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GBlist: Need some quick advice



Message text written by "Jim (James G) Hardwick CPA"
>
1-Given that I know the ratings of the units (efficiency) I am looking at,
what is the formula or ratio for comparing the energy value of oil vs LP?
Fred is already saying that if we use a 90% eff LP unit, we can reduce the
required size of the furnace a good deal, to 125K or below.  I would like
to compare what our costs will be, given current local prices of oil @
85/gal & LP @ 95/gal.  Of course they vary maddeningly during the season.<


        Oil     Propane
Cost of fuel per gallon 0.85    0.95
Btus per gallon 138000  92000
Efficiency      0.85    0.9
Cost per million Btus   7.246376812     11.47342995

Oil=$7.25 per million Btus
Propane=$11.47 per million Btus

2-Does anyone have any specific hot recommendations on what they might do
under the circumstances to achieve state of the art, now or in the future?
If time allows, I want to do the best I can from an energy efficiency & a
cost standpoint, so your asap advice will be much appreciated.
        2a-What mfr is currently state of the art in gas/LP high
efficiency?  We do like our high E Trane gas furnace in our house, quiet &
reliable for 7 years (even went thru a recall on the heat exchanger sev yrs
ago).

Go with a good oil furnace like a Thermopride.  Be very careful about how
the A/C drain is plumbed.  Reduce your building load.  


3-to keep the water sourcing option open, is there anything to consider/do
now?

Water source as a retrofit is very tricky.  The low temperature air coming
out of the heat pump may require changes to the building load, the duct
system size and register placement.  Not simple in a retrofit.

<

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