Looking at the Numbers

 
lobsterman
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Post by lobsterman » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 4:28 pm

Yep, I just payed 425 (was paying 300 but that supply dried up). Oil has always been an expensive way to heat. Oil in MA this week averages at 2.07 / g so that is equal to 425 / ton coal. NG is half the cost of oil. BTW oil was 3.07 /g average one year ago and we could go back there in a heartbeat.

 
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deepwoods
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Post by deepwoods » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 4:46 pm

Richard S. wrote:
joeq wrote:Most here probably won't want to hear this, but if the gas is cheaper, why not just crank up the thermostat, and leave the stoves off? :oops:
Most people that use coal do not have access to gas, secondly I've seen this movie before. ;)
Exactly! All I have beyond coal is propane @ $3.49/gal delivered on 10-30-15. I use it for range, hot water and dryer thus I am a minimum user and pay the penalty pricewise for not spending $3,000 a year by running total propane. Thanks but no thanks :mad:

 
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joeq
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Post by joeq » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 5:00 pm

LOL. I knew I'ld strike a nerve with that comment. Hey, I'm burning coal too, when oil is "almost" as cheap, if I keep my thermostat at 68°. If I put my stat up tp 70°+, then coal would definitely be cheaper. What was saying, is the OP said NG was cheaper than coal, but he uses the coal to warm up the sitting rooms. If NG is that much cheaper lobsterman, could you crank up on "your" thermostat, and warm the same rooms up? Or (like me) will that put your bill over the edge?

 
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lsayre
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Post by lsayre » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 5:44 pm

I just calculated that to yield 1 million BTUH of output it takes the following:

1) 8.36 gallons of #2 heating oil at 87% efficiency. (which takes a very modern appliance)

2) 117 lbs.of anthracite at 70% efficiency.

Looking at it an easier way:

14 lbs. anthracite = 1 gallon #2 heating oil

For my case the break even point is about $1.90/gal. for heating oil #2.


 
lobsterman
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Post by lobsterman » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 5:49 pm

63roundbadge wrote:At 220/ton for pea, oil would have to be 1.10/gallon to make it worthwhile according to this chart.

http://www.alternateheatingsystems.com/support/compare-fuels.html
The table reminds me of a % key on a calculator. Summary:
40 lbs anthracite = 5 therms NG = 3.6 gal heating oil = 5.5 g of propane = 147 kWh
Now you can put in your costs to see where you stand at your local prices.
For the example of Deepwoods, his cost of propane is the same cost as $19 a bag for coal or $950 per ton. Ouch! But incidentally not as expensive as electricity costs in MA which would weigh in at $1700 per ton of coal equivalent. Double-ouch!!

Joeq-- I have 3 zones for NG. If I only ran the zone which contains the coal stove and not burn coal, I would still heat more of the house than I need to. You are asking about the cost to do that. I can only guess looking at gas usage from pre-coal days that it would probably be a wash. But I like the way the heat is distributed so there are no plans to eliminate coal in this house.

 
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joeq
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Post by joeq » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 6:08 pm

"Plus", you get to play with your stoves. :D

 
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TLC lover
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Post by TLC lover » Thu. Feb. 18, 2016 10:01 pm

I like playin wit my stove :oops: :oops:

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