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When the cold weather hits WTH?  

post #1 of 28
9/16/08 at 8:55pm
Thread Starter 
I heard that the heating bills for this winter will be double what they were last winter. I barely got by last winter -- Dh and I are thinking of taking on 2nd jobs to try to get by. Its just so depressing.
post #2 of 28
9/16/08 at 9:06pm
I'm scared, too.
We are buying a house right now (supposed to be closing by mid October)... and I'm due at the end of October...

The house has gas heat, a 20 year old unit, and we could afford the prices of gas from last year... this year? We'll be on the list for assistance, along with everyone else Winterizing ahoy!
post #3 of 28
9/16/08 at 9:25pm
I'm scared as well. Our heater is the least efficient model available. We're just above the cutoff for heat assistance, as well. By like $2k/yr. I plan on making sure we dress warm in the house and having the four of us in the same bed helps, too, since I'm roasting in there right now! I'm keeping the heat as low as possible this winter.
post #4 of 28
9/16/08 at 10:00pm
That reminds me... I gotta get wood for the woodstove. Hoping that'll help cut costs...
post #5 of 28
9/16/08 at 10:01pm
Oh... and speaking of... have you guys seen this? http://greenupgrader.com/273/diy-bui...terits-easy-2/

Seems like it might be worth while if it'll even warm one room up a few degrees when you're keeping the heat really low.
post #6 of 28
9/16/08 at 10:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juvysen View Post
Oh... and speaking of... have you guys seen this? http://greenupgrader.com/273/diy-bui...terits-easy-2/
That is awesome!
I'm also looking for some blankets from the thrift store (the "bad" cheap ones) to block the windows off.
post #7 of 28
9/17/08 at 12:40am
I always say that my DH keeps the house at polar bear temperatures. If the zoo's penguin exhibit ever broke, those little guys could come bunk with us! It's bad for the summer time cooling bill, but good for the winter heating bill.
post #8 of 28
9/17/08 at 2:43am
Have you installed a programmable thermostat? We found it made a big difference in our bill. I set it really low at night. DH worked from home so we needed to keep it up during the whole day but if we were both away during the day I would keep it low during work hours as well. That means you can set the house for "room temperature" an hour before you wake-up until you leave for work & then again an hour before you return home until your usual bedtime. The rest of the time set it low enough that you just keep the house bareable. You don't want to have to completely reheat the house or risk frozen pipes.
post #9 of 28
9/17/08 at 3:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juvysen View Post
Oh... and speaking of... have you guys seen this? http://greenupgrader.com/273/diy-bui...terits-easy-2/

Seems like it might be worth while if it'll even warm one room up a few degrees when you're keeping the heat really low.
That looks great! Worth a try if nothing else. We're always complaining about the bedroom being too sunny, so maybe we'll have to put the sun to good use in there. We get a lot of sun all over our house, actually, so we're definitely going to build a few of these to see if they work.
post #10 of 28
9/17/08 at 8:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juvysen View Post
That reminds me... I gotta get wood for the woodstove. Hoping that'll help cut costs...
We just had 2 cords delivered. It was over $500!!!! (but then again, they say a cord = about 250gal oil so that's about 2 + fill ups of oil)

Heather
post #11 of 28
9/17/08 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by camracrazy View Post
I always say that my DH keeps the house at polar bear temperatures. If the zoo's penguin exhibit ever broke, those little guys could come bunk with us! It's bad for the summer time cooling bill, but good for the winter heating bill.
Wow, are you sure we aren't married to the same person? I think I have said that verbatim before!
post #12 of 28
9/17/08 at 12:03pm
Not sure how this winter is going to be for us. This house is old and drafty. We heat with gas, but the "utility" co seems to pull numbers out of their arses when its time to send out the bills. And they give no help if you are in a bind. When the shut off day comes, you either pay the bill or do without. We will be using the electric heaters again this year and buying some more blankets and comforters from the thrift store. Putting socks and slippers as well as undershirts on the kids will help also.

love and blessings
angie
post #13 of 28
9/17/08 at 12:05pm
I am freaked out. We live in an almost 100 yr old house. Heat ean about 400.00/month last year for winter.

800.00 would be undoable.
post #14 of 28
9/17/08 at 12:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juvysen View Post
Oh... and speaking of... have you guys seen this? http://greenupgrader.com/273/diy-bui...terits-easy-2/

Seems like it might be worth while if it'll even warm one room up a few degrees when you're keeping the heat really low.
We may try this. :
post #15 of 28
9/17/08 at 1:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thixle View Post
That is awesome!
I'm also looking for some blankets from the thrift store (the "bad" cheap ones) to block the windows off.
DH will be totally geeked for this project! Thanks!
post #16 of 28
9/17/08 at 1:33pm
^^^ I've heard you can use velcro or sticky magnets to make them more "sealed" to the window frame. We've always rented, so have never tried it... After seeing the penny heater, I'm wondering if sandwitching a layer of aluminum foil between the blankets will help???

There is no way I'm putting that thin plastic sheeting on the windows again. It looks like crap and takes forever to put up. Then when you get a warm day, you can't let the house air out without ripping it all off :
post #17 of 28
9/17/08 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifeguard View Post
DH worked from home so we needed to keep it up during the whole day
Something to think about: is your DH roaming throughout the whole house during the day, or is he mainly in an office? I also WAH, but I'm at my desk all day long. I turn the thermostat way down, and just keep a space heater by my desk. I feel like it helps our heating costs somewhat.
post #18 of 28
9/17/08 at 2:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleBirdy View Post
Wow, are you sure we aren't married to the same person? I think I have said that verbatim before!
If we are, you can have him for Dec, Jan & Feb. I swear I have icicles hanging off my nose and he has the fan blowing. :
post #19 of 28
9/17/08 at 3:44pm
My gas bill did just double and I didnt even use heat (its still hot here.) So for like stove burners and water heater only and it was double....winter will be pricey this year I think. I cant imagine for those of you that live in super cold climates!!
post #20 of 28
9/17/08 at 6:04pm
It looks like we may be moving, and I'll for sure be looking long and hard at the prospective heating bills when we're house hunting. I'm also making warm blankets (with cheap fleece, batting and flannel) for everyone in the house this winter. We're going to be doing the blanket sleeper/warm clothes/slippers/low thermostat plan, no matter where we are. DH is not happy about having to wear sweaters all winter, but he's going to have to suck it up.
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