| Most consumers when inquiring about a new | | | | each of these items. I guess you could calculate all |
| source of heat for their home is going to ask | | | | of this out by first find out what each heating |
| friends, or do a general search of the web and | | | | source costs for its corresponding unit (gal, cord, |
| get other peoples opinions about what is the most | | | | therm) and then do some math until you get a |
| efficient source of heat. What most people don't | | | | BTU's per dollar and then do some more math |
| think about is that different forms of heat in | | | | and figure out which heating type is the most |
| different areas can be vastly different. If you | | | | efficient for your area at your prices. |
| have gas heat for you home the price per therm | | | | This is a little too much research and math for |
| (100 cubic feet) may be very different than on | | | | most people. However, there is a very easy |
| the other side of the country. | | | | solution to this problem. A calculator created by |
| First of all lets take a look at some of the heat | | | | Pristine Sweeps in Seattle will help you research |
| value or BTU ratings (British Thermal Unit, or the | | | | your heating type (or provide nationwide |
| amount of heat it takes to raise one pound of | | | | averages for each cost) calculate your BTU's per |
| water one degree Fahrenheit) of a few different | | | | dollar and show you your savings ratio in under 30 |
| heat sources: | | | | seconds. You can find the link below |
| Natural Gas: 100,000 BTU's per Therm (100 cubic | | | | For most of these items you should consult your |
| feet) | | | | current bill for whatever type of heat you use, |
| Electricity: 3,413 BTU's per Kwh | | | | figure out the unit cost and then compare it to |
| Heating Oil: 138.690 BTU's per Gallon | | | | the type of firewood you have, are looking to |
| Propane: 91,500 BTU's per Gallon | | | | purchase, or whatever you can find in your area. |
| Kerosene: 131,890 BTU's per Gallon | | | | A good spot to find general prices and species of |
| Firewood: 13,000,000-30,000,000 BTU's per Cord | | | | wood in your area is to check craigslist and type |
| (depending on species) | | | | in "firewood" |
| So what does this mean? Short of just choosing | | | | If you are planning on using your fireplace, |
| the one with the highest BTU value this doesn't | | | | chimney, wood stove, or pellet stove make sure |
| really give you a good cost comparison at all. Not | | | | you have a chimney technician do a thorough |
| only that but maybe you don't know prices for | | | | inspection and possibly a sweep before use! |