| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 65.1 | | ERLANG::BLACK | | Tue Mar 01 1988 03:14 | 6 |
| I just checked my most recent electric bill -- I'm currently paying
5.672 cents per kWh. So, if my figures are right, it looks like
I should forget about Propane.
Andrew
|
| 65.2 | | FRSBEE::DEROSA | because a mind is a terrible thing | Tue Mar 01 1988 11:31 | 16 |
| I have oil heat with tankless hot water and about 3 years ago I
had a propane hot water system put in because I didn't want to burn
oil in the summer. At the time it was cheaper than electric and
I think it still is, I'd have to check my records. Anyways I have
been totally happy with it so far and there's plenty of hot water.
We hit the propane company at the right time because they were
practically giving you a water heater free with installation. It
is an AO SMITH super insulated job (40 gals.)
We installed so I can still switch back and forth from the propane
heater to the tankless oil heater by way of a couple of valves.
Bob
|
| 65.3 | I'd stay with the electric | REGENT::MERSEREAU | | Tue Mar 01 1988 13:42 | 9 |
|
Usually, people with all electric houses get a good rate on
their electric bills (better than the people who heat with
oil or gas). It sounds to me like the $70 a month is pretty
inexpensive for a household using all the hot water you do,
as well as cooking, etc. I doubt you would see any payback
from another system. You might save a little by going with
low-flow shower heads, and other energy saving devices, though.
|
| 65.4 | Stay w/ electric and install a timer... | ALIEN::PETROVIC | Looking for a simpler place & time... | Tue Mar 01 1988 13:54 | 15 |
|
I looked into propane also and although the information I got
from the local gas man was promising, I decided to stay with
electric. I have a separate meter for the water heater and until
I installed a timer, my bill was in the neighborhood of
$50/month. That has been cut in half. We have two kids, 1 and 3
years old, so the washer's running quite a bit as is the
dishwasher and have seen no real increase since the timer's been
online (4 years now).
The timer's built by Intermatic and sells under the name of 'The
Little Gray Box' for about $25-$30. It paid for itself in the
first month. I have it set to go on at 7:00AM, off at 9:30, on
again at 5:00PM and off at 8:00PM. It has a manual override for
special days when company's over or whatever.
|
| 65.5 | Second the low-flow showerhead | HPSTEK::EKOKERNAK | | Tue Mar 01 1988 15:21 | 16 |
| I got a low-flow shower head out of principle. Now all my friends
with tankless systems, and/or teenage children are getting them.
We are all thrilled.
The one I got (from MassSave) is the smallest and simplest looking
of them all. I think it was also the most expensive ($10 in the
stores).
$70 a month is not bad. I'd stick with it, get the low-flow, and
maybe put on a timer. If you want a benchmark, I'm a single homeowner
with 80 gal. electric water heater. Last summer, with no energy
conservation or insulation my electric was $40.
I'll update this number after this summer.
Elaine
|
| 65.6 | Timer sounds good, low-flow head harder ... | ERLANG::BLACK | | Wed Mar 02 1988 18:31 | 20 |
| The timer is a good idea, and is something that I should do. If
anyone sees the little gray boxes on sale, please post a note.
I got a low-flow showerhead for our last house, and planned to install
the same one here. In fact, I have it in the garage right now.
The $10 variety with the push pin on the head that almost stops
the flow while you soap up.
Unfortunately, the shower head assumes a standard male thread on
the end of the pipe that sticks out of the wall. My current shower
doesn't have a pipe: it has a squarish block of metal, with a FEMAL
threaded hole in it into which the shower head screws.
Is there a simple fix to this? I just figured that it wasn't worth
taking the big wrentch to the old, ripping it out, and then having
to do major repairs to get the low flow head on. After all, the
point is to SAVE money.
Andrew
|
| 65.7 | | HPSMEG::LUKOWSKI | I lost my A$$ in the '87 CRASH! | Thu Mar 03 1988 12:03 | 8 |
| Re: .6
Go to your friendly plumbing supply house or Spag's, whichever
is closer :^), and ask for a brass nipple. I'm assuming that the
thread sizes will match but you should ask. The brass nipple is
1 1/2" to 2" long and is threaded (male) on both ends.
-Jim
|
| 65.8 | Try Suburban Propane. | DRUID::CHACE | | Thu Mar 03 1988 16:02 | 10 |
| Try Suburban Propane, they will do the complete installation; either
to you hot water heater or to one they supply. On added benifit
(I think) is that unlike some other companies, they refill YOUR
tank rather than exchanging it with another. (just like an oil company
does to the oil tank in your house) This gives you more flexibility
in locating the tank. The only limit is the length of the hose ~75'.
I have had them for 2 different home for over the last 8 years and
I am satisfied overall.
Kenny
|
| 65.9 | Eastern Propane | HACKET::KUSCHER | Ken | Fri Mar 04 1988 15:47 | 7 |
|
Eastern Propane will also install. They also supply the
tank at no charge (they own it ). I pay 94 cents per
gallon minus a 4 cent discount if paid within 2 weeks of
receiving the bill.
Ken
|
| 65.10 | Propane HW to Natural Gas conversion | HOCUS::KCARPENTER | | Thu Feb 16 1989 17:35 | 20 |
| I hope someone is still reading this note!
I am considering a house that currently has a electric FHA heating
system with electric backup, and a propane tank for hot water and
cooking, at about $32/month.
I'm not crazy about a propane tank in my backyard, and am considering
a conversion to natural gas. This wasn't an option to the current
owner when the propane was installed.
Has anyone done this conversion? Can the tank be retrofitted or
is it worth buying a new gas heater? Niagara Mohawk(utility co)
will bring in the gas line for free, but I need to do the rest.
Is this a DIY project? What about the stove...can that be converted
to natural gas? Does the copper pipe need to be changed to steel?
Bottom line...is this conversion worth the investment?
Kevin DTN:344-2206
|
| 65.12 | Gas is a little worse | MPGS::LEVESQUE | The Dukes a DINK! | Thu Feb 16 1989 18:40 | 13 |
|
rep -1
Yes, BUT a month or so ago a house in Auburn had a tank system
in the backyard and something leaked somewhere. That morning when
the poor kid turned on the TV KAPOW no more house. It was gone
not even a stick standing. Every surrounding house was damage
quite extensively. I think that must have scared alot of people
with gas anything.
BAL
|
| 65.13 | | CALVA::WOLINSKI | uCoder sans Frontieres | Thu Feb 16 1989 18:43 | 18 |
|
Rep .10
Yes you can convert the hot water heater and stove to natural
gas. It involves changing the gas orifices because of the
different pressures between propane and natural gas. I would
say it is a DYI job BUT I would have somebody do it for me.
The main reason is insurance liability if you screw up and
blow up your house I'm sure your insurance company would stick
it to you. The job is really easy just unscrewing the propane
orifice and screwing the natural gas orifice back in place.
You would have one on the hot water heater and six on the stove.
<one for each burner, one for the broiler, one for the oven>
I hope this helps.
-mike
|