heating woes

[bandit86]

my dad has a sidesplit house just outside the city, only has electric heat, a 22KW forced air furnace.

He wants to go to either oil or propane, any suggestions?

I told him to get a wind generator, get a net-electric meter and not to worry as the meter will spin backwards on days when he's not using hydro , but he doesnt agree.

 

[captmello]

Re: heating woes

Propane, much more versitle.

 

[JB]

Re: heating woes

Confusing post, but I think I understand.

What does he not agree with??

 

[mthieme]

Re: heating woes

A wind generator for the furnace is not going to be practical, financially or otherwise. Generating enough juice is going to require a farm of windmills. Storing it is a hole 'nuther story. Can't imagine how many batteries would be needed to keep a 22KW furnace going. (lots!).
Compare fuel prices first. There are pros and cons to either source.
I have a propane furnace. It is much cleaner than oil. The past two years it has been cheaper. Fuel prices seem to leap frog each other cyclically.

 

[Bondo]

Re: heating woes

I have a propane furnace. It is much cleaner than oil. The past two years it has been cheaper. Fuel prices seem to leap frog each other cyclically.

Ayuh,... I can't argue with that,...
But,..
I burn Oil in a hotwater system,....

I prefer Oil for it's portability, Especially in Emergency situations....

We seem to have Snow, or Sleet situations often enough to own a Generator,...
Portability of Wood,+ Oil just makes sense to Me...

For your Dad,... Is he set on hot Air,..??
Look into Radient Heating systems,...

Oh,... The Windmills,... The typical homeowner versions are about 400 watts...
Your Dad's heater uses 22,000 watts... Just don't add up...

 

[bandit86]

Re: heating woes

net metering allows you to sell excess back to the utility. in the fall and spring, especially at night when the house is dark and not heated, any power generated is fed back into the system. While they will not pay for the stuff sent back, the meter spins backwards thus reducing your overall consumtion.

being on a 1 acre lot with no immediate neighbours, depending on what the local height restrictions are, it would be feasible

 

[rwise]

Re: heating woes

Lots of folks are looking at pellet stoves, though they do require electricity to run, those that have them seam quit happy with them. I heat with wood, messy, yes, but thanx to an ice storm I have plenty propane, costly, oil, never used it for heat

 

[mthieme]

Re: heating woes

Wood is my main heat source too. The furnace is backup (along with baseboards).
Pellets seem to be all the rage, but $$$.