Lowering the winter gas bill a bit (I hope)

aurielle · #1 (**permalink**) 10-21-2006, 08:01 PM

DH and I rent an old, uninsulated house with exposed beam ceilings with a natural gas wall heater. We already do what we can to try and keep the bill down and I had an idea today and DH is willing to go along with it. We have three propane tanks, two 5 gallon and one 10 gallon and and a propane heater that mounts right on the tank. Right now its perfect for warming up the house in the morning. We're still in what I call our indian summer weather pattern, with nighttime temps down in the 30's and daytime temps in the 80's. We're going to use it as much as possible to help keep the gas bill down. It's really only good for warming the room you're sitting in and not the whole house so its not a perfect solution but I think it will help alot. And like I told DH, the propane in the tank is already paid for. And no, the smell doesn't bother us and it doesn't bother my asthma

ETA: I just realized this is a Q&A forum, don't have a Q or an A, sorry!

tinapbeana · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 04:51 AM

you might want to consider a heated mattress pad. they're super cozy, work well, and obviously only keep you and the bed warm.

aurielle · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 08:16 AM

I had an electric blanket but it died last winter. I was planning on replacing it but now I'm going to have to research a heated mattress pad.

tinapbeana · #4 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aurielle

I had an electric blanket but it died last winter. I was planning on replacing it but now I'm going to have to research a heated mattress pad.

IMO, the mattress pad is MUCH better!. they don't shift or fall off the bed or get hogged by one partner or the other. we need to get a new one b/c we bought a queen size bed, but the one we had had extra coils at the feet to keep them toasty, and you could change heat settings. queen & kings sizes sometimes have dual controls, so one side can be warmer than the other.

it worked great for us b/c DH & i like to sleep in a cold room, & the mattress pad and our comforter make a nice warm cocoon.

cschin4 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 10:09 AM

I LOVE my electric blanket. And, I have a heated mattress pad too! I like to be evenly cooked on both sides!

Ima saver · #6 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 01:52 PM

I have one for my dog, but I don't like electric blankets at all!

LuxLiving · #7 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 02:50 PM

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - take your propane heater to your local fire department/marshal and let them check it out before you use it inside for heating. PLEASE!!

SAFETY FIRST!!!

I grew up in a home w/wood burning fireplace and later propane for heat so it isn't that I'm afraid of fire, or propane. It's the open flame part of this that concerns me.

This ends your public safety announcement.

shelbylovesmelby · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 03:34 PM

Where do you buy a heated matress pad???

tinapbeana · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelbylovesmelby

Where do you buy a heated matress pad???

got mine at wlamart before i stopped shopping there, but i know they have them at target/kmart/etc... just about any place that would sell regular mattress pads and heated blankets, i would think.

budgetmom · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006, 08:08 PM

When I was in my late teens and early twenties I kept having to move back home with my Dad (a story for a later date). He lived in an old farm house at the time that was not insulated very well. It had a root cellar under the living room. If you went down there and looked at the flooring you could see bits of the carpet pad in between the boards. We had a big propane tank (outside) to heat our house, but it could get real expensive sometimes. In order to cut back on costs we closed off (doors and vents) all non-essential rooms, like the spare bedroom, office sitting room and bathroom. We only opened them up if we had company and needed to use the room. The bathroom door stayed open only when we were showering (that also helped keep the winter dryness out of the air some). I cooked a lot and let the heat of the stove/oven help for warmth. We always layered our clothes (long underwear were are best friends!). I used an electric blanket only when it was well below 0 outside, the rest of the time I just doubled up on my blankets. My dad had a heated water bed and only turned it up if the temp fell well below 0.

bjl584 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-24-2006, 09:16 AM

Have you considered calling the landlord and demanding that insulation be installed? It seems to me that an uninsulated house may qualify as unreasonable and/or unsafe living conditions. Just a thought.

Fern · #12 (**permalink**) 10-24-2006, 01:08 PM

I would never use a heated mattress pad or an electric blanket.

When i was in my 20s my MOTHER gave me an old one she had and it started to burn while i was sleeping. I could have died! I called 911, the firemen arrived and the chief told me if you insist on using them (he wouldn't) you should use it for ONE YEAR then throw it out becus they are unsafe.

I was living in VT at the time and had about 5 layers of blankets and a homemade quilt; the fire burned a hole about 3 feet in diameter through all 5 layers. I would have been next if i hadn't woken up at 2 am to a burning chemical smell.

simpleyme · #13 (**permalink**) 10-24-2006, 01:09 PM

How about asking the landlord about up grading the or adding insulation
I bet demanding it would not get anyone very far ;-)