AboutCharles E. Felker Expertise Energy questions related to homeowners and their energy supplier.
Questions related to process control.
HVAC questions
Natural gas transmission, distribution.
Experience Penn State grad 1954 in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering. Forty five years experience in process control, natural gas processing, compression, transmission and distribution
Organizations ASME
Education/Credentials BS Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering Pennsylvania State University
Question I live in a big (3500 sq ft), old, leaky house with a 25 year-old oil furnace. Last winter, I was spending ~$800/month on oil, and I think it's time to upgrade my heating system.
With oil at $4/gal, is it time to switch to propane? Natural gas is not an option.
Answer I'd look close at switching since fuel oil is about 135,000 BTU per gal while propane is 95,000 BTU/ gal and the BTU value determines the energy content of the fuel, all fuels coal, wood electric . Oil and propane are non-regulated fuels unlike natural gas and electric so there are no easy answers. Electricity is even looking like a winner with these outrageous oil prices. At $.10/KwHR its $30/MMBTU compared to your $4 oil which would be also $30 /MMBTU where the MMBTU is million BTU and electric is more efficient and regulated. Wish I could help more
