What state are you in? We are in NJ, and have not used the heat yet, however I have heard of few people around here turning their's on! We have a new home, only two years old. So I am hoping not to have any problems.
Last year I always used a small heater in my computer room, etc. I went this week to K-Mart and bought a few of those Cuddle Wraps. They are on sale and very warm, made of fleece! My oven is gas, so I am starting to use my crock pot more, I have even thought of buying a small oven for the counter, not a toaster oven, but I saw in K-Mart a nice oven for $100.00.
Oh that is all that is on the news, it the rising cost to heat your home!