chaning from suppling oil heat to each tenant 24 unit bldg.

Edward A. (Ed) Carey_3

elaine howell

Dear sirs, we want to change from suppling 24 apartment 1 bdrm units from oil heat to electic base board-- so each tenant can pay their own heat They now pay their own electric so we are looking for a way to transfer the cost of suppling heat to the tenants. pro and cons of this method would be appreciated. we would still supply the hot water from main boiler

Al Letellier_9

electric heat

Depending on how expensive the wiring will be, electric heat is efficient but very expensive to operate. Here in Maine, even with the higher costs of fuel oil, electricity is still head and shoulders above all other fuel sources in cost per BTU. Electric heat is 100% efficient and doesn't pollute....at the point of use. It does pollute at the source of production, though.

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Al Letellier_9

electric heat

Depending on how expensive the wiring will be, electric heat is efficient but very expensive to operate. Here in Maine, even with the higher costs of fuel oil, electricity is still head and shoulders above all other fuel sources in cost per BTU. Electric heat is 100% efficient and doesn't pollute....at the point of use. It does pollute at the source of production, though.

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John@Reliable_14

Add a revolving door first, because your turn over of tenants will be quick.
Maybe consider some type of surcharge for fuel costs or rise rents instead.
Over the years I’ve seem any good tenants move due to fuel costs. Even better have "system" checked by a pro to find ways to save fuel dollars, ie: outdoor reset , setback themostats, etc.

Boilerpro_5

Have you checked your other thread for replies? NM



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bruce_21

There are Btu meters in existence as noted in a recent thread discussion here. The meters and installation might be less expensive than upgrading the electric service to 24 apts.

Edward A. (Ed) Carey_3

First question,

My first question would be, will your existing electrical services for the tenants be able to handle the significant additional load of electric heat for the apartments?

Just because they have their own electric meter and individual services, does not mean that those services are large enough for the addition of electric heat.

If they will not, you must consider the investment that YOU must make to upgrade the electrical, then also to add the electric heat to each apartment, and to remove the existing system.

It may not be cost effective (ROI) to do the conversion to electric, even with the high cost of fuels today.

You may find that upgrading your existing system to a much more efficient system will save enough to make the difference.

Just a thought,

Ed Carey

scrook_2

metering issues?

But does your state Dept of Utilities and/or Weights & Measures require traceable calibration and particular accuracy limits on the energy meters used (as is common for potable water, nateral gas, district steam, and electric meters, also fuel oil & propane truck meters, gasoline & diesel fuel pumps, etc., etc.)? This might be expensive.

If you already have the existing electric or natural gas services for each individual apartment (and individual boilers/furnaces/heatpumps/etc.) it may be easier, for the regulatory burden falls on the utility, not you. Just other details to consider.