Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook

Energy Information Administration ^ | October 7, 2008 | Energy Information Administration

[Realism]

Much better efficiency than a forced air, IIRC.

Yeah, my system is going to be turning 25 years, it's getting toward retirement time. I currently looking at either ultra efficient or combined heat and power with indirect domestic HW.

[thackney]

Too bad those PV panels don’t work with snow on them.

[Realism]

A roof rake and 15 mins., their back in action.

[thackney]

Too bad you cannot rig up something like a rapper used in ash control to shake it off when it starts coming down.

[wtc911]

I'm on LI. We heat with oil, always have. It was time to replace the boiler so we looked into NG (already in the house for cooking & water heater).

We nixed the NG idea when we found out that the local Grid charges a 'fair weather surcharge' that adds cost to warm day billing. (iow...if we see a ten day warm spell in January then we get hit with a punishment fee to make up for the energy we are not using).

I have a fireplace insert that heats most of the house until mid-November. I don't let the burner/boiler kick in until then.

[Red Badger]

...if we see a ten day warm spell in January then we get hit with a punishment fee to make up for the energy we are not using)

What kind of idiocy is that???????? How can people put up with such stupidity?...............

[Realism]

Ive considered running heat tape along the underside of the panels to melt it off, but decided against going thru with it.

[thackney]

I would be concerned about an ice build up just off the panels.

[wtc911]

Nearly every new house in this area is heated with NG. The owners have no options. The state approves the rates behind closed doors. There is no regulating of heating oil. Taxes yes but no price fixing.

[Realism]

Naw, its a Barn/pool house. The only reason I go out there in the winter when I need to remove snow.