Electric boiler in the northeast - am I insane?

[eegulz]

I currently have an oil boiler system for heat that distributes hot water to baseboards. It needs to be replaced but I would like to get away from oil because its dirty, expensive and I can't shop for homeowner's insurance because the tank is buried. Natural gas is not available because of where my house is located. I could use propane but i want to convert the basement to living space and would feel better with a system that doesn't burn fuel.
When I mention switching to electric, I am told my costs would skyrocket. (Considering what I've been spending on oil I find this extremely hard to believe.) Is there anyone in the colder zones using an electric boiler system that could comment on the costs? Or is there anyone who knows how to calculate expected running costs?
Thanks so much!

 

[davper]

Here is a good chart on what each fuel type will cost you AFTER, you have that heating system in place. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mass-projected-household-heating-costs

You have to factor in the cost of converting to that heating source. You now have Hot Water Baseboard. If you go to electric, you have to replace all them to electric baseboard. Will your electric panel handle the load? If not, that needs an upgrade.

I had electric and didn't think the monthly cost was that high. I did love that I could control the temp in each room.

 

[firefly_ris]

Where in the northeast? My parents are in Maryland and they also do not have natural gas in their neighborhood. They have a propane tank to run a few fireplaces and the cooktop, everything else in the house is electric (heat pumps, water heater). It's forced air though. They used to have oil as well as a backup/For really low temps but they got rid of it about 10 years ago, I don't think they regret it. I am not sure how crazy their bills are, but they live in a pretty large house and don't complain much...

My grandparents had electric baseboard in their house and I think it was not that expensive ,although their house was 1000 square feet.

 

[eegulz]

Thanks so much for the information - that is a great article! Just to be clear, I would be keeping the baseboards and switching from an oil boiler to an electric boiler. I would not be getting electric baseboards. I think that the electric boiler setup is unusual. Maybe its used more frequently in industrial/commercial settings than in residential ones?

 

[eegulz]

We are just outside of Philly. It is a big house - about 5000 sf. I think the current boiler is 250,000 btu but I'm not certain about that.

 

[Tinknalli]

We are in VT, so much colder. When we built our house in 2006 we installed an oil boiler with baseboard hot water. Within 2 years the cost of oil was high enough where we added a pellet furnace that is forced hot air. We burn pellets most of the winter, but still use the oil in the late fall and early spring as needed. We love the warmth of pellets. Take a little time to explore alternative methods and see if they might be an option for you.

 

[davper]

Thanks so much for the information - that is a great article! Just to be clear, I would be keeping the baseboards and switching from an oil boiler to an electric boiler. I would not be getting electric baseboards. I think that the electric boiler setup is unusual. Maybe its used more frequently in industrial/commercial settings than in residential ones?

From Radiontec.com
https://www.radiantec.com/product-category/electric-boilers/

Is Electricity the best Choice for Me?
Many people ask us if electricity is an affordable way to heat their homes, shops, and garages. This really depends on the cost per kwh vs. other fuel options in your area. We have a guide that compares all of your options based on those prices. Call us for assistance at 800-451-7593!

 

[amcnj]

A lot depends on the cost of electricity in your area.

Maybe your utility company can help you figure the cost to operate if you know the specs on the unit you are considering.

 

[TheGecko]

No way an electric boiler is going to be cheaper (if you can even find one), and I really do not think you will get the heat output of oil or Natural gas in anything reasonable to install. People who go electric usually go heat pump or geothermal which uses some electric components.

Oil has creeped up (a couple years back it was running under 1.60 a gallon probably closer to 2.60 this year), but it still could be your best bet if Natural gas is not available.

As for the buried oil tank, even if you convert you will still need to get it out of the ground to sell the house or change insurance. You cannot get a new policy/mortgage with tanks in the ground.

 

[Takeme2WDW]

Where in the northeast? My parents are in Maryland and they also do not have natural gas in their neighborhood. They have a propane tank to run a few fireplaces and the cooktop, everything else in the house is electric (heat pumps, water heater). It's forced air though. They used to have oil as well as a backup/For really low temps but they got rid of it about 10 years ago, I don't think they regret it. I am not sure how crazy their bills are, but they live in a pretty large house and don't complain much...

My grandparents had electric baseboard in their house and I think it was not that expensive ,although their house was 1000 square feet.

I currently have an oil boiler system for heat that distributes hot water to baseboards. It needs to be replaced but I would like to get away from oil because its dirty, expensive and I can't shop for homeowner's insurance because the tank is buried. Natural gas is not available because of where my house is located. I could use propane but i want to convert the basement to living space and would feel better with a system that doesn't burn fuel.
When I mention switching to electric, I am told my costs would skyrocket. (Considering what I've been spending on oil I find this extremely hard to believe.) Is there anyone in the colder zones using an electric boiler system that could comment on the costs? Or is there anyone who knows how to calculate expected running costs?
Thanks so much!

Regarding your buried oil tank - when I lived in NJ, the State Dept. of Environmental Protection had a program that provided homeowners with grant money to have the buried tanks removed at very little cost. A list of approved contractors was provided and the process was very easy. So maybe check to see if something similar is available in your state.

 

[_19disnA]

If you live in an older home that doesn't have the insulation of newer construction, electric heat would be very expensive. What do your neighbors have? That is where I would start if natural gas isn't available and you want to make a switch. At least you would get some actual alternatives and real figures from those living near you. Doubt there is any easy 'formula' you will find online since it depends a lot on the specific energy efficiency of your home (things like R-value of insulation for ceilings/walls, how many windows, how well they seal....etc.)

 

[Pooh2]

We had electric heat and hot water when we bought our house (NH). The electric bill was crazy.
We put in an oil boiler when oil was cheap.
When it went to $5/gallon one winter, we put in a woodstove.
We love the woodstove and use mostly woodbricks.
As an above poster does, we use the oil heat early and late in the season when we just want to warm things up a bit in the mornings.
I would never go back to electric heat.

 

[seashoreCM]

An electric boiler for hydronic (FHW) space heating is essentially the same thing as an electric water heater except with higher wattage elements.

I have seen descriptions of a gas water heater used exclusively as a boiler for a very small heated space. Such usage does void the warranty on the heater.

Unlke electric (resistance) baseboards, hydronic baseboards do not pose a fire hazard.

Do you have space for a free standing (e.g. 275 gallon) fuel oil tank for a new oil burner?

 

[tvguy]

A lot depends on the cost of electricity in your area.

Maybe your utility company can help you figure the cost to operate if you know the specs on the unit you are considering.

That would be the first thing to investigate, the cost of electricity. I have family all across Canada and by a small majority they use natural gas, the next biggest group uses electricity, one uses propane and one uses wood.