How can I possibly have a $198 electric bill??

[lizziegrace]

I have oil heat. My hot water tank is insulated. I turn off lights. I air dry clothes in my extra room. I have plastic on all 17 windows. My largest electric bill over the summer, running the A/C was $135. I'm drowning here. :(

[Paper Roses]

1. Do you, like me, have any of the electric, oil filled radiators?

I cringe each winter, knowing my bill will be over $200 each for 3 months. I make all the same economies you do. I have one baseboard electric radiator and 2 oil filled radiators.---In addition, I heat the house with oil($2.79 gal.) I use the hard wired radiator to heat the den which is an "EL" in back of my house. The two oil filed are supplements that I use when it is below 20 degrees or so. The insulation is poor and I cannot afford to have it done. I close off the rooms I do not use.

No matter what economy I take, the bills go up. I walk around with a robe over my clothes and sheepskin lined slippers. It is still cold and tomorrow's windy snowstorm will bring a cold and uncomfortable day.

[WhiteTara]

2. well, if the green bill goes through

you could have lots of help in insulating your house. There are programs out there right now, but more to come. Next winter, you'll be all toasty and rich!

[lizziegrace]

3. I have 3 of the portable kind

and keep them on the lowest setting (500 watts) My house was built in 1846 and the exterior is solid brick - 3 layers. The interior walls are also brick covered in a thin layer of plaster. No gaps to insulate. Only way I can see to insulate from the outside cold is to put up drywall and insulation over the 160 year old perimeter plaster walls. That or put siding over this magnificent old house. Since that will never be an option, I'll have to save during the year to heat the place.

I've got plastic up on all 24 windows and have rooms closed off. I was just shocked to see my winter electric bill 50% higher than my highest summer bill.

I would love to put in a wood or pellet stove for primary heat, but I rent and have no idea what condition the two chimneys are in.

Can't wait for spring!

[Paper Roses]

6. I saw the photo of your house on DU a while ago, it is beautiful.

My house is just a few years older, plaster walls, wide pine floorboards but mine is wood, not brick. I don't use the fireplaces because I know they take more warm air up the chimney than they send into the room. There are dampers but they would have to be closed after any fire. Can't close them with with live ash. Besides, I'm too lazy. When it is bedtime, I don't want to be shoveling ash into a firebucket(with cover) to take outside. This year for the first time, I rope caulked the sides, top and mid-section of every window and made large cardboard covers for the bedroom fireplaces. Even though they are now closed off, I can still hear the wind and hear the cardboard rustling around. I has made a difference in the cold on my second floor. The rope caulk is great. In the spring, when I finally raise the shades, I'll peel the stuff up and roll it so I can use it again next year. Just keep it in a sealed plastic bag so it won't dry out.

Just got a delivery of oil yesterday. $2.79 a gallon, came to $421.58.
Two more @#$%^& months and things should be better.

[lizziegrace]

7. Thank you!

I love being the caretaker of this grand old lady. She makes me feel safe and grounded. I'll do what I can to stay warm enough without compromising the history here.

I have caulk for some of the worst windows but didn't get it in place in time. I used foam core and foam strips to seal off both fireplace openings. The board I used is black like the marble fireplace hearths and I'll keep them in place year round.

I'm also thinking about putting insulation in the basement ceiling between the floor joists. The basement is colder than a root cellar in the winter and there's nothing between these old wood floors and that cold.

I paid $2.60 for my last oil deliver in early January. I'm grateful it's not another $4.50/gallon year!

Stay warm and keep your fingers crossed for spring to come sooner rather than later!

BTW, what region are you in?

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. Those little electric heaters, even on low, can really add up the $$$

.
.
.

I don't know what your rates are down there, but up here, with delivery and taxes average around 13cents a kilowatt - lets just do a "guesstimate" for you at 10cents a kilowatt.

3 heaters at 500 = 1500watts, or 1.5.kw

if running 24 hours a day, that's 36kw per day = $3.60/day

There's $108 right there IF you are only paying 10cents per kw.

SCARY - HUH?

11o volt heaters are pretty inefficient compared to 220/240 volt heaters(which have to be wired in permanently)

220/240 will give you between 3 - 4 times the heat/$ value - that's why houses with electric heat never use 110/120 - only 220/240

Don't have any solutions for a house that old other than wood heat really.

Only completely re-framing and insulating the inside can considerably cut down on heating costs.

If you can work a long term lease with the landlord, maybe share the cost of a wood-stove, BUT with a wood-heating device, insurance rates go WAY up - even more-so if the house is a rental.

Good luck

stay warm

somehow

:freak:

[lizziegrace]

5. Thanks!

I have been looking at the remote wood heaters that are put in the yard and look like a pump house. That would take the fire away from the house. Tying into the current oil furnace and electric hot water system would require some $$.

Just a fact of life with a house this old. I love this place and will find a way to make it work.

[Warpy]

8. One other possibility is that your meter was read incorrectly

and that a future bill will be adjusted accordingly.

If you're using multiple space heaters, though, that could also be the culprit. I keep rooms shut off in winter. It's cheaper to use an electric blanket than to heat the bedroom, for instance.

Having a winter bill higher than a peak AC bill is a little nuts.

[WhiteTara]

9. did they increase the electric rates?

sorry for the $$$hit. Our bill was $281!!!! I just scheduled an energy audit with our electric company. They do this free of charge. Then next winter, maybe I'll be warm for far less money.

[conscious evolution]

10. Do you have one of those new digital electric meters?

If so,then you are being charged peak hour rates.