Gas Bill - Need Help!

[DisneyBaby!]

That is on the high side, but our old house was drafty and cold the first year we were there, and that was the year of the leagenday $800 gas bills everywhere, so the next fall I was determined to add blown-in insulation to the attic, I pop my head up there, and there is literally about 3 inches at the highest, and in the coldest places there was none. That was the best $100 we spent on that house, this is an easy job, you only need 2 people. Look at the Menards flyers in the Trib. They don't charge for the use of the blower. Try new windows. We changed almost all of the windows at the old house, but we knew that going in. That and the 37 yo funace that we needed to replace ended up saving a ton of money. It sounds crazy to spend a few thousand dollars to save on the gas bill, but the insulation paid for itself almost immediately, and if we were in that house a few more years, the furnace would have paid for itself.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Older home/insulation/windows, older furnace (a BIG one user there), 1 1/2 months use. 30 day cost, based on that bill is $233, not all that bad, in line with higher charge per therm we have been having this year (though dropping a lot past couple months. A new, high efficiency furnace can do wonders.

 

[SamIAm21]

This probably isn't the most ethical advice, but we live just south of you and our first gas bill was $296 for Dec/Jan. We paid NICOR $150.00. We figured they can't shut us off if we attempt to pay, so we paid $150. When the February bill rolled around it was $378, we paid $150. We figure, we'll catch up somewhere around May or June. We have a hurricane or two, so NICOR jacks our rates up to some astronomical level to cover their ***. Sorry, but we ain't covering their *** and not eating to boot.

Our heat is set at 69 when we are home and 64 when we are out or sleeping.

 

[beachgrl001]

I feel for you. My house is old and drafty(Cheap insulation) and get this the former owners built a living room and in law suite addition with NO HEAT I cant stand the gas co. When I got my first big(winter) bill I called in shock saying there must be some mistake. She said there was...It was supposed to be even more Boy was I sorry I called. Im going to live little house on the prarrie style next winter , we are going to buy a pellet stove (lowes $1300) I cant wait! The guy at lowes told us that if we want to buy one we better get it in august!!! they supposedly sell out really fast.

 

[CathrynRose]

This probably isn't the most ethical advice, but we live just south of you and our first gas bill was $296 for Dec/Jan. We paid NICOR $150.00. We figured they can't shut us off if we attempt to pay, so we paid $150. When the February bill rolled around it was $378, we paid $150. We figure, we'll catch up somewhere around May or June. We have a hurricane or two, so NICOR jacks our rates up to some astronomical level to cover their a$$. Sorry, but we ain't covering their a$$ and not eating to boot.

Our heat is set at 69 when we are home and 64 when we are out or sleeping.

Interesting idea .... create my *own* budget plan. (as opposed to the $198/mo they offered me...which seems OBNOXIOUS too)

I like it Sam... I like it.

 

[diskids2]

Interesting idea .... create my *own* budget plan. (as opposed to the $198/mo they offered me...which seems OBNOXIOUS too)

I like it Sam... I like it.

I would not do that for too many months in a row. Most utiltity companies watch receivables through computer systems. If you make sure that you don't fall too many days behind (like 60-90), you would probably be safe. But you can't count on my word for that.

I would call the gas company. Ask them (they will tell you) - how many months you can be behind before you get a turn off notice. You can plan from there.


Good Luck.

 

[MzDiz]

This is not really great advice because these cost a lot of electricity to run!

Chicago had it right, the bill is for 6 weeks, not 4, so it is 50% higher than normal.

Denae

Electricity is cheaper than gas right now. It wouldn't have been good advice last year, but this year it is. Besides, why heat a whole house to 70 if you're only hanging out in one or two rooms?

My gas bill last month was $122 for a 1300 sq ft house with bad insulation, old windows and a full basement. My electric bill for the same month was just over 50.

 

[mickeyboat]

Electricity is cheaper than gas right now. It wouldn't have been good advice last year, but this year it is. Besides, why heat a whole house to 70 if you're only hanging out in one or two rooms?

My gas bill last month was $122 for a 1300 sq ft house with bad insulation, old windows and a full basement. My electric bill for the same month was just over 50.

Electricity rates in NH are scheduled to go up 22-28% next month!

The state of Vermont has been running ads on the radio telling people to eliminate the use of space heaters, which may have to do with the cost of electricity in our area of the country. And also may be due to the fact that most people in our area heat with fuel oil or propane, not natural gas.

http://www.efficiencyvermont.com/Docs/SpaceHeaterJointAnnouncement-FINAL-11705.pdf

Space heaters can be used effectively to heat small spaces on a temporary basis, but cannot be efficient to heat larger spaces. I read that of you are using more than three space heaters operating at one time, a central eating system may be as cost effective.

Also, be very careful with space heaters. They have been shown to cause 25% of home heating related fires - usually because combustibles are being kept too close to the heaters. Did you see the thread where some business are taking away space heaters from employees fr insurance purposes? They can be dangerous.

Denae

 

[Nancy]

This probably isn't the most ethical advice, but we live just south of you and our first gas bill was $296 for Dec/Jan. We paid NICOR $150.00. We figured they can't shut us off if we attempt to pay, so we paid $150. When the February bill rolled around it was $378, we paid $150. We figure, we'll catch up somewhere around May or June. We have a hurricane or two, so NICOR jacks our rates up to some astronomical level to cover their a$$. Sorry, but we ain't covering their a$$ and not eating to boot.

Our heat is set at 69 when we are home and 64 when we are out or sleeping.

Just a note of caution for you...after April 1st they can shut you off. (at least that is here in NY with National Fuel). NF doesn't care if you are making payments or not..they want all their money when they want it. Happened to a friend of mine. They shut her off for 300.00 owed...she thought the same thing. They told her once April 1st rolls around they don't have any rules in place. Heck they have shut people off in the middle of winter here.

 

[Mishetta]

Yup, that's a month and a half so your bill would be 50% higher than normal, just for the extra 2 weeks. Plus, we had a few cold snaps, and if your house is from the 70's it's not likely to be well insulated or have a good furnace. You could also have leaky windows. You should look into updating the insulation, and maybe replace the windows and furnance. It's a lot of money, but it will save you tons in the long run. If you just can't afford all of that, then next winter you can at least put that plastic film over the windows to help block drafts.

Chicago526 gave you good advice.

We have a 2400 sq ft home (bedrooms upstairs) & our bill was $234 & I keep it at 68 year round. On those windy/drafty evenings, I roll up old bath towels & put them at the base of all doors. When I had drapes made for our family room which has a doorwall, I had the drapes lined & boy did that make a big diff! I also stuff those old rolled up bath towels at the base of the doorwalls but I should stuff some within the doors too! Our house is 10 y/o & probably more energy efficient than yours but if you can't replace furnace or windows as Chicago526 said, then by all means do all you can with the home remedies....towels, plastic, & wear heavy robes around the house! That was a high gas bill you got & it would hurt just about anybody! (Not the Trumps of course!)