Electric Or Propane

[big rockpile]

At our Cabin at most altogether we might spent a Month and Half there when we would need Heat.We pay a once a year set Electric Bill adjust if we run over.

Ok last time I stayed there I just used a Buddy Heater,not really the best.Thought about putting a Propane Heater in and running it off a couple 100# Bottles.This is going to cost on set up but not much in long run.

Then I looked at Electric Baseboard Heater much Cheaper to set up but I know it is going to cost more to run.

Any thoughts?

Oh when we build on we are going to Heat with Wood.

big rockpile

[NCLee]

I'd go with propane.

We recently converted our furnace from electric to propane. There's security in having that big tank in the backyard.

When dealing with electric, you're at the mercy of the power lines. Ice storm, hurricane, auto accident -- anything that brings down those lines and you're without heat. A 100 lb cylinder and a heater that doesn't use electricity will keep you warm.

I have two small shops. One is heated with wood and has a gas kitchen stove hooked to a 100 lb cylinder. The other has a space heater hooked to another 100 lb cylinder, along with a 2 burner camper stove. If the power is out, I can still work in either one. And, I can heat water and cook, if needed/wanted for some reason.

And, as you can find them / afford them, you can stockpile filled 100 lb cylinders. No way you can stockpile electricity, unless you setup a battery and solar charging system. Propane doesn't go bad, so even if you don't use it for 5 years, that's OK.

Just my 2-cents.
Lee

[cfabe]

If your electric is reliable - I'd go with electric. Hauling 100lb tanks around to get filled is really a pain. You could always keep one for backup if you wanted... propane doesn't go bad.

[Ross]

For the month and a half you're there I think I'd go electric unless you want the stove and clothes drier options propane can give you. Refrigeration too come to think of it. Pros and cons to both. If you're headed to wood the propane investment is probably wasted.

[Bearfootfarm]

I'd go electric unless you want the stove and clothes drier options propane can give you. Refrigeration too come to think of it.

And hot water when the power is off.

[big rockpile]

We already have a Electric Cook Stove and going with Electric Hot water heater.Don't care for them but feel they last longer and are easy to maintain.We also have Electric for Composting Toilet.

Only had problem with Electric one time.Because we are at the end of the Line Lightning knocked it out so it wasn't reported.Had a mess in the Refridgerator.

I do have a 100# Bottle I can use.Do have two small Propane Heaters here in the house and like them.

big rockpile

[NCLee]

Swap the electric stove for propane! I've had both electric and propane stoves. There's no way that I'd go back to electric after using a gas stove.

And, IMHO, gas stoves last longer. There isn't much that can go wrong with them. I've had to replace burned out eyes on electric. Had to replace the coils in the oven. It's aggravating to say the least to have a pan of biscuits to bake only to discover the oven is dead. Been there. Done that.

Just 2-cents, as you have to make the decision that works best for you.

Lee

[Wis Bang]

We had a 'vent thru the wall' propane heater at our cabin.

It replaced an old Kero stove and the Propane was easier than smelling like spilled Kero [a little goes a long way!] except for the time the local juvenile deliquents stole the tank...

Eventually it rusted from all the dampness and started making a loud boom each time it lit.

Dad was going to replace it w/ a Kero burner from a mobile home 'cept all of those he found were from 'newer' trailers w/ built in ducts and he couldn't find an 'older' style base w/ built in vents...and he remembered the hassel of pouring 5 gal buckets into the 55 gal Kero 'tank'.

Instead he choose electric baseboards. We don't go over the monthly minimum elect bill for a vacation home unless his cousin comes down from Maine for longer than a week and stays there w/ the heat, lights, etc. on alot.

You don't mind getting up knowing that the fire burned out hours ago since the baseboard maintains 60 degrees in the drafty old cabin.

[SolarGary]

Hi,
You can compare the fuel cost for electricity and propane with this calculator:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Referenc...uelCompare.htm

I would not think it would make a lot of difference for month a year.

You may pay premium for filling those 100 lb cylinders compared to a bigger tank.

Gary

[Ken Scharabok]

Locally filling a 100-gallon propane tank is five times the cost of filling a 20-lb one.

Consider an alternative. I wasn't aware of them until recently but they now make window/wall units which are combination heat and a/c. Work well in a room which can be closed off. Sister and BILs unit is electronic with a remote control. Can be set at a desired temperature or even to run for X hours and then shut off. I'm planning to put one in my bedroom next year. Then I can turn off the rest of the mobilehome and just use it at night.