Cost of Heating Oil

Olaf · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:02 pm Post subject: Cost of Heating Oil

I don't know about everyone else, but when heating oil costs nearly double over three heating seasons, it is time to get worried.

2003 - $1.20/gallon here
2004 - $1.60/gallon
2005 - $2.30/gallon

Olaf
_________________
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry David Thoreau

gego · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Mar 03, 2005 Posts: 1334

Incomes have not and will not keep pace with these increased costs, so you can see how the dieoff will develop. Eventually families will not have enough income to pay for all the increased costs associated with declining energy production, and will be forced to do without. Doing without will ultimately have a deleterious effect on survival and the grave yards will start to fill up until population is down to a sustainable level given the reduced resource base.

There will be many invisible deaths occuring behing closed doors, first with the elderly and poor, but increasingly with the former middle class. But don't worry about the government people, cause they will take enough to keep themselves safe until even they find it difficult to make it.

Olaf · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:13 pm Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil

I was speaking with a co-worker of mine about this and how it affects fixed income elderly especially. Apparently certain low income brackets of elderly receive a stipend to subsidize their fuel expenses (not sure if state or federal program). He indicated to me that this program had remained at a constant funding level with everyone getting the same amount over the last few years, despite the changes in fuel cost. as indicated previously, this will greatly impact the elderly earlier than some others.

Olaf
_________________
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry David Thoreau

bruin · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil

Many will most likely move as well to warmer areas.

GoIllini · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 05, 2005 Posts: 573

Ludi · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil

falser · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:30 pm Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil

For as long as I can remember natural gas heating has been significantly cheaper than electric. Has this come into alignment now? I happen to be in an apartment with electric heat, will I be spared the excess cost this winter?

MD · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil

aflatoxin · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 258

MD · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil

joewp · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:08 pm Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil

hoplite · Heavy Crude Joined: Oct 22, 2004 Posts: 300

HUrry, call the WAMBULANCE! If they all had invested in efficient (90+%) systems instead of band-aiding 20+ year old equipment the price increase would be manageable. I don't feel sorry for the idiot proles that can't see past their TV guide sitcom schedule. Let'em freeze.

JBinKC · Heavy Crude Joined: Aug 14, 2004 Posts: 251

It looks like the geothermal heat pump business will be booming

basil_hayden · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:36 am Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil

Let's get real for a moment:

If folks can't afford a tank full of oil, they certainly can't afford a geothermal heat pump system, or a move to a warmer climate.

Having a 90%+ efficient burner in my home isn't going to stop me from paying double the cost of last year's oil bill.

Electric space heaters and the associated electric cost will still be more expensive than a full oil tank.

Speaking from personal experience, it is obvious that something has got to give this winter in the Northeast US - if I have to pay double gasoline and oil bills, other perks will be cut out of the picture, like cable tv, phone, and any food besides chicken and hot dogs. I predict the thermostat will be set at 55F in my home this winter, and I have plenty of sweaters and two Siberian Huskies to keep me warm.

I guess the decision to sign a lock-in contract is now made - time to lock in at 2.25 per gallon and hope the supply is there when it's needed, like February.

It appears I'll survive, but I worry about the retired and elderly. Dieoff scenarios always affect the youngest and oldest first.

MD · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Cost of Heating Oil