On Fri, May 6, 2011 at 2:27 PM, Mark E. Skeels wrote: > Why is it that using oil for heat is prevalent in the east? It's a combination of cold winters and lack of alternatives. In the Northeast picture -10F at night and 20F above in the areas not immediately adjacent to the relatively temperate Atlantic coastline combined with few alternatives to oil and it's a recipe for craziness. In Maine we didn't even have a pipeline to bring gas into the area until 2000 -- let alone a distribution system in the few urban areas. My understanding is that we use the most heating oil per capita in the nation. While we have abundant and reasonably priced wood, many people don't want the maintenance hassle and those who don't mind sometimes have to deal with grief from neighbors and politicians about the pollution. My personal preference is a wood fired boiler or wood stove with oil backup but the upfront costs are expensive, it's high maintenance -- and it still involves oil. -Jeff --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .