Oil Vs Propane

LNG24

I am seriously thinking about converting to Propane from Oil.

Why? Well, I have a Gas stove, Gas Barbacue (a big one) and next year I'll have a propane pool heater. Also, I'd really like to get the oil tank out of the garage. I could really use that space.

I have a spot in mind for the propane tank and have a trench open to get a line inside (trench was for a new water line, but while its open I could add to it.)

So my research shows that Oil is MUCH MORE efficiant than propane. My only problem with that is all this 'research" is being provided to be via Oil Companies.

So whats your take? Did you convert and have regrets or no regrets?

Is it really more expensive. I know or see that Oil BTU's are higher than Propane, but does a gallon of propane burn at the same rate that oil does?

I really don't know about this at all so go ahead and Educate Me.

KentWhitten

I'm not so sure about the efficiency rating of oil in that study. I could have missed it long ago, but I always thought oil got around 80% efficiency and that was that. Propane can go higher obviously, like 90%, but I think you pay a premium on your boiler or whatever you're getting there.

I would think the servicing of oil would be a small factor also. We run oil and wood here and have to service the boiler every year. Propane there's not much buildup if I'm not mistaken.

Granted, take these things with a grain of salt, I'm just going from past memory which can be shaky in my case

Nice thing with propane is you can bury the tank also (at least here we can) and like you said, a line to the barby and no more trips to the store for a refill.

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MechanicalDVR

Oil is more efficient than propane and if I was in your area I would stick with oil. Propane is cleaner than oil but it still needs to be serviced annually. If your oil burner doesn't light right off it will puff back and shoot out a cloud of soot, if your Propane burner gets a delay in ignition, you maybe looking for a new place. I put a propane boiler in a house that I had in Va only because I wasn't going to be there a lot and I was more comfortable with propane coming back on in case of a power failure without being reset manually. Also I kept the house at 55F when no body was there. If I was going to live there fulltime I would have used oil.

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LNG24

Thanks Guys,

I was able to find two companies out here that sold both Propane and Oil. Very Rare I guess. The one comapny just started with Oil, but was a propane dealer for many years before. Both companies told me to STAY WITH OIL. They both explaied that Oil burns much more efficiant than Propane, but as stated, Propane is cleaner burning. With Propane beign a little more expensive, and conversion costs running $5-6k including the burring of the tank, I would not see any savings at all.

I have decided to stick with Oil, but I am switching out my oil tank for a skid tank. The 300 gallon skid tank will fit perfectly under the stair landing (its a Raised Ranch) So that will put to use, currently unused space and I will get the space I want. And as one guys said, If I run out of Propane, I am out! If I run out of Oil, I can throw in Kerosene, Vegetable (or was it Corn) Oil etc. Or I can refine my own from the Restaurants.

I'll leave the thread open so others can comment on it.

LNG24

And just a couple of days later a House Explodes!

Burgulars broke into a new homes under construction and stole the gas lines!!!

Workers arrive the next morning and BOOM!. One Dead 4 injured.

747

I feel sorry for both you guys when that oil truck pulls up this winter. $$. I have natural gas.

LNG24

Not sure where you are, but here in Souther NY. Oil is CHEAPER than Propane or Natural Gas. Only thing beating Oil the last three years is ELECTRIC and that on Con Ed!

KillerToiletSpider

Corn is cheaper than all of them. I heat half my house with a corncob burner, I am going to replace that and my natural gas furnace with a corn burner this year or next.

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A flush is better than a full house.

Tmrrptr

Oil is not a contender in my neck of the woods.
Natural gas in the cities, propane in the boonies.
Electric will put you in the poorhouse in just one season!
Wherever you are, if you have existing equipment,
go with the flow. (what everyone else uses.)
r