HappyCamper wrote: I personally think this bites as Colorado has not seen the severe cold that say Chicago has.
To me this is like price gouging before a hurricane I would think that local propane companies should not charge more until they run out of the lower rate that they bought and move to the more expensive propane to fill their supply but that is just my opinion.
The only problem with your theory is they (suppliers) have committed to some customers a guaranteed price on a monthly budget plan for 12 months. I suppose they could hedge that with futures contracts, not sure how it works. So the other customers have to pay up.
Regarding efficiency of electric heaters, they are all basically 100%, but the comfort factor is better with radiant heat vs. forced air, sorta like sunshine... it feels good!
I suppose models with a fan lose some efficiency, but pretty small.
If you want to be, press one. If you want not to be, press 2
Republicans are red, democrats are blue, neither of them, gives a flip about you.
RidgeWay wrote: When you cut wood look at the exercise you get and even a plus if you are doing wildfire mitigation at the same time. Maybe wood isn't as efficient but neither are many of the homes that are 2x4 construction and not much insulation. If we were really cost conscious and environmentally concerned more people would have builders face the main rooms south to take advantage of the sun and really reduce costs.
I have to agree with you. There are a lot of intangibles that go along with burning cord wood for heat.
Either way I am going to have use my time to purchase fuel for heat if I am sitting at a desk or out in the woods cutting firewood. The quality of the tools used to cut and process firewood matter as well. Top of the line chainsaws and hydraulic splitters increase your productivity and effectively reduce the amount of time spent cutting wood making firewood cheaper if you can do it yourself. Woodstoves have greatly improved as well. My new stove has a 80% efficiency rating this new efficiency means I need less wood to heat the same area. What my new stove uses in 8 hours my old stove burned every hour.
With the price of propane rising the way it is you could buy a nice new woodstove at 3k and it will pay for itself in 90 days. The last time I purchased propane was February of 2011.
It seems that every year some propane companies will raise rates and then talk to customers about stopping further increases by purchasing a one year plan. My family doesn't bite. Prices usually come back down about the time they need a refill. Best move is to not have to refill during the winter if at all possible.
"By Erik Ortiz, Staff Writer, NBC News
America’s chronic cold is creating a significant propane shortage across the Midwest — leading Wisconsin to become the latest state to declare an energy emergency in advance of more arctic air blasting eastward this week.
Freezing temperatures, snowfall and delayed flights are just some of what an arctic air mass has brought the country.
Some 14 million Americans who rely on that type of fuel have been shelling out more and more to heat their homes while the strong demand has outpaced the already-low inventories, energy officials say.
Twenty-four states, including Ohio, Illinois and Alabama, have already declared energy emergencies — which helps to loosen transportation rules so that out-of-state truckers can drive longer hours to make needed propane deliveries. "...
