Got light bill today

**myrdale** · 01-01-2010, 06:58 PM

My light bill is reasonable, $50 usually, BUT I am a single guy who lives alone.

My gas bill is just plain stupid though. It averages $90 a month, and any where from a quarter to half of that can be service charges. They vary month to month. They will hit me with an extra $90 hook up fee on my first bill since I just got it turned back on in December. I've averaged $25 to $30 in fees with no usuage at all during the summer months. I will have it turned off again at the end of March most likely.

I'd love to have a gas stove for cooking, but there I think their prices are just too unreasonable.

I mainly run the furnace when I first wake up, a little bit right after I get home from work, and a bit before I go to bed. Otherwise I try to use an electric heater if I am going to be in only one room for any length of time.

**GrimJack** · 01-02-2010, 06:27 PM

Check to see if any of the bills were estimated - sometimes, bills are estimated one time and read the next. Do you get a yearly comparison? Our bills come with bar graphs showing the last 13 months bills.

Check that none of your hot-water taps are leaking; take a walk around your living quarters to see if something has changed (like a piece of siding missing or some other way heat loss could change).

**mom-from-missouri** · 01-02-2010, 06:41 PM

Ours is at 63 at night and 65 to 67 during the day.
We layer up during the day, and either have a heavy quilt, heated water bed, or electric blanket for night.
We not only stay comfortable, but since keeping the heat lower have had fewer colds and sickness.

**KTP** · 01-02-2010, 10:52 PM

Last year our electric bill was $973 (2 month billing cycle though) in Dec/Jan.

We were keeping a 3500 sq ft house at 70.

This year I bought some electric blankets and keep the house at 58

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 01-03-2010, 09:41 AM

Hey, KTP, your bill made my eyes bug out

, but then I compared your per square foot charge to my own. (Should really compare cubic feet.) They are the same! Yet my thermostat has already been kept at 62-64 F. My much smaller, old brick & plaster house has no cavity to insulate.

My furnace is really working hard today and yesterday!

**cptacek** · 01-03-2010, 09:44 AM

I averaged $215/month for gas, electric, water and trash pickup last year. I live in a drafty two bedroom house that needs a new back door and new windows, as well as needing to either seal up the fireplace or put in a wood burning stove and start using it.

**cicy33** · 01-03-2010, 10:56 AM

I have to say that 68 is my limit. cost or no cost. even at that my nose runs all day. i have on two shirts, pants, socks, slippers and my fuzzy wuzzy robe over that. I am still cold on my hands and face

**elessar78** · 01-03-2010, 04:54 PM

I'm pretty warm blooded too and we moved to a much colder area within the last two years and I was unprepared for it last year. This year we keep the place at 62 degrees and I feel comfortable now! But I made some adjustments to my wardrobe... I researched how people stay warm outdoors and modified it for indoor living.

Basically one feels cold either because they have body parts exposed or they are fully clothed but have sweat/moisture trapped next to their skin by their clothing. Cotton is a major culprit because it traps water, think of a sweat soaked t-shirt while working out.

What you want to do is dress in layers.

Base layer-thermal long johns and long sleeved shirts. Ideally not cotton. Polypropylene is pretty great. You can also try a polyester/cotton blend. Don't forget the feet--wicking socks keep your feet dry. You can also try sock liners, they are thin liners that go underneath your actual socks to, again, pull moisture away.

Insulating layer--fleece/polar fleece works pretty well you can get em in pants too. Feeling warm is about the air that's trapped near your body that heats up.

Hats-most heat is lost through the head. A hooded sweatshirt works too.

This is another weird one, but if I start to feel really cold I bust out some jumping jacks for 3 minutes or do push ups--these warm me up really quickly and has the added benefit of exercise.

Anyway, sounds impractical but more socks and long underwear probably cost me under $100.

**GrimJack** · 01-03-2010, 06:57 PM

What I have found is that keeping your feet comfortable keeps the rest of you comfortable (either warm or cool). I recommend warm slippers, rugs, and Jumping Jacks ((-nods to elessar78-). Studies show that just warming floors keeps the occupants warmer.

**myrdale** · 01-03-2010, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by cptacek View Post

I averaged $215/month for gas, electric, water and trash pickup last year. I live in a drafty two bedroom house that needs a new back door and new windows, as well as needing to either seal up the fireplace or put in a wood burning stove and start using it.

You will be amazed at the difference those changes can make. I put more insulation in the overhead and had most of my windows replaced. I can feel a difference.

**cptacek** · 01-04-2010, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by myrdale View Post

You will be amazed at the difference those changes can make. I put more insulation in the overhead and had most of my windows replaced. I can feel a difference.

I know for sure that the new back door will do wonders. It had a doggy door that the previous owner had just put a piece of cardboard over. I taped around it, and put plastic over it as well

**cicy33** · 01-05-2010, 03:43 PM

Originally posted by elessar78 View Post

I'm pretty warm blooded too and we moved to a much colder area within the last two years and I was unprepared for it last year. This year we keep the place at 62 degrees and I feel comfortable now! But I made some adjustments to my wardrobe... I researched how people stay warm outdoors and modified it for indoor living.

Basically one feels cold either because they have body parts exposed or they are fully clothed but have sweat/moisture trapped next to their skin by their clothing. Cotton is a major culprit because it traps water, think of a sweat soaked t-shirt while working out.

What you want to do is dress in layers.

Base layer-thermal long johns and long sleeved shirts. Ideally not cotton. Polypropylene is pretty great. You can also try a polyester/cotton blend. Don't forget the feet--wicking socks keep your feet dry. You can also try sock liners, they are thin liners that go underneath your actual socks to, again, pull moisture away.

Insulating layer--fleece/polar fleece works pretty well you can get em in pants too. Feeling warm is about the air that's trapped near your body that heats up.

Hats-most heat is lost through the head. A hooded sweatshirt works too.

This is another weird one, but if I start to feel really cold I bust out some jumping jacks for 3 minutes or do push ups--these warm me up really quickly and has the added benefit of exercise.

Anyway, sounds impractical but more socks and long underwear probably cost me under $100.

but none of this helps my hands and face! and my hands get really cold anyways just from normal typing. I tried to type once with gloves, does not work. and I hate hats and would not be able to stand wearing a full face one. itchy!

**cicy33** · 01-05-2010, 07:06 PM

I went online today and signed up for the budget billing. I think that at least it will keep it to a set amount. it was for 174 a month. I figure by the end of next year it will balance out and at least I wont have a big surprise every month

**wincrasher** · 01-06-2010, 06:06 AM

You can still get a surprise at the end of the year on those even payment plans - so you stil need to be cautious.

You should start looking at thermal pane replacement windows and insulation upgrades - you could have a reasonable payoff if your electrical/gas bills are so high.

Personally I love winter. Here at the electric company all our stacks are billowing steam and all the equipment running has this nice steady humm. We really love you rate-payers!

Got light bill today