Propane Ripoff

I can't stand propane and Suburban is the MAIN reason. It's also expensive. That's why I'm looking deeply in these forums because I want push away from propane. I'll keep the tank, in case of an emergency, but I want the independence with a coal furnace. I can shop around for the coal. FREEDOM.

I have plenty of room in the basement and the duct work is right there. The house is around 2400sqft with 2 floors and master bedroom loft.

poconoman wrote:I'll keep the tank, in case of an emergency

Not if you hang around here very long.

Welcome aboard!

When I moved into my new home I was shocked at the cost of heating with propane compared to the cost of coal so I had a coal furnace installed in parallel with my existing propane furnace. The propane furnace is controlled by a separate thermostat and will come on if the house temperature drops too much. Most of the time the coal furnace provides the all the heat with the propane being used when I am away from home more than a few days. Let me know if you would like to see some pictures of my set up. Most of the important stuff is in the wiring.

wlape3 wrote:Let me know if you would like to see some pictures of my set up. Most of the important stuff is in the wiring.

Of Course! Pictures are great, just start a new thread.

wlape3 wrote:When I moved into my new home I was shocked at the cost of heating with propane compared to the cost of coal so I had a coal furnace installed in parallel with my existing propane furnace. The propane furnace is controlled by a separate thermostat and will come on if the house temperature drops too much. Most of the time the coal furnace provides the all the heat with the propane being used when I am away from home more than a few days. Let me know if you would like to see some pictures of my set up. Most of the important stuff is in the wiring.

SURE!! I'm actually looking into the Alaska 140!

OK. I'll take some pictures and post in a separate thread. I'' PM you when it's available. Probably tonight or tomorrow night depending on my honey-do list.

I've tolerated Suburban for the last 4 years (Since I bought this place) but no more. I called monday to price a delivery only to find out their price was $3.79/gallon COD. Called another supplier that everyone nearby is happy with, they've been in business many years, yada yada to find their price was $1.79/gallon COD. Gave them my information over the phone, they said they'd be out in less than 10 days to set a new tank. They called yesterday (Thursday) and were here at 9:00 this morning, set the tank, put the propane in, I gave them a check and saved several hundred dollars. As long as Suburban was only gouging me a few cents on the gallon I paid to avoid the inconvenience of switching, $2/gallon was more gouging than I could stand. How do some folks sleep at night?

I hate Suburban with a passion! If I'm able to buy out their 500gl tank and have the freedom to choose a supplier, I'll be a much happier camper. But, my first goal is to do a ton of research and get me a whole house coal furnace. Once that's done, I can go to phase two and get rid of Suburban!

30.06 gets rid of those tanks jiffy quick

Well I ran out of propane this morning! O well I haven't even thought about it since the spring. Time to load my 100 lb tank in the truck and go spend $60.

Thanks for the reminder I need to do the same with the 100# tank today. Just a stove and dryer for the use. A BBQ tank lasts us about 3 weeks.

My friend tells me Suburban sucks here too. Dealt with them in PA and was not entirely satisfied but propane was a lot cheaper then. I deal with a local distributor who is more reasonable.

My propane use is only 200 gallons a year to run my stove, clothes dryer, hot water tank, and occaisionally the furnace. This year I installed my own 100 gal tank. With a usage of only 200 gallons a year they were charging me $3.19 a gal. With my own tank it dropped to $1.99 a gal and it will pay for itself in 4 years. After that it's all gravey.

Got a letter from "Abandoned Property Services, LLC", in the letter is an indication about a check issued to me from Suburban Propain in 2008 for $200+ dollars-that was never cashed. I guess that's my refund for the gas that was in the tank. They wanted the form returned, I have to indicate if I want a replacement check issued. DUH. Also they wanted to know if I have the "stale check" in my possession.

What a coincidence...I was reading this thread this morning after getting a bill from Suburban for 4.95 per gallon, plus fees! They are done!! I just called a local gas company and was quoted $3.65 per gallon for my small usage, and no tank rental fee. Sounds good to me.

Holy cow!!! Finally got the check from "Suburban Heating Oil Partners, LLC" for $208.09!! I'm rich!!
Took them long enough.