OMG, I just wrote the check for the heating oil bill...

[Lil Sis]

well... I love the winter months. Our utility bill (electric) is the lowest for the year in the winter months!! With out kids in the house it is about $100.00 per month or less. We have solar water heating.

We have the opposite problem... the air conditioning of the house in the summer months!! Our electric/ power/ utility bill is double or more in July/August/September.

[ladyjane]

When I lived up north, I remember the prices being downright nuts around 2001 ... or 4? I sympathize ... cost of fuel is going up and it is SO hard for people in cold climates.

That is one thing I do not miss living down here in this climate.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

well... I love the winter months. Our utility bill (electric) is the lowest for the year in the winter months!! With out kids in the house it is about $100.00 per month or less. We have solar water heating.

We have the opposite problem... the air conditioning of the house in the summer months!! Our electric/ power/ utility bill is double or more in July/August/September.

Yeah, the prices are nuts in the summer months, that's for sure. At least here in TX we now have companies competing so we can change companies. It has saved me lots.

[carmen in nj]

I am glad we filled up, is snowing pretty good today... my electric bill is at least less than oil....LOL, even in the summer months... we live 900 feet above sea level by a lake and is cool at night.. and during the day we spend a lot of time in the yard..
hugs,

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by normarae63

Wait...are you saying you set your thermostat at 56? I ask because the week before last it got a bit colder here than it'd been. I was fine. The inside temp was 72 degrees & my daughter actually tried to say she was freezing & could see her breath
She's in Spain now so I imagine she's finding out what "cold" really is!

I know you, Sherry....are you sure the inside temp was 72 and not 52???

[gemy]

Wow that is pricey! I think anyhoo. We are on natural gas and equalized billing. I pay about $100 a month to heat/air cond for the 12 months.

When we sleep and are out of the house during the day temp is set to 64 and when home 68. I love our automatic thermostat that you can set to 4 different temp settings each day. It adjusts temp when you leave come home sleep etc. No more remembering to fiddle with the thermostat.

We have had it for years, but I did notice a significant reduction in our heat/cooling bills once it was installed. Also replacing my old freezer and got a new fridge did loads to reduce electricity costs.

[marcie]

Thank goodness you had it done before a big storm hit.

[southernbelle04]

Oh wow! And I thought our propane bill was outrageous! You have us beat! I know that would of made me faint too. To tap off our tanks when they are low is about $500 and it kills me everytime, but I have to keep this baby called KS warm! Tee hee!

[carmen in nj]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

Oh wow! And I thought our propane bill was outrageous! You have us beat! I know that would of made me faint too. To tap off our tanks when they are low is about $500 and it kills me everytime, but I have to keep this baby called KS warm! Tee hee!

oh I know, I have the silky gang of 5 plus 6 babies to keep warm... and with snow on the ground now, we needed it..LOL
hugs,

[zedhead]

Originally Posted by carmen in nj

the tank is 375, and it was filled up last october, with the temps being so crazy I guess we did ok, hubby does not like when it gets low in case of a crazy storm or anything since we paid COD because is cheaper that way, when the marker is at 1/4 we call and they come the next day, but lately is being a SHOCK how little oil we get for the same money..

Here's another little shock for you. Since 2008 the almighty EPA has designated that all Diesel fuel sold in the USA be Low Sulpher Fuel. When the refinery removes the sulpher, one side effect is that the fuel's cetane level is reduced, thus the amount of BTU's the fuel can generate when burned. Another side effect is that the fuel is less slippery. The heating system is depending on the fuel to lubricate things.

So now that the EPA is done with your heating oil, you pay more for it, while getting less heat from it.

You should be using a Diesel Fuel Conditioner in your fuel. Is about $20 for a bottle that will treat the whole tank. It will help keep your heating plant up to snuff.

[zedhead]

FWIW, we pay right around $2500 a year for LP. Covers Heat, hot water, stove, clothes dryer. 2500 Sq Ft in N. Mn. is not cheap.

Gotta love it... 40 degree temp swing from yesterday/today. Yesterday we woke to -20F, today it's +20!!!

[carmen in nj]

Wow, thank you for this information, hubby would like to know if you can recomend a good diesel fuel conditioner, he has to go to work today but he will do some more research on it tomorrow..
again thanks,
hugs,

[zedhead]

I've always used Power Service. Is available everywhere. Including walmart.

[EarthAngel]

Yes, thank you for that information! I will be looking into that additive too!