What is most popular form of heating in Nova Scotia homes?
Oil fired heating is the most popular. There are two types, hot water baseboard and forced hot air. Electric would be next. Oil has been cheaper but with rising oil costs this may not be the case right now. Electric has no maintenance and has thermostats in every room. Electricity costs are controlled by the Provincial government. When Nova Scotia Power wants to increase prices they have to apply and go through a hearing process. For the last number of years NS Power has been granted increases because of rising oil costs. Much of the electricity in Nova Scotia is generated using oil. Beginning in 2008 a formula for tying electrical rate increases to costs of oil will be implemented. Time will tell if this is a good or a bad thing for home owners. Most newer houses have oil heat but there is currently a trend developing towards installing electric heat in new houses. In new houses with oil the furnaces are leased and the monthly cost assumed by the buyer. This cost is between $70 and $1
Oil fired heating is the most popular. There are two types, hot water baseboard(HWBB) and forced hot air(FHA). Electric would be next. Oil has been cheaper but with rising oil costs this may not be the case right now. Electric has no maintenance and has thermostats in every room. Electricity costs are controlled by the Provincial Government. When Nova Scotia Power wants to increase prices they have to apply and go through a hearing process. For the last number of years NS Power has been granted increases because of rising oil costs. Much of the electricity in Nova Scotia is generated using oil. Beginning in 2008 a formula for tying electrical rate increases to costs of oil will be implemented. Many newer houses have oil heat but there is currently a trend developing towards installing electric heat and heat pumps in new houses. The cheapest form of heating in Nova Scotia is a heat pump but it is also the most expensive to purchase. A heat pump will also provide air conditioning. In new
