Home Heating Costs Drop -- But Don't Get Complacent!

Image: NY Times

Government Lowers Oil Cost Forecast

The government is saying the average fuel oil user can expect to pay on average $1,694 during this winter's heating season, a 13 percent increase over last winter. But that's nearly $700 less than what was projected by the agency only a month ago. 

But since prices are so volatile, it's time to look at alternatives to oil for heating homes.

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Bubble Wrap Lowers Heating Costs

Yes, Bubble Wrap!  It is a great insulator.  You use the "large bubble" type, cut to size and stick up on drafty windows.

No need for tape, and if there are guests coming you can pull it off the windows easily.

Portable Oil Filled Heaters

Have any of you tried oil-filled electric radiators?

I found one at a garage sale and it is working great. 

The brand is "Delonghi".  It really heats up a room!  Takes the chill out.

Nightcaps

Where to find Nightcaps:
Remember Scrooge from The Christmas Carol in his nightcap?  Well nightcaps are really warm.  Humans lose a lot of heat from uncovered heads. 

Foot Warmers

When your toes freeze up under your desk, plug in a foot warmer!  Great for putting under your computer workstation.

Wear Socks to Bed

It reduces heat loss greatly and feels very cozy.

Bob Cratchit gloves

Fashionable short finger gloves for the cold office.

Pellet Stoves

Sales of  Wood Pellet Stoves are skyrocketing!  Manufacturers of wood pellet stoves cannot make them fast enough.

Harman Stoves in Halifax, Pa., is adding more than 100 jobs to try to keep up with skyrocketing demand for its pellet stoves. The spike comes as homeowners want to make the switch from oil to heating with wood pellets.

The stoves burn inch-long pellets of compressed sawdust.  Can heat a home for about half the price of oil.  Wood pellets are easily transportable, as opposed to logs of wood.  Some people are trying to find the stoves on Craig's List since the waiting list is so long for a new one. (source:  NPR) Average price for new stove is $2,200.

How to Choose a Pellet Stove

Build an Earthship

Earthships are structures built with bermed earth and discarded auto tires.  They use passive solar heat, with slanted windows toward sun exposure and floors that absorb and radiate heat.  They are the brainchild of the architect, Michael Reynolds.  People with earthships in Canada claim it only costs 300 per year to heat.  Why isn't the media, government, etc. talking about these???

So what are you doing to cope with heating costs?

Don't Panic! Think of some practical ways to lower heating costs.

Painting:  Matt Sesow

Comments

[Joe Sixpack]

I'm in The People's Republic of Oregon at the moment. Great state if you can stand the horrible political climate west of the Cascades.

[Nancy Mehegan]

Great tips -- thanks. Joe Sixpack, just curious, in which state are you located?

[Joe Sixpack]

Good info. Here are a couple of things that have helped me with lowering my winter heating/electric bill:

Using CFL bulbs. These things are up to 80% more efficient than a standard incandescent bulb. They use a fraction of the energy and last up to ten times longer. Yes they cost a little more upfront, but they more than make up for it in the long run.

Doors and windows are a major factor in heat loss. Make sure the weather strips are good and if you don't have them on your doors/windows, I highly recommend installing them.

Using plug strips. I've got them all over my house heh. Something that I don't think a lot of people are aware of, is the fact that many of the things in our house that use electricity still draw a current even if they are off. Some even draw nearly as much current when they're off as they do when they are on. Using plug strips makes it easier to disconnect these things and save a good bit on your electric bill.

Take advantage of "free" heating when you can. This one is kind of a no brainer, but I thought I would mention it anyway since I've lived with folks that never really thought about it. What I mean by this is doing things like leaving the oven door open after you've shut it off and your meal is done. It will put out heat for quite a while after you've shut it off and you might as well use it since you've already used (and paid for) the energy to heat it up in the first place.

$.02