printable file (pdf) of this page

Today’s high cost of energy together with fluctuating natural gas and fuel oil prices have raised questions at properties that have the ability to use natural gas and either #2 or #6 oil regarding a cost comparison between fuels.

To determine the most cost-effective fuel at any given time, do the following:

1. Check a natural gas bill to determine the cost per therm of natural gas.

2. Multiply the above figure by 10.  Example .75 therm x 10 = $7.50
This is the cost per dekatherm.

3. If #2 oil is used, multiply today’s price $1.1530 x 7.067 = $8.15.  This is the equivalent cost of a dekatherm of gas.

4. If #6 oil is used, multiply today’s price .9819 x 6.689 = $6.57
This is the equivalent cost of a dekatherm of gas.

5. Another way of calculating this would be:

There is approximately 40% more BTU’s in a gallon of #2 oil than in a therm of natural gas.  Take price per therm  and multiply by 1.4 to get equivalent cost of a gallon of #2 oil. (In example above, .75 therm x 1.4 = $1.05 gal.

 6. There is approximately 46% more BTU’s in a gallon of #6 oil than in a therm of natural gas. Take therm price and multiply by 1.46 to get equivalent cost of a gallon of #6 oil.

(In example above .75 per therm x $1.46 = $1.10 gal. Please not that you may use either system 2, 3 and 4 - or 5 and 6. You don't have to use both.

For the above examples, a dual fuel system using natural gas or #2 oil would save by using natural gas. However, a dual fuel system would save using natural gas or #6 oil. Prices should probably be checked weekly to determine the best price.