THINKING OF CONVERTING TO NATURAL GAS?
DON'T!
The gas utility may present natural gas as domestic, eco-friendly and economical, but here are some facts they won't tell you:
Natural gas is a foreign product
- In the last 20 years, the United States has increased gas imports by 188%.
- Imports by pipeline from Canada and Mexico have increased 171%.
- LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) imports from offshore countries increased 734%.
(Source: U.S. Energy Information Agency)
Natural gas is bad for the environment
- Natural gas is made up mostly of methane, which over a 20-year period has 70 times the effect on global warming as carbon dioxide.
- Gas leaks and production create 18 % of the US methane released into the atmosphere. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency)
- The gas industry routinely estimates gas losses of more than 2% a year. Can you imagine your oil dealer losing two gallon of oil every 100 gallons he delivers? (Source: Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis)
Natural gas is expensive
- Over the last 20 years, residential gas prices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have soared over 163%.
- In New Jersey alone, residential gas prices have increased 123% in just the last 7 years.
(Source: U.S. Energy Information Agency)
- Increased reliance on natural gas for electric generation and industrial processing will significantly increase demand over the next several years and prices will likely increase even more with this new demand.
Rather than switching to another energy source, our advice is to invest in conservation, the only proven way to save money while raising the value of your home.
Whether you upgrade your entire heating system or install a programmable thermostat this spring and summer, you will be saving energy come fall. In many cases, there's a quick payback - and the savings will continue year after year.
Conversions may not be as simple or inexpensive as they sound.
Often gas heat providers talk about "free" boiler offers. The truth is these offers are
far from free. Converting to gas often involves hidden costs leading customers to spend
thousands of dollars. The cost of converting to gas includes installing chimney lining, installing the new heating system (plus the cost of the system itself if no "free system" offer is available), and the removal of the oil storage tank. In addition, with a gas heating system, you have to worry about leaks, explosions, and carbon monoxide release without any visible signs.
When it comes to electricity, Oilheat costs less and according to a study by the Oilheat Manufacturers Association, converting from electric to Oilheat has the following benefits:
- Improved comfort - air at the register of an Oilheated system is almost 30 degrees warmer than from a heat pump
- Lower heating costs (up to $70,000 cost savings over 20 years)
- 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by homes
- 90% reduction in ozone and particulate emissions
- Excellent paybacks for homeowners often in only one to three years
Electric Deregulation in Pennsylvania Means Higher Bills
As electric utilities in Pennsylvania become deregulated from local, state, regional and federal authorities, dramatic increases in electric rates have resulted.
Already, in Pennsylvania, consumers have suffered due to expiration of rate caps.
Duquesne Light Company's commercial and industrial customers in the Pittsburgh area reportedly saw
20% to 40% increases in their electricity costs. In 2005, customers in the
Pike County Power & Light Company territory experienced
increases of approximately 70%. With complete deregulation of electric rates in Pennsylvania on January 1, 2011, the era of capped rates in the Commonwealth will be history.
PECO, for instance, estimates that
rates could increase by as much as 20%!
Whether you've already been affected by these increases or are about to be,
now is the time to do something about it. As you read this, we have so many super-efficient heating, cooling and hot water making systems in stock that could help you
lower your energy bills by up to 40% (and don't forget the federal tax credits and manufacturers' rebates for which you may qualify)!
Put your own cap on how much you'll spend for electricity!
For easy advice on how to conserve energy and save money throughout your home, please call us.
Below, based on the Department of Energy's March 2007 Representative Average Unit Costs of Energy you will see that heating oil costs half as much as electricity per one million BTU.
Therefore, it pays to use modern Oilheat because it is
safe, clean, efficient, dependable and economical!
