Replies

1. 
   Galen | Nov 07, 2003 04:08pm | #1

   I live in the mountains of North Carolina and even though the pro's recomended propane I went with oil.  It is much cheaper than gas in my area and the new boiler is excelant.  I have one seventy gallon boiler that heats my radiant floor and is used for my domestic hot water. I have been more than happy with oil.

2. 
   DavidThomas | Nov 07, 2003 10:34pm | #2

   I always buy houses that have natural gas available, but in your case. . .

   Go with hot water as part of the oil boiler.  One less appliance to keep in tune and one less tank to get refilled.  Also, oil has consistently been cheaper than propane.  You're stuck with an oil tank anyway, why add a propane tank and loss the yard space and have to build a fence to hide it?

   Even if you had propane for the cooktop (a valid approach for us avid cooks), I'd do oil for the hot water.  The cooktop can run a long time on a 40-pound cylinder on the back porch.  The HWH will need a 100- or 250-gallon tank refilled more aften.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
3. 
   EricPaulson | Nov 08, 2003 01:18am | #3

   Oil.........

   Where upstate are you?

   Eric

1. 
   exchef | Nov 08, 2003 07:18am | #6

   were just out side of syracuse and as to the other post i agree about keeping it all together

   noah

4. 
   greggo | Nov 08, 2003 04:15am | #4

   Hi: I'm not a pro but I have done tons and tons of reading on the subject.I'm currently building my own house in CT.Personnaly I put in a Buderus brand oil fired boiler with a 79 gallon Buderus indirect water heater.(the bigger w/h is for my 100 gal whirlpool)This setup seems to be the most efficient for my area.There is a good book out called Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by Wilson.Thorne,Morrill,7th edition.I think I paid $7.00 used at Amozon.It explains in easy to understand reading why one H/W unit is better than the next, plus a lot of other great info.There is also a member here who is the author of another energy book and I'm sure he will give his help too.

5. 
   Rackman | Nov 08, 2003 06:26am | #5

   I use oil for heat and hot water and propane for cooking, oil is less expensive in the mountains of Western Maryland. Have radient heat in floors and would go this way again.

1. 
   greggo | Nov 10, 2003 10:53pm | #8

   Hey Birddog what type of radiant do you have Hydronic,slab,plates ,electric.I'm looking into the stadler viega system.Did you do it yourself?

6. 
   fortdh | Nov 10, 2003 09:33pm | #7

   Chef, I like to keep it simple. You are going to keep water hot the entire year, so why have two appliances, two sources of fuel stored, one unit that is used only seasonally, cold starts, aging fuel ( if oil used winter only)) etc.?

   That brings it to a cost per Btu for your area, which you have already researched. I prefer nat gas, but that is not an option where you live.

   You probably already have a small backup generator to provide the current you need to power pumps, blowers etc., in case of a grid failure.

   The book referenced has a web site at aceee.org and lists boilers that meet the Energy Star efficiency requirements (AFUE of 85% min) as of 1997-98. Paul

   Energy Consultant and author of Practical Energy Cost Reduction for the Home