My buddy told me I should go propane b/c its MUCH cheaper. I would think if thats the case everybody would be using it. Since were also getting a pool with a heater, this is something I need to look into. I'm going to replace my boiler soon, so now would be the time.

Any comments/experience?

You need to find out what different heating methods cost in your area.

Natural gas is much cheaper than LP gas around my area.

Natual gas in a lot cheaper in Michigan. I heat my house with natural gas with the thermostat on 70 degrees. I heat the cabin in Northern Michigan with Propane with the thermostat on 55 degrees. Unless we are there, which is about two weekends a month, then it's heated to 70 degrees.

It cost me as much to heat the cabin as it takes to heat the house, and the cabin is about 2/3 the size. The outside temperature is also a few degrees colder most of the time, where the cabin is.

You need to find out what different heating methods cost in your area.

Natural gas is much cheaper than LP gas around my area.


Same thing around here, people think LP is much cheaper but it isn't when you look at the numbers.

Jeff

NG is less expensive here too.

Couple of links. Areas will vary slightly.

http://www.energykinetics.com/heatingfuelcomparisons.html

http://www.cityofparsons.com/natural_gas_can_save_you_hundred.htm

NG is cheaper in my area also and you burn less NG than LP. The pressure is measured in inches of water column by a manometer. NG pressure is 3.5" w.c. and LP is set to 11.0" of w.c. to achieve the same temperature rise. And you don't have to have a big ugly tank in your yard that needs to be refilled every three months.

Oil is the hotest,natural gas is second,propane comes in last.

And to convert one to the other, you will probably need to change jets...

Had to when we used a trailer propane kitchen stove in our house that was on NG later on..

pdq67

Propane is expensive. I run it in my house and it's over $2.00 a gallon now. I would run NG if it was available.

Cheaper here
NG doesn't need run out or need to be refilled
NG lines don't freeze in really cold weather (from moisture, not the actual propane)

And you never have to deal with this

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/24/us/24maine.html?ref=us

I use propane. I have a 1000 gallon tank buried outside. I own the tank though, so I can get the propane from any company I choose. I also get it cheaper because I own the tank. Same company delivers to me and my neighbor. When he paid $2.29/gallon, I paid $1.54/gallon last week.

NG is cost less that propane in my area but not by much. However with rising fuel costs I have heard NG is costing about the same. Plus the utility company charges you for up-keep even if it is not in your area. I own my tank and my propane is on a route delivery so I pay the same amount every month. Then new costs are assest at the yearly mark for the propane price increase or this year decrease. I have to use propane but if I had a choice I'd go with NG...

Look into an electric heater for your pool...

Another vote for NG...

and I dont know about this!!Look into an electric heater for your pool...:eek: :eek:

And to convert one to the other, you will probably need to change jets...

Had to when we used a trailer propane kitchen stove in our house that was on NG later on..

pdq67

Carburetors have jets, heating appliances have orifices.
There is more involved in converting fuel types than just changing the orifices in heating appliances which are different than most kitchen stoves.

LP can kiss my *** !! I'm spending around $375.00 a month to heat my home. where i live, its either LP or electric heat :(

LP can kiss my *** !! I'm spending around $375.00 a month to heat my home. where i live, its either LP or electric heat :(


??? You are in Mississippi? Isn't it like 50 to 60 degrees during the day down there this time of year? I don't pay even 1/2 that a month to heat my home up here in the coldest month of the year when it dips into the single digit temps.
What the heck are they charging you per gallon of propane down there?

One word!!

WOOD!!

He, He!!

But it's gonna get killed off once I figure the PM2.5 air emission reg's kick in everywhere..

pdq67

I burn LP, and it costs me about $800 a YEAR, in Minnesota to heat my house. :hurray: (granted it's not a big house, and it's only a few years old)

I like the fact I can pay it all at once in mid-summer (when prices are cheapest) and not have any gas bills all year. :)

I contracted LP for $1.49 a gallon. Just had 800 gallons delivered. I run gas stove, water heater, and furnace (as well as shop furnace) off propane (we live in the country so natural gas is not an option).

Another vote for NG...

and I dont know about this!!:eek: :eek:

How do you think hot tubs are heated???

How do you think hot tubs are heated???

I was referring to heating with electric, I dont know if that's how you took it....I would think that would be the most expensive way.

I heated my home with propane until the gas lines were extended. My heating bills were cut in half! That was with a 50% surcharge to pay for the gas line.:yes:
Go with natural gas whenever possible. Cheaper, no supply hassles, and just makes more sense.

??? You are in Mississippi? Isn't it like 50 to 60 degrees during the day down there this time of year? I don't pay even 1/2 that a month to heat my home up here in the coldest month of the year when it dips into the single digit temps.
What the heck are they charging you per gallon of propane down there?

just this week its started hitting 50+ it has been in the teens/20's lately. I'm paying 2.25 a gallon. I heat 2200 square feet with a gas water heater that supplies water to 3 baths. I also have a programable thermostat so during the day I'm at 60 degrees inside with the thermostat set to go to 72 1 hour before we usually get home. I've had it tested several times for leaks. It's a shock. I went from a 1300 square foot home with natural gas that cost me about 50 bucks a month. :sad:

I would think propane is for those who can't get NG. Is there anyone who can get NG, but opts for propane?

just this week its started hitting 50+ it has been in the teens/20's lately. I'm paying 2.25 a gallon. I heat 2200 square feet with a gas water heater that supplies water to 3 baths. I also have a programable thermostat so during the day I'm at 60 degrees inside with the thermostat set to go to 72 1 hour before we usually get home. I've had it tested several times for leaks. It's a shock. I went from a 1300 square foot home with natural gas that cost me about 50 bucks a month. :sad:

I'm guessing you have minimal, if any, insulation in that house too, right? When I bought mine, (1800 sqft), I paid atmost $300 in the winter to heat it on NG. Thats 1 person, gas heat & h2o, and at the time, no insulation whatsoever in the walls (which made the rewiring a snap)

I would think propane is for those who can't get NG. Is there anyone who can get NG, but opts for propane?

You wouldn't think so, why pay more for something you can have for less.
One of my distant neighbors had a large LP tank burried in his front yard a couple of years ago, I'm still wondering about that.

I'm guessing you have minimal, if any, insulation in that house too, right? When I bought mine, (1800 sqft), I paid atmost $300 in the winter to heat it on NG. Thats 1 person, gas heat & h2o, and at the time, no insulation whatsoever in the walls (which made the rewiring a snap)

actually its well insulated. it was built 8 yrs ago with 4" of insulation in the walls and 10" in the attic with a brick exterior.

actually its well insulated. it was built 8 yrs ago with 4" of insulation in the walls and 10" in the attic with a brick exterior.

wow..I guess you're the best example of propane being more expensive.

The house we rent now has propane and I hate it. I'll never have propane again, far too expensive. We've had NG, heat pump, and propane and both of our parents have oil furnaces and wood stoves. My choice would be NG if available that heated water circulated through the house.

A couple of things that no body has mentioned.

What about first cost?

If you have the option of either LP or NG. The cost of the equipment is basically the same. But, what is it going cost to get NG to the house/shop/garage? Tapping main, piping, excavation, etc. What's is it going to cost get propane? Tank (leased or owned), piping, excavation, etc. Also, most LP companies require min. delivered volume. That can be several hundred dollars up front, and everytime you need refilled.

The other thing to keep in mind. Propane is more expensive for a reason: It's more refined, it burns cleaner, It also cost more to transport. Also, LP puts out twice as many BTU's per CF than NG. 2000 to 2500 btu verses 1000 btu.
Side note is that the US is importing large volumes of LP from other countries. Does this matter to you? probably not. But what if those import costs double next year?

NG is dirty, even the cleanest burning furnace leaves residue on walls, windows, etc. Same is true for wood and FO.

Personally, I'm not a fan either one. IMO Geothermal is the way to go. It cost me on ave. $70 a month for 4,000 sq. ft., 2.5 bath home for a family of 4. My electric bill last month was $157. Why anyone would do anything else in today's market is beyond me!

There are pros and cons for all. The question is what suits you more?

How much are you guys paying for propane? I paid somewhere in the $1.30 range, contracted in August. I use about 650-700 gallons to heat the house, and for the water heater for a full year.

If you have the option of either LP or NG. The cost of the equipment is basically the same. But, what is it going cost to get NG to the house/shop/garage?

Around here, they'll run it to the house for free if you live in town and near an existing gas main. My parents converted from oil to NG a few years ago and the utility took care of everything up to the inside of the foundation.