On 10/27/2010 4:31 PM, Tom wrote:
On 10/27/2010 3:50 PM, Frank wrote:
On 10/27/2010 3:35 PM, Tom wrote:
I'm interested in max cost savings for heating. Why is it that hardly nobody
seems to be using kerosene heaters anymore? Is it just because of
inconvenience? Would I save a lot, especially if the commodities speculators
go crazy again soon and drive up the cost of my heating oil?

I have a fairly small house, live alone and keep the thermostat low all
winter. Could I just put a kerosene heater on the cellar's concrete floor and
let the heat rise upstairs? The kerosene would be auxiliary to the main
oil-fired steam boiler.

Thanks.

Not sure you would save any money. Suspect kerosene costs as much as oil.

Personally I don't want to breathe unvented combustion products even if there
are safeguards in place to shut the heater down if it emits carbon monoxide or
oxygen level dips. I also suspect you will generate an off smell from kerosene.

My rich/el cheapo neighbors use an electric blanket and let house temp drop to
50 at night. Also have a supplemental wood burner built into home system and
gets all the wood he needs from his three acres. Tank of oil probably lasts
several years.

thanks for both replies. I was afraid that kerosene prices would be a problem,
except I wondered if greater efficiency (no heat goes up the chimney) could be
a saving factor. Looks like it's me and my own electric blanket again this year.

So a followup: does it really save much fuel to drop the temp overnight? I'll
likely have the thermostat set to 55 all day anyway. If I let the temp drop to
50 overnight, then it can take a long, long time (45 minutes?) just to raise
it from 50 to 55 in the morning. I also had kinda figured that long continuous
stress on the old boiler might be a bad thing, rather than have it come on for
maybe 10 minutes at a time if I keep the thermostat steady.


New oil burners max out at about 85% efficiency. Gas is somewhat
better. Cost of heat depends on where you live.

Programmed thermostat might be good for you. There should be data
available on percent energy saving for every degree drop in temperature.
You will save money.