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Convert to gas.  I had a three storey with tenants on the ground floor.  I controlled the thermostat.  It was a very old gas forced air heating system.  I kept it between 66 and 71 degrees. The combination of that and the gas hot water heater ran $1,700-1,900 A YEAR.

6:13 PM 02/05/2013 | 0 Votes

install honeywell red link termostat system. it is far superior to nest. 

12:31 AM 02/06/2013 | 0 Votes

I have a 5 story brownstone.  From 1/15 to 1/26, I consumed 200 gallons also.  That week  was really really cold.  Since Thanksgiving, I have consumed 750 gallons. 
 I suspect gas folks might be in a bit of shock when they get their next bill.

9:06 AM 02/06/2013 | 0 Votes

It sounds as though - unlike davidinbedstuy - that your tenants control the heat? If so, then they are going to keeep it on at all times - morning, noon and overnight. HPD regulates what the temperature needs to be for tenants and what it doesn't have to be set at. Like run-joe, I've used only around 600-700 gallons since T'giving. I have a 4-story brownstone. First of all I would make sure that you somehow control the thermostat. Also, my oil cost has come down approx. 18-20% in the past year. Has anyone else nopticed this?

12:59 PM 02/06/2013 | 0 Votes

We have a gas-fueled boiler and hot water heater. 4-storey, 2-family house. Thermostat set to 70 mornings and evenings (55 degrees during the day and overnight -- but it rarely falls below 67). Annual cost of running ranges from $1,500 to $2,000. We are always very clear with new tenants that if they want to run around in boxer shorts and tank tops in the middle of winter, this isn't the place for them. Of course, they pay electric so they can always supplement with room heaters. Since their apt is the garden floor (lower ceilings), they've never complained. We also have new windows and weatherstrip all the doors.

1:11 PM 02/06/2013 | 0 Votes

The thermostat is in the hallway so they can access it.  We had problems with them constantly turning it up so we put a lockbox around it.  The problem is that, we'd have problems getting it to fire up if the temp was set at 68 degress.  One of our tenants just checked and its currently set to 75, which is pretty insane and I imagine its running 24/7.  I really need to get a thermostat I can monitor and control remotely. I was looking at the Nest but also Honeywell & Ecobee.

2:10 PM 02/06/2013 | 0 Votes

Be aware that if have really creative  tenants, a cube of ice near the 'stat will turn the heat up to 90 ;). Try talking them into keeping the heat at a reasonable level.

2:33 PM 02/06/2013 | 0 Votes

The problem is the thermostat setting, not oil vs. gas. Getting a programmable remote thermostat is a good idea. We have oil for heat and hot water and pay $300/month at 69 degrees. My neighbor pays the same for gas.

6:13 PM 02/06/2013 | 0 Votes

Also we have the same issue w the heat either being on all the time or not going on. You have to play around until you find the perfect spot. Even so, some areas of the house will be a little colder at some times than others. Wear a sweater.

6:41 PM 02/06/2013 | 0 Votes

why thermostat in the hallway? this not place for  thermostat.

7:19 PM 02/06/2013 | 1 Votes

Yeah, move the thermostat to your apartment.  it's not difficult.  You can even get a remote programmable one to put in your unit that would communicate with the existing location without having to rewire.

10:34 AM 02/07/2013 | 0 Votes

Yes I agree the hallway is not the right spot as it's the coldest place in the house. Unfortunately it's the only publically accessible place.  I'm not currently living at the property so we rent the downstairs & upstairs apartment.  
Ideally, I would love to have sensors in both apartments but the thermostat in the hallway, but I don't know if such a thermostat exists! :)

1:41 PM 02/07/2013 | 0 Votes

red link honeywell has wireless sensors and thermostat can be located anywhere within 100'. if you install honeywell red link gateway, you can use iphone or droid to control temperature. if your smart tenant will deside to put a bag of ice on the sensor it will disconnect sensor until temperature will return to normal.

6:32 PM 02/07/2013 | 0 Votes