How much extra electricity vs. oil?

Just a little late to respond to this one, but here's what I'll mention...some electric utility companies will opt during deep snow times to do an "Estimated" meter reading rather than subject the meter reader personnel to trudging from home to home gathering all those readings.

The "Estimated" meter reading are not done in a haphazard way, it's based on two things, customer's past usage and the recent monthly "degree-day" formula of the customer service area.

What this means is, that any recent changes within a household will be unknown till two things happen...the new usage patten is realized in respect to the prior changing monthly 'degree days" and an "Actual" meter reading has been taken.

In any event the next "Actual" meter reading will be adjusted to be up to date w/ what was either over or under charged prior.

In other words...don't panic when the next few bills after a major heating system change doesn't reflect your expectations...especially in the winter heating months. But it will all work out eventually.

Our bills here will indicate whether it was "Estimated" or "Actual" .

I got a first hand lesson back in the mid 90's with "estimated" electric bills. When the meter guy finally got to the meter & read it, I got a bill for $450!! Back then that was over 2 weeks pay for me - might as well have been 4 million!

Was because the heat pump outside was frigged up ... so it would go into "emergency" heat mode ... which is 100% electric.

Yes, "estimated" bills can come in higher or lower...depends on which way the change was from the "past normal" pattern.

But, it all does catch up when an "actual" reading is done.

The fellow who's bill still went up when he thought it would go down will really be miffed later when his billing catches up and the coal was off and now his bill goes down. Who's going to explain that to him.