Fuel Oil Usage.

ConnecticutYankee · February 7

Guys,

I'd like to estimate the increase in fuel usage if I raise the temperature inside my house from the current setting of 66 degrees to a more comfortable 68 degrees. I burn 900 gallons annually with roughly 700 gallons for radiant heating.

What would you guys suggest or recommend for a method of calculation? An estimation of any accuracy would be helpful.

It's likely that keeping my existing Weil-McLain Gold oil-boiler makes more financial sense than upgrading to any other equipment and/or conversion to propane. The ROI just doesn't seem to be there. For example, if I'm spending $3k per year now (possibly $5k per year at 68-70 degree thermostat setting), the savings yielded from installing the Viessmann Vitocrossal would be marginal at best. Certainly not enough to justify spending the equivalent of a new Harley Davidson Street Bob.

I appreciate any feedback. All the best to you guys!

Here's my even longer-winded post from last week with more detailed information.

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/200286/which-viessmann-boiler-to-buy

pecmsg · February 7

Tightening the envelop will give a much higher return on investment than any high efficiency equipment.

Get a blower door test done, find and fix the leaks. Storm windows, even the 3M plastic film helps. Insulation.

Hot_water_fan · February 7

Increase will be minor.

Using Hartford's heating degree days:

Last 12 months, base temp 61F: 4486

Last 12 months, base temp 63F: 4964

So about 10% more usage.

techforlife · February 9

You might burn 50 to 100 gals. more, that's all. If you want to replace the boiler, EK System 2000 uses the least fuel.

pecmsg · February 9

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841553#Comment_1841553

Enough to get a return on investment?

Jamie Hall · February 9

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841586#Comment_1841586

probably not.

Steamhead · February 9

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841593#Comment_1841593

Maybe not at today's prices, but fuel costs aren't going down………….

Jamie Hall · February 10

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841619#Comment_1841619

I believe that the project is in Connecticut. Fuel costs are going up — slowly — but if you want eye-watering increases, try electricity around here.

Hot_water_fan · February 10

Fuel prices change daily. If you know future prices, please tell us so we can place bets.

Jamie Hall · February 10

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1841659#Comment_1841659

You have a point — which is why all the places I care for buy in bulk, in the spring. At least we know what we are getting into. (this year it was $3.19 per gallon) Electricity prices, on the other hand, only go in one direction — up — and we do get advance notice… sort of… Loots like somewhere around $.35 per kWh here in the Nutmeg State, starting this summer… might be as high as $.38, but probably not $.40 this year anyway.

Hot_water_fan · February 10

Paying $.14/kwh here (if memory serves me right). Your delivery rates are obscene.

EdTheHeaterMan · February 10

Back in the 1970s when we had the first oil embargo, there were three big things that allowed us to use less fuel. The first thing that everyone could do right away was to set the thermostat from 72° back to 68°. President Nixon got on television and told all us Americans to do that. the next thing was to get a clock thermostat and automatically set the thermostat to 63° when we went to sleep and were out of the house. The clock would bring the heat back to 68° before we wake up or got home from work. The third thing was to get an automatic vent damper for your furnace or boiler. There were all kinds of studies performed back then and it seems that all atmospheric Gas boilers have automatic vent dampers today. So that must work.

But the lowering of the temperature would save about 15% if you lowered the temperature just 5°. Well that mathematics works in reverse too. For every 1° you rase the temperature you will increase your fuel consumption about 3%. So by increasing the temperature from 66° to 68° you can expect a 6% increase in fuel usage, all else being equal. So based on 700 gallons for space heating you can expect an additional 21 gallons of oil, to increase the temperature 2°F. That will be over $60.00 to be comfortable for the whole winter. That about 67 cents per day. That's less than a Dunkin donut. And think of how much weight you will loose when you stop eating all those donuts.

Fuel Oil Usage.

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