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Author Topic: Gas or Oil  (Read 363 times)

Offline Sixpence

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Gas or Oil
« on: September 28, 2006, 12:23:35 AM »
Ok, I have an old forced hot air system(not that old), but I have a daughter with asthma, and the old ductwork carries dust and mold that could give her a hard time this winter.

I want to go forced hot water, but I am debating gas or oil. We have gas in the house, our hot water and stove are gas(I refuse to give up cooking with gas), so supply into the house is not a problem. And the gas company will put up a good amount of money for equipment if I switch.

But with security issues with gas, I have to wonder if that will drive the price up. But I guess the pros and cons go back and forth.

I know gas burns cleaner, and I don't have issues with the dangers of gas, but I feel more secure with oil(I feel I could always get something cheap to burn in it).

The last option I have is to have someone come in and clean the ductwork and think it over the next year.
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Offline rpm

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Gas or Oil
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2006, 01:10:04 AM »

I tell you what, I recommend clean burning, efficient propane.
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Offline Angus

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Gas or Oil
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2006, 03:10:24 AM »
Not sure what your prices are ($ pro KW etc), and not too familiar with air heating like that, but I've had lots to do with heating. (Living in Iceland, hehe). So, I'll give you something to ponder about.
1. I assume forced hot water means a boiler, and then you have water-warmed radiators?
2. If that is the case, what is the difference in price vs electrical radiators?
(Those are the ones I have)
3. AFAIK a gas boiler is quite reliable. The oil ones I grew up with are too, but were a bit messy and smelly. You could also hear them.
4. There are or were multy-fuel kettles on the market. You could use anything that burned, and the backup was electricity.
5. Do you have a fireplace?
6. I've had a whiff of astma myself. Watch the ventilation and rotation of air. When air cools quickly it also becomes more damp, the astmatic will feel this uncomfartably.

Good luck.
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Offline BigGun

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Gas or Oil
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2006, 10:13:32 AM »
I would do whatever I thought was best for daughter's health, regardless of price. In fact, price of oil/gas wouldn't even factor into the equation.
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Offline Maverick

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Gas or Oil
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2006, 10:34:29 AM »
I'd go with gas rather than oil, especially with your daughters health problems.
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Offline Rameusb5

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Re: Gas or Oil
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2006, 11:37:32 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Sixpence
But with security issues with gas


What security issues?  (I have gas and am curious)
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Offline Sixpence

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Re: Re: Gas or Oil
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2006, 12:14:46 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Rameusb5
What security issues?  (I have gas and am curious)


Well, here in the northeast we store LNG in very large quantities, and we have had a break in at such a place not too far from where I live. It has become a political issue also, with one mayor from another city taking a picture of himself standing in front of an LNG storage tank wondering where the security was.

The fear is terrorists will detonate a storage tank, causing a biblical explosion. There, no doubt, will be legislation soon requiring safer storage, which will probably mean a tax added or higher prices to offset the costs that will incur.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2006, 12:44:25 PM by Sixpence »
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Offline Maverick

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Gas or Oil
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2006, 01:01:31 PM »
Gasoline, oil, diesel, kerosene (jet fuel) and all other petro products are stored in rather large containers in any municipal area and all can be ignited creating a bad fire situation. If that is your worry you had better change to a wood burning stove and hope no one starts a forrest fire.

Virtually every part of your life is at risk in some way, there isn't much at all that is "prefectly safe".

Given the choices you listed I'd still go with natural gas.
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Offline FiLtH

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Gas or Oil
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2006, 01:22:23 PM »
You get more btus out of oil than gas. Up here we have LP. Its expensive. Oil may be a tad messier if not setup right or maintained, but it doesnt go boom.

      Gas is quiet, and the boilers a little cheaper, but for a little more money you can get oil boilers that are just as quiet (Buderus)

     
       No matter what, the worst thing an asthyma patient (like me ) can be around is a scorched air furnace. Get rid of it and the ductwork. Its a world of difference. Make sure you get an indirect water heater that you can run off the boiler as well, or atleast plumb for it for the future.
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Offline Mustaine

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Re: Re: Gas or Oil
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2006, 01:33:22 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Rameusb5
I have gas
you know they make pills for that and these:

http://www.under-tec.com/store.php
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Offline LePaul

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« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2006, 03:49:07 PM »
I live in your neck of the woods...just further north.

I have coworkers who have LP and while they pay less per gallon....they have smaller tanks that require more frequent fillings.

I have oil and a 40 year old furnace that's only giving me about 79% efficiency.  Last year I only used 620 gallons, year before (colder and minus new windows) I used 900.  Depends on your home, too.  

Oil rates up here for fixed rate (locked) were upwards of $2.79.  I've opted not to pay ahead or lock in this year.  Neighbor just tanked up at $2.32 a gallon, so its certainly going down.

No idea the gas prices.

And as others said, whatever is best for your child, of course.

I'm checking the various furnaces out there and contemplating replacing mine next year.  As well as many other upgrades with the plumbing.
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