Comments on: February Heating Cost Way Up http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/ A premiere personal finance blog, established 2003. Within, Flexo discusses his own experiences with money, and he and other authors comment on a wide range of personal finance topics. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:50:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Blaine Moore (First Time Home Owner) http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-88511 Blaine Moore (First Time Home Owner) Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:45:24 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-88511 I pay around $40-$50 per month, and our average temperatures in February were around 0°-10°F. Of course, we only use electric heat in the bathroom when we shower and in our mattress pad, and we leave our thermostat at 58° when we are home and awake, and around 54° when we are not in the house or are sleeping. Next year I definately plan on getting plastic for the windows. By the time I went to buy it, they weren't available anymore. We did have a giant hole in our basement, but that was in December and only lasted a few days until we were able to replace our door. I pay around $40-$50 per month, and our average temperatures in February were around 0°-10°F. Of course, we only use electric heat in the bathroom when we shower and in our mattress pad, and we leave our thermostat at 58° when we are home and awake, and around 54° when we are not in the house or are sleeping.

Next year I definately plan on getting plastic for the windows. By the time I went to buy it, they weren’t available anymore. We did have a giant hole in our basement, but that was in December and only lasted a few days until we were able to replace our door.

]]> By: rrenee http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-88486 rrenee Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:01:43 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-88486 Don't even get me started on February bill. I don't make that much money so I am very careful with my money and keep my heat low. Well, Jan. is usually my highest bill. Last month it was $130. Live in a two story house, nothing elaborate. Well guess what my bill was $203 this month. I kept my heat like I did for my Jan. bill and it was $70 more. This is so maddening. I have not had a bill this high since I bought my house 13 years ago. They stated that the cost of delivery charge of gas was higher. I do have a programable thermostat so I just don't get it. When I leave the house I put the heat down to 60. It's been kind of mild where I live at now, so when I leave the house I turn off the heat. This is the most frustating bill I have. Don’t even get me started on February bill. I don’t make that much money so I am very careful with my money and keep my heat low. Well, Jan. is usually my highest bill. Last month it was $130. Live in a two story house, nothing elaborate. Well guess what my bill was $203 this month. I kept my heat like I did for my Jan. bill and it was $70 more. This is so maddening. I have not had a bill this high since I bought my house 13 years ago. They stated that the cost of delivery charge of gas was higher. I do have a programable thermostat so I just don’t get it. When I leave the house I put the heat down to 60. It’s been kind of mild where I live at now, so when I leave the house I turn off the heat. This is the most frustating bill I have.

]]> By: fivecentnickel.com http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-88457 fivecentnickel.com Mon, 12 Mar 2007 02:14:20 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-88457 Weekly Roundup - 03/09/07... Here’s a quick look at some of the articles that caught my eye over the past week. Flexo spent a record amount on electricity last month. Jim talks about the risks of dollar cost averaging. FMF shares his opinion of DRIPs. JLP talks about inter... Weekly Roundup – 03/09/07…

Here’s a quick look at some of the articles that caught my eye over the past week.

Flexo spent a record amount on electricity last month.
Jim talks about the risks of dollar cost averaging.
FMF shares his opinion of DRIPs.
JLP talks about inter…

]]> By: The Digerati Life http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-88190 The Digerati Life Sun, 11 Mar 2007 07:30:02 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-88190 I was stunned when I got a bill of $700 for gas and electricity. I do have some square footage to cover though, and I had visitors over who used laptops, computers, heaters all day round. It was tough for me to budget when there were long term guests around. I was stunned when I got a bill of $700 for gas and electricity. I do have some square footage to cover though, and I had visitors over who used laptops, computers, heaters all day round. It was tough for me to budget when there were long term guests around.

]]> By: Debt Free http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87808 Debt Free Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:46:02 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87808 Flexo, How old is your appt.? Age could be a major factor in its energy efficiency. Insulation, double pane windows with energy efficient frames, the age of the appliances, are all major contributing factors to your electricity usage. In addition, you guys are suffering from a seriously cold winter over there. The amount of energy required to heat your 700 sq ft when it's 40 deg is way less than when it's 27. Brrr. Good god, man, throw on a sweater or something! Flexo,
How old is your appt.? Age could be a major factor in its energy efficiency. Insulation, double pane windows with energy efficient frames, the age of the appliances, are all major contributing factors to your electricity usage. In addition, you guys are suffering from a seriously cold winter over there. The amount of energy required to heat your 700 sq ft when it’s 40 deg is way less than when it’s 27. Brrr. Good god, man, throw on a sweater or something!

]]> By: Tammy http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87628 Tammy Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:56:31 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87628 Goodness, I was happy to see my light bill go down to $95 this month from $125 - I just put in another 100 gallons of oil though to heat my small house here in Maine. That's $500 in heathing oil in 30 days. Good thing it's March. Goodness, I was happy to see my light bill go down to $95 this month from $125 – I just put in another 100 gallons of oil though to heat my small house here in Maine. That’s $500 in heathing oil in 30 days. Good thing it’s March.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87616 Jerry Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:41:25 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87616 You can always ask the landlord/front desk. Most places don't care what you do as long as it's back to stock when you leave. You can always ask the landlord/front desk. Most places don’t care what you do as long as it’s back to stock when you leave.

]]> By: Flexo http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87601 Flexo Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:10:25 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87601 Jerry: I'd love to have a programmable thermostat. Unfortunately, I don't own the apartment, only rent. I'm not sure if they'd appreciate me changing what they have installed in the apartment. Jerry: I’d love to have a programmable thermostat. Unfortunately, I don’t own the apartment, only rent. I’m not sure if they’d appreciate me changing what they have installed in the apartment.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87600 Jerry Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:56:25 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87600 I would look at installing a programmable thermostat if possible. They are not hard at all to install, it took me all of fifteen minutes. We have it at 70 from 6-8 and 5-10. The rest of the time it's at 60. I'm not sure where you're located, but our last gas bill was ~$250 in Michigan. Average outside temp was 18, this was 1500 square feet or so with two bedrooms closed off. I would look at installing a programmable thermostat if possible. They are not hard at all to install, it took me all of fifteen minutes. We have it at 70 from 6-8 and 5-10. The rest of the time it’s at 60.

I’m not sure where you’re located, but our last gas bill was ~$250 in Michigan. Average outside temp was 18, this was 1500 square feet or so with two bedrooms closed off.

]]> By: Tight Fisted Miser http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87598 Tight Fisted Miser Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:32:54 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87598 That seems pretty high. The heating bill for my one bedroom apartment was $40. The highest bill this winter was $60. If it weren't for my apartment having single-pane aluminum frame windows my bill would probably be even less. That seems pretty high. The heating bill for my one bedroom apartment was $40. The highest bill this winter was $60. If it weren’t for my apartment having single-pane aluminum frame windows my bill would probably be even less.

]]> By: tinyhands http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87558 tinyhands Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:13:24 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87558 I'm all-electric too (heat, water, kitchen) and my Jan/Feb bill was the highest ever. I reprogrammed my thermostat (programmable digital unit) to more closely correlate to when I'm home and need heat. I started opening the blinds when I leave the house and closing them when I get home to capture heat from sunlight. I also shut off a halogen torchiere light that I had on a timer to light up the place in the evenings, although I found that it illuminated a room for hours that I merely passed-through when I came home. Compact fluorescent may be in my near future as well, but I might need to replace some fixtures (notably bathroom) first. I'm going to have to find some cheap ways to cool off the place soon, as summer is fast approaching the south. I’m all-electric too (heat, water, kitchen) and my Jan/Feb bill was the highest ever. I reprogrammed my thermostat (programmable digital unit) to more closely correlate to when I’m home and need heat. I started opening the blinds when I leave the house and closing them when I get home to capture heat from sunlight. I also shut off a halogen torchiere light that I had on a timer to light up the place in the evenings, although I found that it illuminated a room for hours that I merely passed-through when I came home. Compact fluorescent may be in my near future as well, but I might need to replace some fixtures (notably bathroom) first.

I’m going to have to find some cheap ways to cool off the place soon, as summer is fast approaching the south.

]]> By: anon http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87488 anon Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:38:11 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87488 I understand your shellshock. I just moved from North Carolina up to New Jersey, and I nearly fell over when I got my first electricity bill- $189 for a 600 sq ft apartment (as compared to $30 max down in NC) But that's to be expected- just wish it wasn't such a shock! I understand your shellshock. I just moved from North Carolina up to New Jersey, and I nearly fell over when I got my first electricity bill- $189 for a 600 sq ft apartment (as compared to $30 max down in NC) But that’s to be expected- just wish it wasn’t such a shock!

]]> By: MrsBart http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87487 MrsBart Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:14:32 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87487 Wow! That is a lot of money! I live in a 760 square foot condo in Massachusetts. I was upset about my $85 electric bill (which is heat, hot water and all electric). I'm so glad I've done so much toward energy efficiency! (I wear sweaters and wool socks and enjoy 62 degrees when I'm home.) Wow! That is a lot of money! I live in a 760 square foot condo in Massachusetts. I was upset about my $85 electric bill (which is heat, hot water and all electric). I’m so glad I’ve done so much toward energy efficiency! (I wear sweaters and wool socks and enjoy 62 degrees when I’m home.)

]]> By: Nick http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87480 Nick Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:51:32 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87480 Don't worry, you're not alone. Our heating bill this month was double the previous month. I guess that's what we get for having a December with consistent 60-degree days. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Our heating bill this month was double the previous month. I guess that’s what we get for having a December with consistent 60-degree days.

]]> By: Adil http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87473 Adil Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:27:40 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2007/03/08/february-heating-cost-way-up/#comment-87473 Just so you know, turning off the power strips will do nothing to save you electricity. The amount of power used by devices when they're supposedly off is negligible. Just so you know, turning off the power strips will do nothing to save you electricity. The amount of power used by devices when they’re supposedly off is negligible.

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