I live in an older home (1950's) with an dead oil furnace and electric that has yet to be updated. What should I do? Get another oil furnace or have the electric updated and go with an all-electric furnace?
2007-12-30 08:35:13 · 6 answers · asked by kat ambrose 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Cost of fuel is certainly a factor to consider and I have to say that here in Canada, no one would go for electric heat as a replacement. Without getting into too many formulas and variables for fuel efficiency, consider, that at $0.08/Kw-Hr for electricity and $2.00/gal for #2 heating oil, you'll pay about 40% more to heat your home electrically.
Find out your costs for these fuels in your area to compare.
I certainly would consider natural gas as an option, but not Propane - again due to costs up here - but check again in your area.
A second consideration is heat gain - Oil heat has at least an 80 degree heat gain vs about 8 degree for forced air electric. That means that the air you feel coming out of the register on oil heat is about 80 degrees warmer than the ambient room temperature - It just feels cozier.
2007-12-30 16:42:06 · answer #1 · answered by Rob O 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if i were you i would consider natural gas of wood as a fuel, oil prices are on the rise and i dont remember the last time i heard of someone getting a "new" oil furnace, just check prices and see witch is cheaper to run
2007-12-30 18:04:37 · answer #2 · answered by joe a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on were you live and what type of service you have. If natural gas is available in your area I would strongly recommend converting to it.Electric heat depends on your cost per kilowatt hour. Were I live it is about ........15 cents.
Way to expensive for me. Go on line and look for a energy calculator. You can enter your current cost of heating oil as well as what electricity costs you. It will show you your options.
2007-12-30 16:51:24 · answer #3 · answered by hotdogseeksbun 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That depends on your location and utility rates but in general electric will cost less and requires less maintenance. For info about all your options check out my source.
2007-12-30 16:43:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you like the heat oil gives go with a new one, there more efficient now days.
you already have the duct work and tank,
2007-12-30 16:40:58 · answer #5 · answered by William B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't know where you live, but could you consider coal...it is more dirtier than oil, but it will be somewhat cheaper to run
2007-12-30 16:40:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋