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..what are you going to do??
TIA for any tips.

 

[Christine]

I also have natural gas heat and I am terrified of my upcoming winter bills.

We will just be wearing lots of sweats and socks.

I'm also considering putting in some new (better) windows.

 

[Patch'sD]

Even though I have insulated Windows I was thinking of putting that Shrink Wrap on Some of the Windows to cut the heat loss. During the Winter they are cold to the touch so I am assuming some heat loss.

Block all Entrance Doors with Cloth to stop Heat escaping from the Bottom of Door.

Turn down Hot water Thermostat.

Keep heat down 5 Degrees from last year.

Heavier Blankets at night and turning the Thermostat way down at night.

Take out all Window Airconditioners

Check Calking around Windows

I don't cherrish the though of paying $ 3,000 for heat this winter.

 

[cepmom]

we have natural gas and I just realized yesterday they said the the rates would increase 50% !!!

I plan on using my wood stove a lot more than in the past, although I know the cost of wood is probably pretty high too.

Our family room is particularly cold ~ it is a converted 3 season porch built with only a crawl space, 9 windows and very little insulation It does have heat ducts run out to it, but they aren't very efficient. This is the room with the wood stove, thank goodness!

I am going to Jo-Ann fabric to day and I'm going to attempt to make insulated window coverings for all the windows in the family room...they are pretty drafty and it's just not in the budget to replace them. The windows in the rest of the house are new and very efficient.

Things we usually do every winter, are:

flannel sheets
down comforters
wearing extra layers
programmable thermostat ~ we set it to turn down at night and turn up a little before we get up so the house is warm enough to get out of bed!

 

[Missy1961]

It's just Dad & me in the house, and he usually goes to Florida for Jan-Mar. So I figure I'll keep thermostats low, wear sweats & socks, and use extra blankets. I hadn't thought of flannel sheets--I'm going to buy some soon.

 

[experiment626mom]

We'll be weatherproofing all windows and doors and using our electric radiator heaters as much as possible.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I'll be doing a lot of the things already mentioned. We also have bought electric blankets to use while watching t.v. It will make having a thermostat set around 60 a little more comfortable. We also bought an electric heated matress pad. It feels great! We have a very warm primaloft down-like blanket. I just hate getting into a cold bed before our body heat has a chance to warm things up. We turn it on about a half hour before bed and turn it off once we actually go to bed.

 

[ZachnElli]

I've been thinking about getting some electric blankets and some electric little space heaters for the bedrooms. I don't know if these are good ideas or not, it's just what I've been thinking.

 

[puffkin]

-Close the vents in rooms you don't use (why the builder put vents in the closets and hall, I will never know)

-Turn back your thermostat, especially when not home and at night

-Keep blinds/shades open on rooms that get natural sunlight, close others

-Keep thermostat low, but use a space heater for your living or rooms you spend a lot of time in. That way, you will be comfortable there, but not heating the rest of the unused home.

-Wear socks, sweats, sweaters when at home. Dress for the weather.

 

[hemispheredancer]

Nobody has mentioned insulation! Several years ago DH put cellulose insulation in the attic. I know there is a lot up there!! Between that and having newer windows our gas bills have not been bad. During the day it is just me at home, so I turn down the thermostat to 67 and kick it up around dinner time.

 

[grlpwrd]

A timed thermostat has worked great for us and we have about 3500 square feet.

Reflective film on our windows

Place styrofoam core around electrical outlets to prevent cold air from entering. Weather strip other areas of your home, too, like windows, doors, etc.

Landscaping would help, but you have to wait for things to grow - like deciduous trees and bushes which let sunshine thru when they lose their leaves.

Other great tips: New Hampshire energy saving tips . Also, according to the PSNH yes, insulate your attic (if R value is less than 22) and walls or floor above crawl space.

 

[GeorgeG]

I just moved to Florida, but I know that's not an option for everyone.

 

[AllyandJack]

If you wash clothes at home, wash in cold. I started this last winter. I'm on a budget/cap plan. Last year, I paid $239./month. I ended up with a credit of over $1,000. This year, I'm paying $192./month and I'm capped at $1.69. I use propane.

I generally keep the house at about 68 in the winter. Usually, if it's FREEZING, I turn it up to 75 for 15 minutes, get an initial burst of heat and lower it to 68. The house holds the heat. I also wear socks and flannel pants and a sweater around the house (the downstairs is cooler than the upstairs). I have Canadian Cozy sheets, which are AWESOME!

 

[Dan Murphy]

That is the best, George.

Here are NICOR's (our gas company) rates, last year, this year, per therm...............

October 2004 58 cents per therm
September 2005 100 cents per therm
October 2005 117 cents per therm

Just over 100% increase.

 

[puffkin]

If you wash clothes at home, wash in cold. I started this last winter. I'm on a budget/cap plan. Last year, I paid $239./month. I ended up with a credit of over $1,000. This year, I'm paying $192./month and I'm capped at $1.69. I use propane.

I forgot about this. I wash everything in cold and I don't have a problem. Tide has a cold water detergent now, and it doesn't cost any more than the regular. The only thing I wash in Hot water is the whites, and we only do one load of whites every 2 weeks or so.

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

... we only do one load of whites every 2 weeks or so.

You must have alot of undies...lol...

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We have crappy wood windows that the builder put in, but no $ to replace right now--I am going to put the 3M film over the windows that face north, in my room, DD#2's room, the LR and DR. I will insulate the outlets if DH agrees with it. If our thermostat is programmable (I'm not sure) I will start programming it to be lower at night and during the workday. I usually try to keep it at 68 or 70. I am on a budget for the gas bill and it is currently $125, up from $108 last year; Jan. and Feb. were the worst months.
Robin M.

 

[puffkin]

You must have alot of undies...lol...

Actually, none of our undies are white.... mainly just athletic socks and the occasional white t-shirt. So it takes a LONG time to get even half a load of whites for two people(which is usually the load size I end up doing)

I have no idea why we have such an aversion to white clothing in our house

 

[punkin]

I am currently sitting in a VERY cold house (less than 60 degrees) wearing a wool sweater and my great-grandmother's wool shawl. I am freezing, but I refuse to put on the heat before November.

The weather is supposed to change and go into the 70s tomorrow.

 

[Andrea]

we have gas also, and last winter this house stayed so cold.. my husband said we will be in sweaters, and have the fireplace going wheneve where home.. and the funny thing is he said make sure you buy a sweater for brandy ( lol brandy is my 65 pound dog...lol i have always seen small sweater but for dogs that big lol )