Heating System Replacement

[thebix]

The fuel cost table assumes certain fuel cost. But my buying group has oil at 2.70 and propane at 1.70. This makes the propane price per million BTU about $24, almost the same as oil, and only slightly higher than the heat pump. (Natural gas still beats all other choices). It all depends on the actual fuel prices available to the consumer, and I hear electric is about to go up. Now at the 'retail' price for propane for the weekend use ski lodge not using enough for the season to be in a buying plan, it is more expensive. So the debate on oil vs. propane cost is 'it depends on the details and available fuel buying groups'.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by thebix

The fuel cost table assumes certain fuel cost. But my buying group has oil at 2.70 and propane at 1.70. This makes the propane price per million BTU about $24, almost the same as oil, and only slightly higher than the heat pump. (Natural gas still beats all other choices). It all depends on the actual fuel prices available to the consumer, and I hear electric is about to go up. Now at the 'retail' price for propane for the weekend use ski lodge not using enough for the season to be in a buying plan, it is more expensive. So the debate on oil vs. propane cost is 'it depends on the details and available fuel buying groups'.

I agree that the calculation "depends on the actual fuel prices available to the consumer", but your post appears to muddy the water with wholesale prices and natural gas--choices that are not available

[thebix]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I agree that the calculation "depends on the actual fuel prices available to the consumer", but your post appears to muddy the water with wholesale prices and natural gas--choices that are not available

Wholesale prices? That is the price charged to us as via the buying group. There are many such groups available,including the Our Town Energy Alliance (OTEA) that is available to anybody that joins the group. Why would anybody pay the off the truck full retail when such discounts are common. Natural gas - certainly its availability is more limited, but there are areas in the Lakes region with NG. It is in the energy cost table linked to so worth mentioning. My point is that the claim that propane is more expensive than oil is not necessarily the case. Also, when I converted to propane in 2009 one consideration for me was the volatility of prices - propane seemed to be more stable than oil