What Is This Blog?

  • Energy Miser is about saving you some money on day-to-day energy expenses. Along the way, I hope to chat about how the wider world of energy affects people's daily lives. EM is my way of joining the Green Revolution. Maybe you'll join with me.

My Photo

  • View Janet Link's profile on LinkedIn
Environment Blogs

Useful Links

  • CoolGreenStuf
    Innovative, cost-effective and eco-friendly building materials and finishes.
  • Green Living Solutions
    The home energy and lifestyle consulting group, will help you discover the best ways to Save Energy, money and the planet.
  • GreenSender.com
    Green gifts, green good, and green ideas. A not-for-profit store.
  • Walkable Suburbs
    This is a fantastic Web site about the benefits of "Walkable Suburbs" where you can cut energy use and maximize enjoyment of life.

Books on Energy Issues

  • Mark Schapiro: Exposed

    Exposed looks at how toxic substances reach into our homes, and how the United States is taking a back seat to the European Union in controlling exposure to dangerous chemicals. Click here for more.

  • Thomas Friedman: Hot, Flat, and Crowded

    Thomas Friedman's book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded, is a thorough and thoughtful look at what is wrong with America's approach to energy and the environment and what we can do to change it. Click here for more.

  •   Energy Saving Tips
Blog powered by TypePad

  • Add to Technorati Favorites

« Obama's Speech: A New Direction for Energy Policy? | Main | How Much Does It Cost to Dry My Clothes? »

February 05, 2009

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a010535bda86c970b0111684a8693970c

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Should You Switch from Oil to Natural Gas Heat?:

Comments

Great synopsis of a question I have been pondering on for a long time. Thanks Janet!
As a a realtor I definately see that some buyers find gas more attractive, but I always tell them that an above ground tank removes the main issue with oil -- that of the underground tank and possible pollution of surroundings and nightmare tales of horrendous clean-up costs.

We actually did convert to gas and remove our oil tank a few years back at a cost of about $7500 including re-paving the hole in the driveway. We chose this route purely for re-sell reasons with the catalyst being the furnace failing. Whether or not it has saved us anything yet is not clear!

But I always remember one thing my plumber (and former oil supplier) told me at the time: "On a cold day, you won't be as happy with the heat from gas as you are with oil" and whether or not his reasons are accurate, it seems to us that he was right. According to him, when it's cold outside and you have gas, everyone cranks up their furnaces at the same time, the amount of gas you get to your home will be diminished and your house will not feel as warm. With oil you have your own oil supply, so it makes no difference how much your neighbors are using...

Good post.Thanks for providing the information...

This information is very helpful. One thing I have not been able to figure out is the cost of having a gas line run from the street to my house. I have called Jersey Central Power & Light to ask but am unable to reach a liver person. Any ballpark figures are greatly appreciated.

We are about to purchase an older home - with original windows. (not so energy efficient!) We are debating converting to gas when we move in. The original owners tell us that they go through 1.5 tanks/season. We spoke to someone else that said they may not be telling the truth...and that it will be closer to 3. The home is 2200 sq/ft. We don't keep our home really warm in the winter - usually around 68-ish. How many times would we need to fill it?

Thanks! Great article!

Hi Sarah,
Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, but we've been away. Our home is 1900 sq/ft and we used about 720 gallons of heating oil for the 2008/09 season versus 740 gallons in 2007/08, although this year was 9 percent colder in the Northeast where we live.

The actual temperature in our house during the day was 64 degrees, even though we kept our thermostat at 62. Our oil tank holds about 220 gallons, I think. So, we used a little over 3 tanks full of heating oil. Obviously, it depends on the capacity of your tank.
Janet

Hi Tom,
According to our local utility, PSE&G, the cost of having a gas line installed varies widely. First, they need to know if a gas line already exists on your street. It's a lot cheaper if it does, because then PSE&G only has to lay a pipe from the street to your house. But costs still vary widely.
Depending on the new gas consuming appliances you install, and PSE&G's estimate of how much gas your household will use, you will receive what they call a revenue credit toward installation of the gas pipeline. So, for instance, if you are going to install a new 100,000 BTU gas heater, PSE&G will give you a handsome credit toward installation of the pipeline because they know your household is going to be consuming a fair amount of gas. Unfortunately, I couldn't get absolute $$ figure because it varies so much from residence to residence, but I was told that there are cases where the pipeline from the street to the house costs nothing. Again, it all depends on the revenue credit.
Your best bet is to call PSE&G and ask for their Construction Inquiry Dept., or you can go to their website and fill out a form called a gas load inquiry sheet. They will respond by sending someone to your house for an estimate. Their phone # for this is 1 800 722-0156. Press #1 for residential inquiries. Good Luck!

Good informative post.Thanks for posting the valuable information on oil and gas..
alternative energy

Hi,
Natural gas is a gas consisting primarily of methane. It is found associated with fossil fuels, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is created by methanogenic organisms in marshes, bogs, and landfills. It is an important fuel source, a major feedstock for fertilizers, and a potent greenhouse gas.

I found that the futures markets of wall street pretty much harmonized all the energy prices.

I found out that propane was way cheaper than gasoline for my car. And, then the price went up to match it.

Hi Sean,

Interesting post on propane. My husband's dad, in the 1950s, converted his Plymouth to run on propane. He said it worked great. I'll write a post on this soon!

I recently switched from oil to gas heating in my home and I have loved it.

Really enjoyed reading your blog post. I will have to bookmark your site for later.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment