off topic: Energy cost / efficiency

[Mechanic80]

I hope I'm posting this correctly! In New Mexico here above 7000' winters are not severe (-10 is a rarity) but linger longer than what is "normal." In a WELL insulated new home (R50 roof. 28 wall, 21 floor approx) I'm debating on an electric furnace vs. a propane unit. Propane costs almost twice as much as natural gas per therm here and is only 90% as efficient as natural gas. It seems clear to me that electric heat would be as or more efficient, cost-wise, as LP. I rather doubt that an a/c will even be needed as temps rarely exceed 90 degrees in the summer and always cool off considerably at night.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
We plan to have our home built by Karsten as early as this summer; 1900sq.ft., 9' flat ceilings, dual pane insulated windows.... the whole package. Am I overdoing the insulation package? Standard is 38/18/14.

[Robert]

Hi,

Moving this to mobile home repair forum for more views and better replies as I am recovering from surgery I had Thursday.


Please follow it there.



Thanks,
Robert

[Greg]

Hi & welcome. I would contact your utility company and see if they have any estimated usage charts, that should give you a ballpark of yearly costs. Greg

[steve]

IF YOU ARE STARTING FROM SCRATCH ....CHECK OUT GOETHERMAL SYSTEMS
YOU GET HEAT AND AIR FOR THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST USING THE GROUND TEMP OF 55 AS BASE

[Greg]

Geothermal is a great idea, but around here WAY out of the price range for most of us. A friend just priced a system, $20k for a basic system. Greg