Witner heating bills
Who is coming over to keep me warm at night? LOL
This link will probably change in the future.
Who is coming over to keep me warm at night? LOL
This link will probably change in the future.
I just cant wait. for winter heating bills
- Thread starter toggleswitch
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geoffdelp
Well-known member
Steve ...
It's gonna be a tough one!! They said we (Minnesotan's) can expect an 80% increase in our October bills from last year.
The glimmer of hope? It might go down in January (which, here, is the coldest month)!!
Geoff
It's gonna be a tough one!! They said we (Minnesotan's) can expect an 80% increase in our October bills from last year.
The glimmer of hope? It might go down in January (which, here, is the coldest month)!!
Geoff
When I bought my house, I thought I was out of my mind for buying an all-electric house. I'm pretty glad I've got electric heat now though. I'm still paying an average of 7.5 cents per KWH, and my electric rates haven't increased appreciably since I bought the place. I was complaining that my electric bill went from $80 in the summer to $250 for the winter, but that sounds like it's gonna be a bargain when comparing it to the neighbors using gas and oil. Of course, they are probably still gonna stay warmer than me, because electric heat always feels cold no matter how warm you set a thermostat. That's because electric heat pumps distribute air that while warmer than the interior ambient, is cooler than the surface of your skin. This results in a higher thermostat setting for the same comfort level.
70° is 70°F. Ignore the wind-chill factor. 
Also, depends on how the system is sized, and how it functions. I had a 2-speed heat pump in my previous house, a bit (purposely) oversized. The output when on low speed blower did feel warm. Very warm.
Also, depends on how the system is sized, and how it functions. I had a 2-speed heat pump in my previous house, a bit (purposely) oversized. The output when on low speed blower did feel warm. Very warm.
You can always save on the gas by using electric space heaters as required. I keep a few around for watching tv downstairs at night when the furnace is set back. Then I have my Sunbeam electric mattress pad on the bed.. love those, better than the electric blankets
The hot and cold of it
Geez...we got killed this summer on electric a/c, and our natural gas bill is expected to increase by about 70%. We can't win for losing, can we. Our winters are usually mild, but I have a feeling that we will be getting a blizzard this year! OY
Geez...we got killed this summer on electric a/c, and our natural gas bill is expected to increase by about 70%. We can't win for losing, can we. Our winters are usually mild, but I have a feeling that we will be getting a blizzard this year! OY
A/C be gone with you
YAY and bring it on. Tonight I got to perform one my most favorite annual projects, taking out our four window air conditioning units and putting them in the attic for another year. Thank god the air conditioning season is now over. Our biggest heat bill last winter was $275, but this year I think its going to be a lot more that, we will see.
YAY and bring it on. Tonight I got to perform one my most favorite annual projects, taking out our four window air conditioning units and putting them in the attic for another year. Thank god the air conditioning season is now over. Our biggest heat bill last winter was $275, but this year I think its going to be a lot more that, we will see.
mayken4now
Well-known member
Wear sweats and socks to bed Steve!
Forget the gas and electric heat. If you decide this tip, then haul your happy a.. to the bank and deposit what they would have stolen from you!
Love,
Steve
Forget the gas and electric heat. If you decide this tip, then haul your happy a.. to the bank and deposit what they would have stolen from you!
Love,
Steve
I already do!!!!
At night we keep it at 60*F, below that and I wake up from the cold.
Luckily there existed already an electric heater in the bathroom to supplement the central system. I may forgo the 4 hour "HI" period of 70*F in the morning! (5am to 9am).
At night we keep it at 60*F, below that and I wake up from the cold.
Luckily there existed already an electric heater in the bathroom to supplement the central system. I may forgo the 4 hour "HI" period of 70*F in the morning! (5am to 9am).
Can you do without the sweats and socks at 70°F?
</b>I run 70°F through the night. And sometimes higher. Like maybe 71°F.<b>
</b>I run 70°F through the night. And sometimes higher. Like maybe 71°F.<b>
Winter Preps
Has anyone here ever tried the 3M window sealing products? I've used the interior plastic heat-shrink kits for over 20 years and wouldn't go through a winter without most every window in the house wrapped up tight. They make a big difference in the "feel" of the room air (no drafts) and help considerably with heat loss.
We are going to use some electric spot heating as needed for comfort as opposed to cranking up the gas furnace to heat the enitre house. I bought a heated mattress pad for Skyler's bed and may do so for mine as well. Our public gas utility company is predicting about a 30-35% increase in rates, but I'm hoping things do even out again toward Jan-Feb '06.
Maybe it's all a conspiracy, they say it's going up a whole big bunch and then rejoice and sing their own praises when it only goes up 25% -- but it never goes back down again. Bastards!!
Has anyone here ever tried the 3M window sealing products? I've used the interior plastic heat-shrink kits for over 20 years and wouldn't go through a winter without most every window in the house wrapped up tight. They make a big difference in the "feel" of the room air (no drafts) and help considerably with heat loss.
We are going to use some electric spot heating as needed for comfort as opposed to cranking up the gas furnace to heat the enitre house. I bought a heated mattress pad for Skyler's bed and may do so for mine as well. Our public gas utility company is predicting about a 30-35% increase in rates, but I'm hoping things do even out again toward Jan-Feb '06.
Maybe it's all a conspiracy, they say it's going up a whole big bunch and then rejoice and sing their own praises when it only goes up 25% -- but it never goes back down again. Bastards!!
In my neck of the woods temperatures of -35 are not uncommon and let me tell you if there's an air leak anywhere you'll feel it. Overall my house is well insulated but I did find that around the light switches and outlets that are on outside walls you could feel the cold coming thru so I bought some of those inexpensive foam inserts that go behind the switch/outlet covers and those things are miraculous.
bostonwash
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2005
- Messages
- 223
Insulate
my house is 9 years old and fairly well insulated but in the attic there was only 8" of fiberglass. I thought they were required to put in at least 12". That was easy enough though. I spent a couple hundred dollars for several bags of 10" thick, 24" wide fiberglas insulation and rolled it out in the opositer direction of the joist. Fluffed it a litte. Look in the attic looks like it snowed(the fiberglas was white) Also insulated the attic door well too.
I ordered storm sashes for the side panels on the front door.
Am considering a storm door for the patio door.
caulked on the outside where needed.
At lowes I tried to buy a water heater blanket but all they had were this 2' by 2' square meant only for the top of electric water heaters? Haven't tried other stores yet for a FULL water heater blanket.
What gets me, go to these wharehouse stores with no ceilings. go inside, look up that 20' or 30', its metal I don't think there is any insulation there at all. even if there is, 20 or 30' ceiling in stores that can cover several acres? How much of what we spend on products goes towards the heating bills for these places? Most places are so sterile and unattractive anyway. Remember when you would go to the grocery store and they had ceilings, usually drop ceiling. maybe 10' tall. The isles weren't so rediculously wide. The stores were quaint.
Sure, nobody wants to pay higher gas and natural gas prices. Quite frankly, the sooner we have $5 gas the sooner people we start thinking realisticly about about energy alternatives that are healthier for the environment and our society. Dump those stupid ego mobile SUVs(remember the 1950s when they sold people on the idea that your car, a mere appliance, defined your status, your ego,LOL) I also can't wait to see the "big box" stores abandoned. most of them are ugly. built with cinderblocks, they look like prisons. tacky, tacky.
my house is 9 years old and fairly well insulated but in the attic there was only 8" of fiberglass. I thought they were required to put in at least 12". That was easy enough though. I spent a couple hundred dollars for several bags of 10" thick, 24" wide fiberglas insulation and rolled it out in the opositer direction of the joist. Fluffed it a litte. Look in the attic looks like it snowed(the fiberglas was white) Also insulated the attic door well too.
I ordered storm sashes for the side panels on the front door.
Am considering a storm door for the patio door.
caulked on the outside where needed.
At lowes I tried to buy a water heater blanket but all they had were this 2' by 2' square meant only for the top of electric water heaters? Haven't tried other stores yet for a FULL water heater blanket.
What gets me, go to these wharehouse stores with no ceilings. go inside, look up that 20' or 30', its metal I don't think there is any insulation there at all. even if there is, 20 or 30' ceiling in stores that can cover several acres? How much of what we spend on products goes towards the heating bills for these places? Most places are so sterile and unattractive anyway. Remember when you would go to the grocery store and they had ceilings, usually drop ceiling. maybe 10' tall. The isles weren't so rediculously wide. The stores were quaint.
Sure, nobody wants to pay higher gas and natural gas prices. Quite frankly, the sooner we have $5 gas the sooner people we start thinking realisticly about about energy alternatives that are healthier for the environment and our society. Dump those stupid ego mobile SUVs(remember the 1950s when they sold people on the idea that your car, a mere appliance, defined your status, your ego,LOL) I also can't wait to see the "big box" stores abandoned. most of them are ugly. built with cinderblocks, they look like prisons. tacky, tacky.
RE: air leaks
Combustion appliances such as boilers, furnaces Hot-water heaters, shoot a great deal of air up the chimney /flue.So to do exhaust fans and dryers.
That air tha tis lost gets replaces by being sucked back into the house from every crack and crevice.
Solution? Provide make-up ar near the heaters (one will do for an entire house) this will also noticibly reduce drafty feel throuout house. Buy a 4 inch (100mm) std dryer vent, but the type with a coarse mesh/screen outside. Install. Rip out the clap (acts as a "check-valve"). Add cheap panty hose inside (I hate wasting my good ones! LOL ) as a bug filter/screen.
Fewer drafts and less risk of carbon-monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Althought the vent is technicaly a heat-loss when the heaters are NOT functioning, these appliances are still helping air escape up the flue, even when off. At least in this way the air going up the flue is not heated/conditioned.
This was well publicized by Consumer Reports as a health safety measure back in the day of our energy crisis in the 70's when everyone was sealing their homes.
Combustion appliances such as boilers, furnaces Hot-water heaters, shoot a great deal of air up the chimney /flue.So to do exhaust fans and dryers.
That air tha tis lost gets replaces by being sucked back into the house from every crack and crevice.
Solution? Provide make-up ar near the heaters (one will do for an entire house) this will also noticibly reduce drafty feel throuout house. Buy a 4 inch (100mm) std dryer vent, but the type with a coarse mesh/screen outside. Install. Rip out the clap (acts as a "check-valve"). Add cheap panty hose inside (I hate wasting my good ones! LOL ) as a bug filter/screen.
Fewer drafts and less risk of carbon-monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Althought the vent is technicaly a heat-loss when the heaters are NOT functioning, these appliances are still helping air escape up the flue, even when off. At least in this way the air going up the flue is not heated/conditioned.
This was well publicized by Consumer Reports as a health safety measure back in the day of our energy crisis in the 70's when everyone was sealing their homes.
Steve / Bostonwash:
I hate waste too, and think conservation (without complete lack of comfort) is definitely called-for.
I hate waste too, and think conservation (without complete lack of comfort) is definitely called-for.
Also, notice how may of those big-box stores don't even have front doors. Many just use "air curtains" designed to separate the climate-controlled interior from the outside world with a blast of air...like that's gonna really work! Drive by one of those places after hours, and take a look at the building. It's still lit up like a ballpark, even though it's closed and not in use! I have always wondered why those big-box stores are not heated with radiant floor systems. It seems pretty smart to me, because the heat radiation would not be as apt to escape as warm air. Practically all those stores have concrete or tile floors, and the R.F.H. would keep the heat down low, where the patrons and employees are...not up at the ceiling where all those heat pumps are.
It always seemed to me that part of the reason why many companies start hurting financially is just plain obvious wastefulness!
It always seemed to me that part of the reason why many companies start hurting financially is just plain obvious wastefulness!
Probably a little thing in the grand scheme of energy wastefulness, but it always annoys me when people in the grocery stores go to a freezer case and stand in front of it with the door open and study the contents. SHUT THE DOOR and LOOK THROUGH IT - IT'S GLASS!!
Don't many high-efficiency furnaces now have a make-up or combustion intake vent built into them? I've seen many a new unit with two PVC vents running out sidewalls of homes - one sucks and the other blows...well, you get my meaning. Our furncace is around 12 years old, but the guy who installed it lives across the street and said it's pretty efficient for it's age and not worth the expense of replacing to gain a only few more points in efficiency.
Don't many high-efficiency furnaces now have a make-up or combustion intake vent built into them? I've seen many a new unit with two PVC vents running out sidewalls of homes - one sucks and the other blows...well, you get my meaning. Our furncace is around 12 years old, but the guy who installed it lives across the street and said it's pretty efficient for it's age and not worth the expense of replacing to gain a only few more points in efficiency.
Greg-
Every little bit helps.
I even use cool-dry on my DW in the summer, even though it is such a small savings. Don't like it fighting with the A/C
Every little bit helps.
I even use cool-dry on my DW in the summer, even though it is such a small savings. Don't like it fighting with the A/C
hooverac216
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2005
- Messages
- 89
we dont have to pay as much for gas why our boiler has broken
doun
doun
