Bigjim13 said:
djs_net said:
Bigjim13 said:
Keep in mind, if pellets get to $280-$360 per ton, its not worth it to burn them to me. At that point its cheaper or at least breaking even to burn oil even at $4 per gallon and I dont have to do the upkeep that a pellet stove requires. IF I wasn't saving a boat load of money, I wouldnt burn. Yes I love the fact that I am not dependent on oil and love the fact that its greener, but cash is king and when times are tight you can only stretch the dollar so far. I WON'T pay $300 per ton to heat my house.
You're math might be a little off. Even at $300/ton my heating bill with pellets is WAY less than oil at $3.50/gallon and my house is 8-10 degrees warmer.
Dollar for dollar yes, its still technically cheaper to heat with pellets. But how much is your time worth? Between getting the pellets, stacking, bringing them into the house, filling the stove and cleaning? When all you have to do with oil is hit a button? The last full season I burned oil, I went through 550 gallons.
550*3.75=2062.50
I usually burn 4 tons so
$280*4= 1120
Then there is the time involved. Just saying, to some its not worth it.
I've averaged about 700 gals of oil per year. At $3.50/gal, that's $2,450.
This is my first year burning pellets but I doubt I'll burn 4 tons so even at $300/ton that's only $1,200.
I understand that time is worth money, but with the help of my wife and 2 sons with the stacking and cleaning, it seems like a no-brainer to save $1,250 on heating cost. (Actuallya little less, because I still use oil for hot water)