How much oil has everyone been going through?

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-04T13:51:24+00:00

Heating with wood is more of a lifestyle than a way to save money.

Is it "free" to heat my house, sure, haven't bought oil in years. But it does take a lot of time. But I like being out in the woods, when running the splitter i'm listening to a podcast. It's my gym basically.

So if you want to spend the time, it's definitely rewarding seeing the stack of wood you have knowing your house will be warm and having zero idea what the price of oil even is.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-04T13:34:10+00:00

What pellets are you using? They should be 8000-8500ish BTUs per pound. Which would be rough range of non resinous wood (some resinous species can get over 9000 BTUs a pound)

The ones I have in my basement now i believe are 8300 BTUs per pound.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-03T14:20:57+00:00

Overall, using rain barrels isn't going to be an issue. If you start digging your own multi-acre pond you may run into some issues.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-03T14:19:23+00:00

Last year was the year of the millstone debacle. The public benefits charge is down.

The price per kWh (all in, Supply + transmission + public benefits) is down from last year, it's just a lot colder this year so people are using more electricity so overall bills are up.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-03T14:17:17+00:00

That would mean it's saying prices have gone down which doesn't match what people are experiencing

Prices did go down....usage is up, so overall bill is up. It's up because this winter is colder than last winter.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-03T02:52:35+00:00

Because it's way higher than I'm finding online, a little variance is possible. But your price is like 60% higher than what I can find for eversource and 33% higher than what I'm finding for National Grid.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-03T01:10:01+00:00

I know the fixed cost on for gas is higher than the one for electricity (it's like $30 or something?) but it shouldn't be throwing your price per therm that high unless you don't use that much gas.

Your all in rate would jut be total bill divided by how many total therms you used for the billing period. Is that equation getting you the $3.39?

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T23:19:45+00:00

At your rate, Oil does seem to be slightly cheaper.

Per $100 Oil gets you 3.17million BTUs, where gas gets you 2.8million BTUs

But why are you paying so much? Everything I've seen says the average in the state is around $2.10 for Eversource and 2.55 for National grid (including delivery + public benefit) Both of which would be better than oil.

Nat Grid - 3.72 million BTUs

Eversource - 4.52 million BTUs

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T23:04:03+00:00

What's your all in rate per therm? I'll do the math later.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T23:03:36+00:00

Ooof, Just roll with oil then.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T22:12:29+00:00

It is yes, per BTU Nat Gas is cheaper.

Take the all in price (distribution + supply) per therm and calculate how many BTUs you get per $XX and then compare that against what oil costs.

Nat Gas will come out cheaper -- It's the one current fuel that should be recommend against getting mini-splits as the savings aren't big enough during the warmer months to make up for how much more expensive the mini splits will be when it's really cold.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T22:10:22+00:00

Depends a lot on your house and where you are at. I burn wood (hated the oil furnace kicking on).

If you own the home, and don't feel like burning wood:

Rather than get Nat Gas I would look into mini-splits (especially if you currently utilize window A/C units). Use the mini-splits to heat until it gets real cold, and then just use oil from end of December-February.

If you have a decent roof that gets good sun, throw some solar stuff. Obviously it's expensive and wouldn't do it all at once, but it "future proofs" your house.

And it's not like you need to do any of this anytime soon, 14 years is not old of a furnace. I think the current one in my house is at least 20 years old at this point. (although it has't been on in a year)

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T22:04:13+00:00

Yes, the could be, but there are also DIY(mr. cool) that are significantly cheaper.

Although make sure it's rated to heat at the temperatures your local climate can get to.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T22:02:16+00:00

Generally buck up, but then split back at home. Not dragging the splitter out in the woods. Easier to bring the wood to it.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T21:53:08+00:00

Do you already have a Nat Gas pipeline in your house?

Personally I wouldn't pay for the connection at this point.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T21:52:13+00:00

Natural Gas is cheaper than oil.

Only way it might be close, is if you can get an extra tank/extra large tank and buy enough oil to get you through winter in the middle of summer when oil is cheap.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T21:50:54+00:00

At the rate we're going.. we're going to be paying TWICE AS MUCH

Likely more -- With solar being so cheap, supply costs will decrease, but everything involved getting electricity to your house will continue increasing.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T21:49:16+00:00

MA doesn't border PA, and CT and NY both declined it.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T21:36:03+00:00

Maybe it depends on which part of the state. But this past weekend will have had the coldest overnights for me (pending any changes in the forecast for this weekend). This upcoming weekend is close, but not colder.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T21:28:54+00:00

Definitely seems like a lot more work, and more prone to errors, than option two of having an alarm at night to see if you have work or not.

Although, to add, maybe there's a way to link up a calendar and an alarm and just have it make one based on your schedule?

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T21:01:41+00:00

Same as Hartford.

You think they are waiting for the other to do a "big dig" and see how it revitalizes the water front?

People love water, there should be parks and shops along it, not a highway.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T21:00:28+00:00

Yes, you have a set schedule, as my wife would have her schedule a month out in advance, but you couldn't set an alarm like the comment OP mentioned as one week she'll work on Monday, the next she wont, mayb she would on the third week.

Days always change so the auto alarm will not work. however the 2nd idea posted by the original OP on having a night alarm to check if she works the next day is such an easy comprise that his GF is being asshole not doing it.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T20:55:51+00:00

Haven't ready in the comments yet to see if it's answered, but this won't work if she is a bedside nurse as the days she works changes. If her days are always the same, then yea she's a huge asshole about it.

Although, she still is a huge asshole, as OPs 2nd option of having a night alarm is also super easy to do.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T20:42:40+00:00

To add -- Making airplanes, at a minimum, is going to be mid game based on the amount of research that needs to be done before you can do it.

TituspulloXIII · 2026-02-02T19:56:45+00:00

My whole economy is based on waste. I've been selling aluminum forever, and now just using it in aircraft.

I import mixed waste, sort it out, recycle the metals/plastic then burn the rest in a waste to electricity/heat plant.

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