fuel cost anaylsis

hothead

As a contractor who wants to give my customer or potential customer an accurate,or close to that,evaulation of fuel costs and or fuel savings over existing fuel and equipment, I'm looking for a software program that allows the user to enter data for boilers, heat pumps,etc. with the variables of all fuels available:oil, electric, propane and natural gas. Also different models with differing rated efficiencies.
The program NORA has developed looks promising is called FSA is for oil only as the fuel choice.I will be using that where we can help the customer stay with oil and make changes in their system to reduce fuel usage. However as an HVAC contractor I have to be able to make a fair comparison when asked "what if". With oil over 3.00 propane 4.00 and natural gas at 15.00, Electric at 10c per KW is, if only temorary (who can be sure), alluring.
Please inform us of what is available and your experience if any . Also advise on ARGO boilers.

STEVEN MARKS

try this

Brad White

Siggy

Contact john Siegenthaler at Hydronicpros.com.

He has a program called Hydronic Design Studio that has what you are looking for among a good number of other program modules. Check it out.

STEVEN MARKS

Steve Ebels_3

Helsel

That's a familiar name up here in these parts of Michigan. Lot's of good friends in that tribe. No idea if you're related.

I downloaded an excellent fuel cost comparator from a US gov't website. I think it was eia.gov or something like that. It's an Excel file that you can load current fuel prices for everything from coal and wood to KW along with appliance efficiency ratings for all types including GSHP's.

Copy and paste the address below and it should get you there. Hope this helps.

www.eia.doe.gov/neic/experts/heatcalc.xls

John Faust

A free program designed mainly for solar does have a cost analysis module. A little difficult to use - it takes some learning time. You can find it at RETscreen.net