Paul M. Eldridge wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:20:17 -0800, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Paul M. Eldridge wrote:
On Sat, 05 Jan 2008 08:51:41 -0800, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
[...]
Gut rule of thumb here in Portland, Oregon, where we are generally
without the benefit of heap BPA hydro is that gas in a 90% or 95%
efficient furnace is cheaper, by a long margin, than an electric ea pump with supplmental
resistance heat....
Hi Jim,
It might be helpful if we take a closer look at the numbers. The
trailing block rate for residential customers who opt for PGE's
standard domestic service pay $0.09246 per kWh ($0.07471 per kWh for
the first 250 kWh/month), so a heat pump with a HSPF of 8.5 (Zone IV)
would provide heat at an effective cost of just 3.7 cents per kWh(e).
For those not be familiar with the term, HSPF or Heating Seasonal
Performance Factor is defined as "the total space heating required
during the space heating season, expressed in Btu’s, divided by the
total electrical energy consumed by the heat pump system during the
same season, expressed in watt-hours."
Source: ARI Standard 210/240-2006
It's important to note that this seasonal average cost of 3.7 cents
per kWh includes the cost of supplemental or backup electric
resistance heat -- the HSPF rating incorporates this additional backup
heat into the final numbers.
In terms of natural gas, according to the DOE, Oregon residents paid
an average of a $1.43 per therm in 2006 (the average cost as of
October 2007 was $1.56).
That average cost as of October, 2007, does NOT repeat NOT take into
account the NWNG petiion o Oregon PUC to REDUCE (yes, reduce) the gas
rates in the NWNG service area as of 1 Decmber 2007.
Hi Jim,
You indicate rates were reduced December 1st, but you didn't say by
how much. If you can kindly provide me with the current cost per
therm/CCF, I'd be pleased to rework the numbers based on this new
rate.
Paul -
I dug aound the web site for the local gas company
(Northwest Natural Gas, Portlad, Or) and came across their Oregon Tariff
Schedule.
The price reduction was actually 1 November 2007, not 1 December 2007.
The link to the tariff is:
https://www.nwnatural.com/CMS300/upl...iles/242ai.pdf
I am giving you that as I am not really sure how to read the tariff.
It seeems that you havea lot more skill at that than I do.
If I am reading the Oregon Tariff schedule correctly, the current
per Therm cost for residential gas service is $ 1.22449.
I am looking for my local electric utility rate (Portland Geeral
Electric) and
will shoot that out to you as soon as I find it. PGE's rates are at
besyt byzantine.
By the way, thanks for the ongoing education.