Oil (heating) - thy name is expensive!
Last year, I didn't get onto a budget plan as moved into the house back in October. Fortunately, it came with a 3/4 full tank. Bought the minimum (150 gal/delivery), ran out once, and by the end of the season, I will need a new blower for the furnace come this Fall.
(3.68-3.85/gal * 150) * 3 = a lot of money last Winter. But, guess it is not enough for this heating season. :( ($5/gal * 150 would equal $750! Filling the tank (275 gal standard size) would be 1350, if we are lucky and it is only $5.00/gal. I look at rising diesel costs, and shake my head knowing heating fuel costs are just a little lower per gallon. I didn't fill it last year when it would have "only" cost 1050 each time.
My mom recently paid 4.46/gal when they topped her tank off (94 gal. in May). They won't be back till the Fall again. She has been with this company and on a budget plan for years. Her oil company just mentioned yesterday that the budget plan will probably be 450/month! - subject to pricing later this year when they finalize it!! Ouch!!! Got to find out what she was paying last year.
I'm paying 400/mo. now for gasoline. (120 mi. daily commute * 4) + (friends/anything being at least 1 hour from me). ~ 30,000 mi/yr. on the car has been my norm even before now. Can't cut that cost down much, and it might rise if the Senate passes Lieberman-Warner now, or any other "global warming initiative" with the next administration in 2009.
I have a chimney and took out an old woodstove that didn't meet code when I moved in. I'd like something that I can run during the day when I'm not in the house to keep it around 55-60, and not burn expensive oil. Some night, like yesterday, I didn't leave work till 2:30 am, so I need something that is self-maintaining. I'm thinking a pelt stove might help cut heating costs. Talked briefly to some about it a few months back. Just wondering if anyone has experience with them, and what is a reasonable cost for a stove, and for pellets (per bag/ton I guess).
I'll probably swing by a wood stove place and a gas station that I know sells pellets to get an idea on their prices. But, interested in knowledge outside of their potential marketing angle. Are they practical to heat the house (1680 sq feet, well 840 if I don't heat the upstairs and live on the first floor this winter). Or, are they not practical when attempting to heat a large space because of the/size of the one you would need?
Thanks for your collective wisdom and insight.
- Pup.
(3.68-3.85/gal * 150) * 3 = a lot of money last Winter. But, guess it is not enough for this heating season. :( ($5/gal * 150 would equal $750! Filling the tank (275 gal standard size) would be 1350, if we are lucky and it is only $5.00/gal. I look at rising diesel costs, and shake my head knowing heating fuel costs are just a little lower per gallon. I didn't fill it last year when it would have "only" cost 1050 each time.
My mom recently paid 4.46/gal when they topped her tank off (94 gal. in May). They won't be back till the Fall again. She has been with this company and on a budget plan for years. Her oil company just mentioned yesterday that the budget plan will probably be 450/month! - subject to pricing later this year when they finalize it!! Ouch!!! Got to find out what she was paying last year.
I'm paying 400/mo. now for gasoline. (120 mi. daily commute * 4) + (friends/anything being at least 1 hour from me). ~ 30,000 mi/yr. on the car has been my norm even before now. Can't cut that cost down much, and it might rise if the Senate passes Lieberman-Warner now, or any other "global warming initiative" with the next administration in 2009.
I have a chimney and took out an old woodstove that didn't meet code when I moved in. I'd like something that I can run during the day when I'm not in the house to keep it around 55-60, and not burn expensive oil. Some night, like yesterday, I didn't leave work till 2:30 am, so I need something that is self-maintaining. I'm thinking a pelt stove might help cut heating costs. Talked briefly to some about it a few months back. Just wondering if anyone has experience with them, and what is a reasonable cost for a stove, and for pellets (per bag/ton I guess).
I'll probably swing by a wood stove place and a gas station that I know sells pellets to get an idea on their prices. But, interested in knowledge outside of their potential marketing angle. Are they practical to heat the house (1680 sq feet, well 840 if I don't heat the upstairs and live on the first floor this winter). Or, are they not practical when attempting to heat a large space because of the/size of the one you would need?
Thanks for your collective wisdom and insight.
- Pup.