Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Propane compared to Oil?

steve_29
steve_29 Member Posts: 185
Unless of course you install a System 2000 according to Brookhaven it is more efficient than modulating condensing gas boilers.

Comments

  • joseph_3
    joseph_3 Member Posts: 3
    Oil to Propane Conversion-is it worth it?

    I am just trying to see if it is worth it to change from heating oil to propane? Could someone please give me some idea of what to do? I got killed with oil costs this year just like alot of other people!!!!
    thanks
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,563
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
  • Ken D.
    Ken D. Member Posts: 836
    Oil-Propane

    Propane is made from the same stuff as fuel oil, so the prices generally follow each other. A 90% plus furnace or boiler with propane is where you can save.
  • Steve Ebels_3
    Steve Ebels_3 Member Posts: 1,291
    Here's another good comparator

    From the energy information agency of our dear federal gubmint'. It allows you to input local prices and efficiency of the appliances. Works good.

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

    That being said, you'll find that if #2 oil is at $4/gallon you have to buy your propane at around $2.60 or less to come out the same in cost per MMbtu
  • Cost vs BtuH not per Gallon

    Joe,

    Besides efficiency you have to look at output.

    Most oil boilers today are running 86% eff. Unless you are going condensing you probably will not be over 84% eff with propane.

    WIth tha in mind, lets look at the heat you can actually get out of each. One gallon on #2 fuel oil will produce 139,000btu, one gallon of propane will produce 91,800btu. Or 51% less then oil. So unless you are buying LP at 1/2 the price of oil you are in a no gain position.

    This of course is not taking into account the cost of a conversion burner, cost of install, cost of a buried tank, cost of removing the oil tank, cost of cleaning the chimney, etc etc.

    Hope this helps,

    Steve
    aka wheels
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    i do not know where you live ...

    for now burning up coal wood nat gas propane fueloil are more of the same..

    Solar on the other hand doesn't bounce to the same drummer..like insulation you pretty much pay for it once and things level out over time to about the same thing as insulation. it is already paid for.

    it is by no coincidence that our industry all over the planet is into suggesting cleaner KW 's into the mix...
  • Mitch_4
    Mitch_4 Member Posts: 955
    Steve..the link

    does not work, (or at least I can't get it to)

    Can you check it? I am interested.

    Mitch
  • Glenn Sossin_2
    Glenn Sossin_2 Member Posts: 592
    comparitive spread sheet

    I made up this spreadsheet. I believe I've got everything correct. It makes it pretty easy to play what if scenarios. Check it out.
  • Glen
    Glen Member Posts: 855
    regardless of appliance -

    today in the East Kootenays of BC; LPG .60 liter, #2 1.40 liter. The math is now very easy. Elect is .13 kwh, NG about $12 per gigajoule (948 200 btu).
This discussion has been closed.