Some tips on keeping heating costs low

[cra-z-4-dizney]

With heating oil prices skyrocketing what are you going to do to keep your bill low....I have gas heat and need some tips PLEASE. I did just get a new heater, so I hope this will help some...what are you going to do??
TIA for any tips.

 

[dizagain]

Well....I'm waiting!! I just moved from Texas to the Chicago area so not only is this my first COLD winter ever in my life, it's going to be mighty expensive! I'd love to hear any tips...I'm thinking space heaters. I've never used one but the new ones look so safe compared to the old ones from my childhood. Anyone know if these work well and are fairly safe to have around (my kids are old enough to not worry - 9 and 11). Thanks op for this post!

 

[goofyforlife]

We normally keep our heat set pretty low and have lots of throw blankets/warm slippers around.... (I can't justify turning up the heat for the one or two hours were home and not in bed) Only the dogs are home during the day so 65 is fine for them.....

Another rule I try to keep is not heat until after November 1. (Just call me the heat miser. )

Our bills weren't that bad last year since we moved to an interior unit townhouse. We had an end unit for two years and the bills were horrible and you could never keep the house warm....

My poor sis has oil heat and is dreading filling up the tank...

 

[crisi]

Space heaters are generally inefficient. Also, fireplaces - unless they are energy efficient ones, can suck as much cold air in as push warm air out.

From a Minnesotan.

Plan on keeping your indoor temperature cool.
Wear sweaters, socks and slippers around the house and get out your "winter bedding" - for me we go from a sheet and down comforter in the summer, to a sheet, a fleece blanket, a quilt and a down comforter in the winter.
Buy a timing thermostat that will keep the temperature down at night and during the day if you aren't home.
Cover your windows in plastic (http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/...eisure_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html) to reduce heat loss.
Shut off rooms you don't use and don't heat them. Make sure the vents are set properly in rooms you do use (our computers put out enough heat we don't need to have the heat vent open there)
Make sure your furnace filters are clean.
Reweatherstrip your doors before winter.
Plan for "winter meals" - soups and stews, hot chocolate and tea.

 

[kpk89]

we are not turning on the heat until November 1 (brrrr ....) and will keep it at 64-65. Adding blankets, sweaters, flannel sheets, fuzzy slippers, and using the woodstove. Firewood is not cheap this year, either, though! Let's see, last year we replaced drafty windows, and we also have insulated drapes. Parking the car in the garage (helps take the chill off the garage and keeps the kids from going in and out the front door all the time.)

We'll probably trade off some other items because of the increased heat costs -- cancel the cable and Netflix, cut the grocery budget a bit (easy to do since dd2 is getting out of diapers ... there's $30 a month right there!)

I'm interested to hear others' ideas, too. Most of the people here are way more creative than I.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

We have a fairly small house so we use a Keroseen space heater that heats the living room and kitchen area of the house. It's the area we spend the most time in. That way we don't pay to heat the bedrooms where we like it to be a little cooler anyway.

 

[rantnnravin]

fleece socks/peds and hooded sweatshirts/hats ?

 

[molly2004]

Check this out in your area. At least in Eastern Massachusetts, you can get the electric or gas company out to your house to do an energy audit of your home. I think Nstar or Keyspan will do it, even if you don't have gas (cause they want you to get it). It's free. They make recommendations for keeping costs low. They'll give you coupons and rebates for purchasing energy efficient appliances. They will also give you up to a $1000 credit to get your home insulated (blown in insulation).

 

[KelNottAt]

We keep the thermostat at 65 all winter. But, my favorite thing is subscribing to the power company's "Budget Billing" plan.

We pay the same dollars every month, no matter how much heat or a/c we use. It's a great way to take the bite and shock out of fluctuations in fuel costs. We have a 4,000 square foot house with all electric heat and a/c. Our monthly bill is $120 per month. We don't supplement with gas or oil. $120 is it...every month, all year long. REEEALY helpful for budgeting.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Programmable thermostats
Zoned heat
Energy efficient windows
More insulation
Accordian miniblinds
Flannel sheets
Down comforter


We keep our home at 70 in the day and 67 at night. Will do the same this year.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I heard the average increase this year will be about $350. I suppose that's quite a jump, but spread out over the season, it's not THAT bad, over 5 months, its $70/month. It is something, and with gasoline prices it hurts, but it's not earth shattering.


Another thing to consider is the price of gas for cooking - cooking a turkey for six hours DOES cost something. Often in the winter we have lots of roast meats, but I think I'm going to cut back on that. It might just be cheaper to buy chickens that are roasted at the store, and boiling my winter squashes!

 

[ChristyJ]

We bought 2 cords of wood in Sept. when the costs hadn't started to rise yet...(1 cord in this area is now $200+, we bought ours for $150). We have a fireplace that has an effective fan system built in, plus we trun on the overhead fan in that room to help "share the warmth" with the rest of the house.

We also have a programable thermostat-60 when we're not home and 65 when we are.

I'm going to buy insulated drapes for my slider door-I know we lose a lot of heat through it!!

slippers, cozy blankets on the couch, chai tea are some of my other favorites...

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

I heard the average increase this year will be about $350. I suppose that's quite a jump, but spread out over the season, it's not THAT bad, over 5 months, its $70/month. It is something, and with gasoline prices it hurts, but it's not earth shattering.


Another thing to consider is the price of gas for cooking - cooking a turkey for six hours DOES cost something. Often in the winter we have lots of roast meats, but I think I'm going to cut back on that. It might just be cheaper to buy chickens that are roasted at the store, and boiling my winter squashes!

That is when an electric roaster comes in handy...I got one for my bridal shower, and absolutely LOVE it...I can cook a whole turkey in it. Also, a crock pot to cook roasts and other meals you may otherwise put in the oven.

 

[pjlla]

Well....I'm waiting!! I just moved from Texas to the Chicago area so not only is this my first COLD winter ever in my life, it's going to be mighty expensive! I'd love to hear any tips...I'm thinking space heaters. I've never used one but the new ones look so safe compared to the old ones from my childhood. Anyone know if these work well and are fairly safe to have around (my kids are old enough to not worry - 9 and 11). Thanks op for this post!

Keep in mind ELECTRICITY is usually one of the most expensive and least effective ways to create heat. Although it maybe worthwhile if you have one small room to heat and you don't want to heat the other rooms on the same heating zone. ...............P

 

[CarolA]

Just a warning on your "buget billing" There is always a settlement.

So if heating bills do go WAY up this year expect next year's budget billing to go right up along with them.

 

[tlbwriter]

Get a treadmill and walk/run for 20 min when you get cold.

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

Get a treadmill and walk/run for 20 min when you get cold.

Not a bad idea...maybe I'll lose a couple pounds....

 

[pjlla]

It may seem obvious, but INSULATE better. DH is currently building some sort of contraption to insulate the attic pull-down stairs better. And I am sewing a cover of sorts to go over the doorway on the ceiling side. If your windows are drafty and you can't replace them, cover them with that clear plastic (just be careful of the paint finish when you remove them) that 3M sells. It really works.

Install an electronic thermostat that you can automatically set to go up and down at certain times of day. That way you can't forget to turn down the heat when you leave for the day!

Get a comfy oversized sweatshirt and wear it around the house all the time. HTH.......P

 

[OzFan]

Well....I'm waiting!! I just moved from Texas to the Chicago area so not only is this my first COLD winter ever in my life, it's going to be mighty expensive! I'd love to hear any tips...I'm thinking space heaters. I've never used one but the new ones look so safe compared to the old ones from my childhood. Anyone know if these work well and are fairly safe to have around (my kids are old enough to not worry - 9 and 11). Thanks op for this post!

First of all WELCOME to Chicago! I moved here 16 years ago from Florida, and I thougth I was going to freeze! LOL~ The first time I saw snow I thought it was BEAUTIFUL, after a week of snow I wanted to go back south! I too am worried about the high heating costs. We bought a Honey Well Space heater that sits on a table top. Last week when it got a little chilly it kept our living room a toasty 72 degrees. It is osilating and has a therostat. We got it at Home Depot for 29.99. Good LUCK and remember LAYERS!

 

[mudnuri]

I wont buy a portable space heater as they are a serious fire risk....especially with kids and cats...that said

I had a programmable thermostat installed with a 5/2 cycle, and also a simple override. It's set for 69 the hours we're home and 65 the hours we're not. Its also set to 65 at night, then back to 69 about 1/2 hour before I get up. With hot water heat, it shuts off at 69, but the house generally gets to 72 due to the temp of the water in the pipes.

I have new vinyl replacement windows, however I did buy the 3m plastic for the windows on the north side that get NO sun. Those are all bedroom windows and 1 DD has her bed on an exterior windowed wall, so that will help her room

The girls both have flannel sheets and down comforters so they usually sleep in just a t-shirt, no problems or issue's there.

We have an insulated drop ceiling, which helps as well. Add to that the fact I have hardwood floors throughout and an apartment under me their heat rises and heats my floors nicely.

Sometimes I find we leave the bathroom fan on when its not needed...well that pulls heat out of that room, so we will only use that while in the shower, and shut it off promptly

I did NOT turn my hot water heater down, as I have hot water heat, and the hotter the water coming through the pipes, the less time the furnace has to run

I also pre-bought my fuel in August at 208.9 Last week when they did my first delivery, my ticket said 2.679 so I'm glad I did!

Good luck

Brandy