Want to convert my home from oil heat to something else, suggestions?

[miltonarmitage]

Dear friends,

I'm fed up with having oil heat my house. Oil has been spilled in my basement during a service call, the filter was just replaced today because it sprung a leak making my house smell like a gas station and knowing that replacing the tank is going to cost at least 2,000 dollars just adds fuel to my fire (no pun intended). There must be a smarter, safer, cleaner way to heat a house! I don't want to switch to gas, I've heard too many scary stories of houses blowing up. I am considering having solar panels installed but it could take 90-120 days to complete the job (yikes!) it's unclear if this would replace my oil tank (which is the whole idea) and I didn't get a quote on price. My favorite idea is converting my house to electric heat but there are cons that come with this too! What do you suggest? How do you heat your house? Any ideas you want to share would be great, the sooner I get rid of this pain in the neck oil tank b.s the better!     

[pressman]

I have gas if you take care of things nothing will happen electric heat can also be dangerous and very expensive

[miltonarmitage]

Hi Pressman,

I have a few relatives who have gas in their homes and they say the same thing you do that if you're careful it's okay, I just don't want to take the gamble, it's too risky I think. With electric rates going up it certainly is expensive but it's much cleaner than oil and unless there is faulty wiring I don't see how it can be dangerous. I'd rather pay a little more for electric and have peace of mind than be poisoned by oil fumes! Thanks for your input.     

[sdenimandlace1]

I use wood its cheaper here and easier to deal with.

[monnee]

Either change to natural gas or electric heater.

[miltonarmitage]

Hello Sdenimandlace1,

I have a fireplace and agree wood is easy to deal with and not too expensive. The problem is, it won't heat my whole house or water for a shower for example.

Hi Monnee,

I don't trust natural gas enough, with my luck or lack there of, if something can go wrong it will. Electric heat seems like the best idea so far, I guess I need to get some info from a contractor to help me decide. Thank you both for commenting!     

[oldbuddy]

When I first moved to the Northwest I used a wood furnace and it did heat my whole house. Now since we live in a Public Utility District and get electricity for half the normal rate, almost everyone in out town uses electricity.

[miltonarmitage]

Hi Oldbuddy,

Sure seems like electric is the way to go, no muss no fuss and peace of mind means a lot! Thanks for chiming in.

[SherylsShado]

I have a furnace but the bill is always crazy because the house is old & drafty.  Even with draft dodgers at the doors & windows, solar curtains, plastic shrink wrap, etc.

This was the first year I tried blocking off the rooms not used regularly and running a life smart infrared quartz heater (power plus)---I think it's supposed to be similiar to those Amish heaters.  It heats nicely without running up a huge bill and it really cut down on my heating bill because furnace hardly had to run at all.  (And we have COLD winters.)

[myfreebees316]

You could go with gas heat but check into this before you do anything else and ask if its possible to go geo thermal. You just might be in an area where its possible. If you live in an area where you have that option that could save you a ton of money on heating bills

[miltonarmitage]

Hi Sherylisshado,

I have the same problem with drafts you do LOL! I plastic wrap my windows, put towels at the bottom of doors etc as you do and use mini heaters to save money when I'm stuck in my home office for long periods and not using the rest of the house. I loving saving money (who doesn't right?) but I'll be soooo happy when this horrible oil tank is gone and I'm using something (probably electricity) that isn't such a hassle to deal with. Thanks for sharing!

Dear Myfreebees316,

Gas is not an option, I'm afraid something will go bang! You have me curious about going geo thermal though, I'm not familiar with that but being safe is the most important issue even more than saving money. I agree I want to consider all possibilities but I don't think gas is one of them. Thanks for your input.