Cheaper Oil for Fuel?

HappyMan

Hello, I was reading the threads relating to this forum with interest. I have personally looked at alternative options other than oil, but like most thinks - cost is a factor. Recently I invited representatives from solar power companies and we were shocked at the cost and the time it would take to recuperate the expense. We both recognise the benefits, not when it will mean a substantial amount of our monthly income.

I have considered speaking to my neighbours with the view of starting a syndicate. Have any of you experience; organising or being part of a syndicate? What were the pro’s and con’s?

I have been using CPS for number of years, making payment via DD. I have been advised that this isn’t the best way to pay for oil, especially in today’s climate – shop around. Why, when all I do is contact CPS and they deliver the oil?

I look forward to your comments.

ANDY597

Cardew wrote: »

Welcome to the forum.


So oil is approx 60% more expensive to run than gas
.

Hey there, Im not doubting your maths, but are you sure, I have oil central heating and would reckon that its on par with what I used at my old mains gas property. New place is larger too.

I wouldnt say there is much to choose between the two.

However, LPG on the other hand, Im with you a 100%.

oap

Hi, does anybody know anybody who has the new type electric boiler, with which you replace your old oil, or gas or whatever boiler? Apparently it runs the existing radiators at a much reduced cost to oil or gas, but we do not know anyone who has one? Thank you, Regards oap

moonrakerz

ANDY597 wrote: »

Hey there, Im not doubting your maths, but are you sure, I have oil central heating and would reckon that its on par with what I used at my old mains gas property. New place is larger too.

.

"If you have a highly efficient gas boiler and your future oil boiler is old and inefficient you could be looking at triple the running costs. The other way around and the costs would be similar."

(copyright: Cardew)

fonesolo

:cool:Hi all,
just a poser for you. With the government relaxing alittle bit on producing biofuel, (i.e., can now produce 2500 liters annually free of tax) is it possible to use as home heating oil. Could it be done? Would any modifications have to take place in the boiler? I ask this cos there are some affordable units on the market for producing biodiesel. If l was producing it to run my car on it, what problems are likely to occur should l try to run it in my oil boiler?

philkenning

domestic boilers are fitted with burner jets to burn kerosene which has a different viscosity to diesel (gas oil) but presumably if you were to have different jets fitted then you should be ok. Its an interesting question but I would want to be making significant savings before using a pretty much untested fuel in an expensive car engine!

oap

Hello again,I assume nobody has heard of the new electric boilers then? My friend paid £540 for 1000 litres of oil today, this is getting beyond a joke!! oap

Cardew

oap wrote: »

Hello again,I assume nobody has heard of the new electric boilers then? My friend paid £540 for 1000 litres of oil today, this is getting beyond a joke!! oap

If these boilers are what I think you mean. there are loads of posts about these, with a few salesmen trying to sing their praises; and those of us who understand electricity ripping them to pieces.

Essentially ALL electric heating is 100% efficient*. So regardless if you use these much hyped new systems, or your Granny's old 1/2/3 bar fire, they all produce exactly the same amout of heat for your money.

* The exception is the Ground Source Heat Pump(GSHP) or Air Source Heat Pumps(ASHP) which can produce more heat from each unit of electricity.

Let us know what "new electric boiler" you mean.

oilbaron

Hello everyone, first post written with shakey hands!


My wife and I did a few sums over the weekend and estimated our monthly outgoings. A whopping £3,500. WITHOUT a mortgage.

After we got up again we noticed the major culprit as the oil usage, at c. £1,000 pcm.

This is ridiculous and we need to rethink! I have spoken to a couple of suppliers locally and they say that people are 'switching off' as they simply can't afford to heat their homes at 56p per litre. Both also say the trend is to continue skyward!

So has anyone explored other means? We can't get gas. I've even thought of replacing all our current traditional radiators with electric Thermapanel ones - does anyone care to draw a rough comparison at running costs? Or perhaps some of you have considered green energy? I'd really appreciate some pointers on this, especially wind/solar.

Sorry for all the questions!

Cardew

oilbaron wrote: »

Hello everyone, first post written with shakey hands!


My wife and I did a few sums over the weekend and estimated our monthly outgoings. A whopping £3,500. WITHOUT a mortgage.

After we got up again we noticed the major culprit as the oil usage, at c. £1,000 pcm.

This is ridiculous and we need to rethink! I have spoken to a couple of suppliers locally and they say that people are 'switching off' as they simply can't afford to heat their homes at 56p per litre. Both also say the trend is to continue skyward!

So has anyone explored other means? We can't get gas. I've even thought of replacing all our current traditional radiators with electric Thermapanel ones - does anyone care to draw a rough comparison at running costs? Or perhaps some of you have considered green energy? I'd really appreciate some pointers on this, especially wind/solar.

Sorry for all the questions!

Welcome to the forum.

Several points to consider.

Firstly £1,000 a month for oil?

Even at 56p a litre that equates to approx 18,000kWh - a month!!!

Considering that the average household uses 20,500kWh of gas a year, your level of energy use is prodigious and with any sort of fuel running costs will be huge.

So I suggest the first thing is to see why you are using so much energy - insulation, boiler efficiency, pattern of use etc. If your boiler is really old and inefficient a new boiler will reduce running costs a great deal.

Forget any form of conventional electric heating(thermopanels, electric radiators etc) running on a daytime electricity tariff as they will double your costs. There is a mass of misleading advertising blurb about these new systems - designed to confuse.

Storage heating will be cheaper than oil, especially if you have an old inefficient boiler, but you pay more for all daytime elctricity and they can be a pain to use, and run out of heat if you are at home during the day.

You could look at the possibility of a Ground Source Heat Pump(GSHP) especially one with a thermal store. Expensive to install but promises low running costs.

Lastly forget any form of solar/wind. They are frankly little better than a joke in money saving terms.(stand by for protests from those who have 'invested')