oil heat OR natural gas ???

[veg-o-matic]

Personally, I like gas heat because gas is always there. Well, as much as electricity, anyway. In all the years we've used gas, I've never once had a service interruption due to a gas main break, etc.

When we had oil, we occasionally DID have an interruption when the weather was so cold that the oil gelled in the tank. That was in Mass. and a long time ago, so maybe they've improved the product since then.

Greg, if you have gas piped into the house, it'll increase the property value. Plus, you'll be able to use it for cooking, hot water, and drying clothes. You could even put in a gas fireplace. I don't know about NE, but down here if you put in a high-efficiency tankless water heater, you get a $300 credit (though I can't remember from whom.)

There's nothing quite like dinner cooked on a gas range in aluminum pans.

Unless it's washing underwear with towels...

veg

 

[toggleswitch]

while smoking and drinking, of course.

 

[seeitrun2006]

Natural Gas

Growing up in rural north GA I grew up in a house with NO insulation. It was not required in 1956 when I was born and the year my family's little red brick home was buildt. The house was heated with propane from an underground tank in the back yard. My Dad worked for the local propane delivery company. We cooked, heated water, dryed clothes with propane gas. They raised five kids with propane gas. My parents remodeled their house in the 1970's added insulation, storm windows, storm doors and replaced sheetrock with paneling and added wood heat. Now in the winter time when we go for a visit their house is like walking into an oven. My wife and I keep our house at 68 in the winter and 78 in summer. My parents house is 80+ in the winter and cooled by 2 window A/C in the summer.

At my home we cook with electric, have a electric dual fuel heat pump with natural gas back-up when the temps. dip below 32 degrees. Heat water via natural gas. Had a gas dryer but replaced with electric after Katrina hit and Natural gas prices went thru the roof.

 

[sudsmaster]

Most homes in my area (SF Bay) built before the 60's were not insulated, either. The climate here just was too mild and energy prices too low to worry about conservation.

Of course it's different today. When I bought this home in '97, it had no insulation in the attic, and numerous air leaks in the ceiling. After sealing off the leaks and adding about 10 inches of fiberglass insulation, I was able to lower the winter-time gas consumption by about 50%. The furnace also works a lot less. Even on the coldest evenings (it can get down to the high 20's) it's off mroe than on. Lowered the thermostat to about 64 F last winter - got familiar with sweaters and thick socks. Got a $40 rebate from the local power company for using more than 10% less than previous winter. Don't think I could repeat that feat this winter, but you never know, what with global warming and all... lol...

 

[seeitrun2006]

Insulation

My parents also added insulation in the attic of their home also. Made a huge difference.