price comparing oil or gas

Constantin

... like therms (100kBTU).

Then compare the energy value of each fuel and their corresponding prices:

1 Gallon of #2 Heating oil has a theoretical heating value of about 140kBTU or 1.4 Therms. To get a $/therm price, simply divide the local long-term $/Gallon price by 1.4. To check your math, the $/therm price should be <b>lower</b> than the $/Gallon price.

Natural gas is usually quoted in therms. Prices also vary a great deal by county/state/city. Usually, the price is in $/therm, so you need no additional math. However, be careful regarding the pricing as many transmission companies charge different gas prices depending on usage, and plan. You may have to estimate the monthly fuel usage to properly predict the gas price. Better yet, get a fuel cost from neighbors with similar houses, heating habits, and average it out over the year.

1 Gallon of LP has a heating value of about 92kBTU. Thus, divide the long-term delivery price by 0.92 to get $/Therm for LP. To check your math, the $/therm price should be <b>higher</b> than the $/Gallon price.

To further compensate for heating plant efficiency differences, simply divide the fuel cost/therm by the AFUE efficieny of each respective boiler. So if a oil boiler has an efficienty of 86% then you should divide by 0.86. Since there are no fuel-burning heating plants I know of that add free energy, the resultant $/therm compensated for efficiency fuel cost should always be <b>higher</b> than that of the underlying fuel.

Thomas Powell

price comparing gas to oil

I have two boilers steam one pipe system. One is gas the other oil. Assumeing the boilers have the same efficiency Is there a formula for picking the cheapest heating fuel.


Thanks Tom Powell