furnace, you have to replace it.

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