Would propane addition be good? switch completely to $ oil $ There are 2 fireplaces but do not want to get into wood stoves, because this was my inlaws house and i rent it out and don't want the tennants burning it down.. My husband was going to handle this but just died suddenly of cancer. I know I dont HAVE to upgrade, tennants pay for heat, but I can deduct cost of upgrade on taxes and make the house more attractive to potential tennants (winter heating costs top 800/month!) its about 2500 sq. feet.
ONE MORE THING since I still have 400 characters :-) What kind of caulk should I use (A)around outside doors and (B) around the bathtub surround? 2 different types? Thanks in advance, look for more queries in future!!
2006-08-22 04:20:55 · 11 answers · asked by git along gal 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
ps I live in Massachusetts, gets 80 to 90 in summer, as low as -20 below 0 in winter. gets quite cold!
2006-08-22 04:37:07 · update #1
Lot of questions here but let's see if this helps. Going with natural gas if you have opportunity is the best route. Oil is definitley not cheaper than eletric. If you live in a warmer climate you could try a heat pump however if you have heat pump you will still need to install an air handling unit for your air conditioner. If you go with propane or natural gas you could install a boiler system with radiant or in floor heat. We put in a boiler in a first home it was built in 1947 and we found that it was great because you never had cold spots in the house everything was toasty. But agin if you install a boiler you need an air handling unit for your a/c. You can use a water heater for in floor heat but it is not as efficent as a boiler. We also found that are utilites with the bioler were about 70% less than the gas furnace. I would suggest that you talk to a couple of heating contractors and tell them these are the items you are looking for and have them give you a quote and then compare the gas, propane, heat pump and boiler options and decide which is the economical for you.
Look at you windows and doors caulking is a could thing however, if they are really bad you may want to consider replacing them. I would you a silcone exterior caulk for the outside and inside arounf the windows and flexible paintable caulk.
For your tub surround They have caulk made for tubs and tiles. Make sure that it is waterproof and paintable.
Goof Luck.
2006-08-22 04:47:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didnt say where the house is. A heat pump is good where below zero doesnt happen much. Where it is very cold though the auxillary heat would always be on and it would be expensive.
Solar has some potential but requires knowledge. Retrofit is inferior to designed in and again climate makes a difference.
Historically natural gas is cheaper than propane and propane is half the price of electric. I have never used oil but when using liquid fuel you need to look at 2 things.
1. furnace efficiency
2.BTU per gallon so you actually compare BTU per dollar. Propane may cost less per gallon but what is the cost of the heat.
Be sure to block the fireplace chimneys as lots of warm air goes up them otherwise.
As for insulation that also has much misinformation. People think R30 ceiling and R19 wall is lots of insulation yet in California that is the MINIMUM accepted in new construction. Amory Lovins (Google him) built a house in Snowmass Colorado where below zero is common and the house heats itself just from the occupants and appliances. He used the latest technology on air-heat exchangers so the air in the house is fresh too.
You use bathtub caulk around the tub (silicone).
For other caulk there are various types and life. Ask the people at Lowes or Home Depot for a rundown. There is lots of info on the web too that is on gvt websites so not selling something. Basically you want something with enough stretch to accommodate movement of the house with temperature changes. Silicone is good but expensive. I used 12 year latex on mine but silicone where water is involved.
2006-08-22 04:30:28 · answer #2 · answered by Kirk M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check with local gas companies some are "giving" away free boilers if you convert to natural gas. Also if the place is being rented why are they not paying the electric bill? I prefer oil hot water heat for its long term cost savings but for convenient cheap heat natural gas is the way to go. Propane is more money to run then oil but requires less up keep.
Phenol caulk works well but is pricey.
Ac is not needed in the north east in my humble opinion. and is just an expense you do not need.
2006-08-22 12:23:56 · answer #3 · answered by cgandboys 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I Install and service heating equipement for a living. First of all Oil heat gives you the most BTU per therm, second propane, third natural gas. Oil is still the cheapest and the hottest you can get however you must have annual maintanance on these heaters. Gas, propane, and electric have low maintanance. In Philadelphia if you rent and you have gas in your house and the tenants dont pay your are respocible because they will put a lean on the property. Electric is the most expensive and if you live in the north it wont heat your house properly. Go with Oil or Propane so your tentants are responcible for their own comfort.
2006-08-22 07:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by PHILLYGUY 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may need to update heating system to be more efficent, I don't know if natural gas is a option or not, but the last I heard even natural gas is up to $8,12 a cubic foot. Fuel oil does put out more heat but oil prices are also up and I don't forsee the prices coming down. Is the house well inuslated??? Side walls attic etc. Are the windows in good shape?There are also some heaters that are quite efficent for supplemental heat, the web site is www.portablefurnace.com, some friends of ours bought two of these heaters last year and they love them. Good luck in your choice. Fuel cost are getting outrageous and I know that your area gets cold. We just moved to Tennessee from Indiana and we got bombarded with alot of cold weather and snow there as well, but we heated with wood for over 30 years.
2006-08-22 08:18:37 · answer #5 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With the cost of oil, electric is probably your best bet still. Drafts coming in through loose fitting windows and doors kill you on your electric bills. You may want to consider replacing windows with better insulated ones.
You want to go with a silicone caulk in both places. It is the most weather resistant. Go around the house and caulk around all the door and window frames while it is warm out. It will save you a surprising amount of money on heating and cooling costs.
2006-08-22 04:30:50 · answer #6 · answered by Biskit 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I found a good solution was a kerosene heater. Cost effective. You should keep the thermostat at a proper setting. It costs more to heat up the whole house every time instead of keeping it warm.
2016-03-27 01:08:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electric is more effecient and gives you even heat and a/c throughout the house. It's cleaner and easier to maintain and no fear of explosions or leakage. My home in Mass. was all electric and my home here in Fl. is all electric. Will be easier to sell when the time comes also.
So sorry for your loss.........I lost my husband in 1964. You have to be strong and just think about the good memories you have in your heart.
~~~Debby~~~
2006-08-22 04:35:37 · answer #8 · answered by tictoc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with oil.
You can use the same caulk for both outside doors as well as bathtub.
2006-08-22 04:30:05 · answer #9 · answered by whymewhynow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have natural gas in the area go that way. I did and wow a big savings.
2006-08-22 04:28:31 · answer #10 · answered by cowboygene2u 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋