Quote:
Whoa... Something is way off here.
Propane @ 1.90 per gallon???? That is cheap. Are you sure???
What is your electric KW cost????
1 gallon of propane contains 92000 btu's of heat
1 KW of electricity is 3400 btu's
Electric heat is usually more efficient than propane but it is very rarely cheaper.
I doubt your assumption that propane heat is more expensive than electric heat.
Without knowing your KW rate and the type of heating system you have I
can't be sure.
You are correct about the incubator. It actually is helping heat your house.
Let's do the math:
Assuming your bator is 50 watts then it is producing 170 btus (max) per hour.
(Assuming the heater is always on - It isn't but let's just use this)
After running for 541 hours (22.5 days) your bator causes you to use 1 less
gallon of propane. So, if you set up 200 bators you can heat your house and
feed your town. SOunds good to me.
If I am understanding it right most propane furnaces are about 85% efficient (15% goes up the chimney) while the local electricians claim that electric heat is at least theoretically 100% efficient
So: 1 gallon propane @92,000 btu's delivers 78,200 btu's (I know some are better)
78,200/3400=23 KW
I currently pay $.0688/KWH (And cheaper if you have electric heat with a separate meter: $.05/KWH I think)
23 X $.0688=$1.58
I realize that my comparison is a bit simplified and my coment about the incubator heat was meant a bit facetiously
I think the electrical companies have already petitioned the public service commission for a cent or cent and a half increase.
PS: propane went to $1.95 today two years ago you could fill in the off season for about 65 cents per gallon
Whoa... Something is way off here.
Propane @ 1.90 per gallon???? That is cheap. Are you sure???
What is your electric KW cost????
1 gallon of propane contains 92000 btu's of heat
1 KW of electricity is 3400 btu's
Electric heat is usually more efficient than propane but it is very rarely cheaper.
I doubt your assumption that propane heat is more expensive than electric heat.
Without knowing your KW rate and the type of heating system you have I
can't be sure.
You are correct about the incubator. It actually is helping heat your house.
Let's do the math:
Assuming your bator is 50 watts then it is producing 170 btus (max) per hour.
(Assuming the heater is always on - It isn't but let's just use this)
After running for 541 hours (22.5 days) your bator causes you to use 1 less
gallon of propane. So, if you set up 200 bators you can heat your house and
feed your town. SOunds good to me.
If I am understanding it right most propane furnaces are about 85% efficient (15% goes up the chimney) while the local electricians claim that electric heat is at least theoretically 100% efficient
So: 1 gallon propane @92,000 btu's delivers 78,200 btu's (I know some are better)
78,200/3400=23 KW
I currently pay $.0688/KWH (And cheaper if you have electric heat with a separate meter: $.05/KWH I think)
23 X $.0688=$1.58
I realize that my comparison is a bit simplified and my coment about the incubator heat was meant a bit facetiously
I think the electrical companies have already petitioned the public service commission for a cent or cent and a half increase.
PS: propane went to $1.95 today two years ago you could fill in the off season for about 65 cents per gallon
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