Could Be the Break Out Year for Natural Gas Prices

They both use secret formulas. Farmers’ Almanac is published about 30 miles from me, and the secret has not slipped out yet, or at least not to anyone I

I predict the weather in Maine this winter will be cold.... now I am an expert.

It's going to be a cold winter this year.
The thing to do is to be able to live without electricity for extended periods of time. It's that simple. Not after what I witnessed during Sandy. Too many, stupid, short sighted people with a normalcy bias. I'm not fighting with them down at the gas station for the last drop to run my little generator.
These issues will soon become more than a subject for academic chit chat. The grid is no longer able to carry the load at all times and it's only growing less reliable.

http://www.offthegridnews.com/2014/04/18/blackout ... d-in-2013/

Must be that global warming we've been hearing Al Gore and all those ex-spurts talkin' bout.

That's why I'm switching to coal from LP... and I feel downright patriotic for doing it too...

wsherrick wrote:The thing to do is to be able to live without electricity for extended periods of time.

Gas stove. Check.
Hand-fed coal stove. Check.
Propane lanterns. Check.
Water. Water??? Deep well with a pump 200 feet down. I have considered tapping into the feed pipe in the cellar with a shallow-well suction pump. But nobody seems to know whether the check valve in the deep-well pump will allow water to be sucked through it.

How much lift does the water require...or what is the static water level?

Your genny not able to do 240 volt for the submersible?

Oh wait, you talking hand pump?

McGiever wrote:Your genny not able to do 240 volt for the submersible?

No generator.

McGiever wrote:Oh wait, you talking hand pump?

Yes, hand pump, which in theory would work if the water in the well is within 32 feet of the ground level (I still need to check on that, but it probably is). I believe there are hand pumps that mount on top of the well casing, but that would be a pain in winter.

I think the hand pumps drain back too and use a check valve if wanted. I'd do it in a heart beat if my water was close enough to the surface. Why not? thats a better question then why.

They make deep well hand pumps also, so no need to restrict things to 27 feet.

My house is located near the Fall Line where the Poconos drop off into the Delaware Valley. There are rushing streams and deep water springs all over. I have plenty of water. I just have to be able to purify it if necessary.

Here ya go: http://americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php? ... 25&t=36709

Brand new member here! Speaking of natural gas prices, I just called peoples gas and tried to get an idea of the cost of gas vs. rice coal in my area. I asked them for a price quote per MCF delivered with all the taxes fees and delivery charges. The lady was super rude and beat around the bush for a while before telling me she could not answer my question. Hmmm...I can't get a gas price from the gas company! So if anyone knows how much gas costs in central PA (Altoona or Johnstown) please tell me. I'm trying to make an informed decision about how to heat my house this winter. I might just go with coal based on attitude alone. The local coal supplier was a straight shooter with all the answers and a nice guy too.

grinderdust wrote:Brand new member here! Speaking of natural gas prices, I just called peoples gas and tried to get an idea of the cost of gas vs. rice coal in my area. I asked them for a price quote per MCF delivered with all the taxes fees and delivery charges. The lady was super rude and beat around the bush for a while before telling me she could not answer my question. Hmmm...I can't get a gas price from the gas company! So if anyone knows how much gas costs in central PA (Altoona or Johnstown) please tell me. I'm trying to make an informed decision about how to heat my house this winter. I might just go with coal based on attitude alone. The local coal supplier was a straight shooter with all the answers and a nice guy too.

All such questions are easily solved by perspective.
In this case; a ton of coal already paid for in hand is much better than the future therm in the gas main regardless of what it may cost.

Once you understand that when you can look at your fuel supply, realize it's yours; it's paid for and secure. Your mind can then budget for other matters without worry, then you will have gotten the concept.

It's good to live in a town that was set up long before electricity came along, and is still set up to deal with long power outages. It can get one caught up in the same mind set.

Our town has a few million gallon water reservoir that is over a couple hundred feet higher up in the hills than the town. Feeds the hydrants and the water purification plant with plenty of pressure, which is also set up to run on a Government surplus backup generator power, as is the waste treatment plant, and the fire house.

House was owned by former coal dealers, and has three chimneys - one of which is a fireplace with cooking crane.

Plenty of space in the basement for coal and five coal stoves in various stages of completion.

Gas stove, with pro-pain bottle just filled (about 2-3 years worth) plus a kitchen coal range already set up for cooking, baking, water boiling, clothes drying, etc.

Plenty of antique oil lamps - still operational.

Cell phone car chargers.

A large pantry off the north side of the kitchen with extra freezer stocked full - a few months worth of food.

A small library that would take me a few years to read through most of it.

Power outage ? Good excuse to take some time off from work !!!!

Paul

Some people in Lebanon county,Pa. woke to no heat on Jan.8,2014 ..- 5* outside ,call to natural gas company gave them those words.... "supply line can't keep up with the demand".I personally like the idea of a years supply of coal to look at & use from as needed,rather than to rely on a gas line to supply as needed (if supply is more than the demand .)

I understand that gas and electricity can (and will) go out sometimes. That is why I always keep a wood stove and at least 5 days worth of wood on hand. Believe it or not the gas lady had the opposite philosophy and told me that I might overbuy coal which would lead to an unnecessary expense and burden. Ha Ha. I had to tell her to assume that I would eventually use it and it cost nothing to store. Back to gas prices: I was told (by a different gas rep) that if I use 100 mcf or 103,100,000 BTU over 12 Mo. that my annual bill will be $1,250 based on today's rates. I was told this includes ALL charges. I don't believe it but, based on this it doesn't look like I'll save much for all the work involved in maintaining a stoker. Less than 1/3 according to the fuel comparison calculator. Even less if I am able to afford a high efficiency gas furnace. With a 96% efficient gas furnace and an 80% efficient stoker, I will pay $11.72 per million BTU with coal and $12.63 for gas. Assuming my time is also a valuable resource, and I also have a backup source for emergency, I I don't see the advantage. This also does not take into account that a stoker uses a good bit of electricity (as does a furnace) but I think the stoker will use more. BTW Coal here is $225 a ton + 25 delivery and I'm not looking for peace of mind, I'm just looking to see which furnace to feed this winter.