Looks like I picked the wrong year to buy two pellet stove oil prices keep dropping....

[F4jock]

I just can't resist commenting, even though I am not going to get into a long, drawn out battle with you on this... The new administration in PA has inherited a hot mess, and will have much to address. I tend to vote for candidates on both sides of the aisle, and have a mix of friends and business contacts on both as well. The consensus (and vote tally) has been that the outgoing governor has done less for this state than almost any governor in recent history. You had to work hard to lose as a Republican in the recent election, yet he managed to do so (thankfully) because of his record.

So for once, let's see what this new guy can do regardless of party. Enough is enough with this waving of the party flag at all costs. The guy isn't even in office yet - give him a shot and let's see what happens if we listen to what is being proposed and judge ideas on merit, before we make up our minds.

F.Y.I. I'm a registered Independent but I've seen and heard too much of this type of rhetoric and it's results to swallow any of it. Wolf has already stated that a drilling tax alone won't cover his programs. Can you say "Tax increase"? Let's revisit this in a year. Merry Christmas!

 

[bogieb]

Just got propane fill up yesterday at $2.23 gallon here in Ontario! I instantly hit the off button on the pellet stove! It is now an evening room heater until the price of propane goes back up.

I paid 3.11/gal a couple of weeks ago for propane. Since I have an older coiler (circa 1980 or so), it most likely isn't very efficient. Last year I went thru 300+ gallons per month just to heat my main floor to 64 degrees (and the bedrooms were colder because they are over the garage). My last fill up last year was at 5.59/gallon (can you say house payment to heat for one month?)

Pellet stoves are still way cheaper to heat with - and I get a heated basement too - not a finished basement, but maybe someday. One day I will have to upgrade the boiler just because they eventually start leaking (ask me how I know), and I use it for if I go on vacation, but for the cost of a new boiler and propane, it makes more sense for me to use pellets (and the house is now 75)

Hey, go with what makes sense to you. And believe me, if I had NG going thru this area, I would be all over it. Used to have it in KS, at that is cheap to heat with.

 

[briansol]

NG is cheap. for now. It too will have it's spike. The only way to hedge the bet is to have one of everything and burn what's cheaper when it's cheaper. But then once you realize you spent 50 grand on all these appliances, the hedge ROI turns into a very long time.

 

[Wilbur Feral]

Let's revisit this in a year. Merry Christmas!

Fair enough. And Merry Christmas! A bit of a warm and wet one, but will take a turn cooler next week.

 

[Don2222]

I know it's a long term play and it will pay off in the end but I was just curious with pellets at $5.50 and oil at $2.60, my payoff point just went out a few years I think.

See pic below click to enlarge:
1 bag of pellets = 2.5 gallons of oil.
So $5.50 = 2.5 x $2.60 = $6.50
So it is still $1.00 cheaper per bag of pellets!

 

[Bioburner]

Well we compared it to what the neighbors were paying last February for propain at over $5. Local propane tank farm is still empty.

 

[SKOAL MAN]

See pic below click to enlarge:
1 bag of pellets = 2.5 gallons of oil.
So $5.50 = 2.5 x $2.60 = $6.50
So it is still $1.00 cheaper per bag of pellets!

So with this logic a $4800 pellet stove will be paid off after you burn 4800 bags of pellets or 96 tons! That's 24 years at 4 tons a year, lol!!

 

[hossthehermit]

Is anyone else not seeing text in Tony's replies because I'm not ? On both one computer of mine and my cell. I haven't tried the other computer.

 

[Don2222]

So with this logic a $4800 pellet stove will be paid off after you burn 4800 bags of pellets or 96 tons! That's 24 years at 4 tons a year, lol!!

I got this used Enviro pellet stove for $300 dollars that I fixed up. Payback is much faster!

 

[Rock Crusher]

Bogieb, it's a shame propane has remained high up in some locations. I just signed a PO at work Tuesday and propane was $1.319 per gallon. Sure wish energy prices would equalize, gas below $2.00 per gallon in the mid-west, $2.70 here. Anyway-MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL .

 

[Wilbur Feral]

I got this used Enviro pellet stove for $300 dollars that I fixed up. Payback is much faster!

Excellent work. Now a nice looking stove!

 

[bogieb]

Bogieb, it's a shame propane has remained high up in some locations. I just signed a PO at work Tuesday and propane was $1.319 per gallon. Sure wish energy prices would equalize, gas below $2.00 per gallon in the mid-west, $2.70 here. Anyway-MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL .

Well, every bit of propane we get is either by rail from Canada, or by truck from down south. We pay high prices, paying for transportation, because of NIMBY people. That is the reason NG isn't available too, except for a few very southern towns - people oppose the running of underground NG pipe that would bring it up further north (further, meaning 30 miles up from the boarder in my case). They say their property values will plummet. So I guess the sight of the propane and oil tanks doesn't detract from value but unseen pipeline will . Same case for in-town wind energy the town next to mine, people don't want it in THEIR town, but would support it elsewhere (some have suggest Audubon and other sanctuary property - hu?). I can understand opposition to Northern Pass because that is all tourist country there, and tourists come for the scenery, not to see windmills on the top of our mountain ranges.

I did pay 2.30 for gas yesterday though - woohoo! Regular price was 2.40, but I have a discount card that takes 10 cents off every gallon I buy.

 

[Bioburner]

I would bet that the discount gas cards are going to be reduced soon. Gas dropped again yesterday to 2.19. Almost the same price as propane.

 

[TimfromMA]

I was going to pick up a second stove for downstairs but the recent drop in oil prices has made it more economical just to use oil heat down there.

 

[bcarton]

That is the reason NG isn't available too, except for a few very southern towns - people oppose the running of underground NG pipe that would bring it up further north (further, meaning 30 miles up from the boarder in my case)

Gas pipeline runs straight through our town, and they're talking about running a second pipeline We were never given any choice about this, it was a done deal at the federal level when it was announced and rapidly built 17-18 years ago. NOT EVEN ONE residence, business, or local government building in this town can access the NG in that pipeline. Not even one.

 

[bogieb]

Gas pipeline runs straight through our town, and they're talking about running a second pipeline We were never given any choice about this, it was a done deal at the federal level when it was announced and rapidly built 17-18 years ago. NOT EVEN ONE residence, business, or local government building in this town can access the NG in that pipeline. Not even one.

Well that truly sucks on many levels. I do agree that people should have a say on what goes on/through their own land - and if it goes thru the people/town should benefit from it; Another reason I can understand opposition to Northern Pass, all of that energy goes elsewhere, and none benefits this state.

 

[adam6979]

See pic below click to enlarge:
1 bag of pellets = 2.5 gallons of oil.
So $5.50 = 2.5 x $2.60 = $6.50
So it is still $1.00 cheaper per bag of pellets!

And i'd like to add - spill a barrel of oil on the ground and see what happens... spill a ton of pellets??? get the shovel and use them!

 

[adam6979]

I was going to pick up a second stove for downstairs but the recent drop in oil prices has made it more economical just to use oil heat down there.

I agree with you Tim, but we both know it wont last I actually have plans for buying a third one next spring and then hopefully a forth for the shop before next winter. Going to keep the shop at 50 instead of -5!

 

[Bioburner]

Took a picture of local tank farm. Those gauges are not reading full! Don't ask me why I cant post the picture correctly

 

[prairielife]

I'm curious if propane prices drop inline with oil. I'm watching this link over the winter. http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/heatingoilpropane/#itn-tabs-1

Although I already my pellet supply for the winter and propane would need to be WELL under $2/gal to make me turn on the furnace.

$1.70/gal here at last tank top off of 250 gallons a few weeks ago. We upgraded the propane furnace to a variable fan/modulated burner model this year and it's doing more duty than the pellet stove, but it was the exact opposite two years ago with propane over $3/gallon.

The swings will continue. Best to have multiple heat sources in the long haul.

Will enjoy laying in a significant stash of pellets with low production and transportation costs next summer, for when the graph goes the other direction.

 

[TimfromMA]

Based on current consumption levels, I don't think I will need to buy pellets next year. I will have enough pellets left for another complete heating season.

 

[RickNH]

Based on current consumption levels, I don't think I will need to buy pellets next year. I will have enough pellets left for another complete heating season.

I'm sorry about my ignorance about this as I am new to pellets .. however ... can you safely and economically use pellets that are a year or two old? I have read that the longer you store them the more humidity the absorb and become less effective ... Could someone please comment on this? Just to tring to keep this post on topic .. oil here in seacoast NH is now approaching 2.49. with $6.00 / bag cost for cubex .. my break even (oil vs pellets) is almost equivalent.
(if 1 bag of pellets = 2.5 gallons oil .. (pellets = 6.00 & oil = 6.23 : all other factors equal) So following this logic ... I should keep with the pellets so they don't go bad .. right - not so I save/breakeven on money?

 

[bogieb]

I'm sorry about my ignorance about this as I am new to pellets .. however ... can you safely and economically use pellets that are a year or two old? I have read that the longer you store them the more humidity the absorb and become less effective ... Could someone please comment on this? Just to tring to keep this post on topic .. oil here in seacoast NH is now approaching 2.49. with $6.00 / bag cost for cubex .. my break even (oil vs pellets) is almost equivalent.

I had about 20 bags left over from last heating season and stored them in my basement on a pallet. My basement is fairly damp and the pallet is in the corner that is the dampest.

The bags I stored were Currans, which ran pretty good in my Harman last year. This year I ran those remaining bags, and they ran just fine. Then I got deliveries of this year's Currans in October, and they run like chit. Huge ash, and very heavy residue. Other pellets run fine, with little ash. Tells me that last year's Currans were a better batch than this years and that storing them in a dampish basement did not have a negative effect on the pellets. However, I don't think the Currans bags have those little air holes in them that some pellet bags have (I know the Maine's Choice has those holes), so that may make a difference. Sorry, I'm not home, otherwise I would go check some of those Currans bags.

 

[bags]

Took a picture of local tank farm. Those gauges are not reading full! Don't ask me why I cant post the picture correctly

Bio, I have had the same cocked pic problems. What I figure out was by turning the phone sideways instead of up and down while taking pics they remain right side up. With my IPhone anyway. Somehow it matters.

Back on topic: Screw the oil Co.'s! Look at the price drop. Not complaining about that. Production hasn't changed that drastically or we could have been in this $2.00 per gallon same situation years ago with taking care of business. It's all politics and BS! How many years have we been gouged now? I just paid $2.03 a gal. for gas X-Mas Eve. I also remember paying about $1.89 a gallon in 2001.

Diesel is still higher than gas and it was always cheaper years back. Fuel oil and diesel are almost one in the same. So how is it that fuel oil is still yet cheaper than diesel? And BOTH are a bi-product of refining gas.

 

[TimfromMA]

I'm sorry about my ignorance about this as I am new to pellets .. however ... can you safely and economically use pellets that are a year or two old? I have read that the longer you store them the more humidity the absorb and become less effective ... Could someone please comment on this? Just to tring to keep this post on topic .. oil here in seacoast NH is now approaching 2.49. with $6.00 / bag cost for cubex .. my break even (oil vs pellets) is almost equivalent.
(if 1 bag of pellets = 2.5 gallons oil .. (pellets = 6.00 & oil = 6.23 : all other factors equal) So following this logic ... I should keep with the pellets so they don't go bad .. right - not so I save/breakeven on money?

As long as they are kept dry, pellets will keep forever. Ive burned pellets before that were more than 2 years old and they burned great. I guess it all depends on how you store them.