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mommy2Two
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 218 total posts
Name:
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With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
i don't know anyone who has not heard about the crazy oil prices at around $5/gal now. first of all  i thought it would take until the winter to hit there. but no...which might mean something around $6 for the winter....
anyhow, other than a conversion which is about $3500 with practically free equipment from electric co and plumber's fee....
(i don't plan on doing this right now b/c i'll need to spend that plus pay for gas which is not holy cow cheaper than oil. it would still be $250 or so in the winter)
What other options is everyone seeking?
I have a wood burning fireplace that i am getting a fireplace blower for (about $500) that should increase the heat output by 5-6 folds. My house was double insulated a couple years back so i can't possibily insulate more.
What other ideas to decrease oil use?
Oh and also, i have been always keeping the temp at 72. i will try around 69 this winter. (this about as low as i can really take it)
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Posted 5/30/08 10:54 PM  |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
72?
Wow... i was keeping the temperature at 69 max and 65 overnight.
I am not sure what i'm going to do yet, besides pay it.
Hopefully by the winter i'll have my hot tub in the back yard so I can stay warm in that. 
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| Posted 5/30/08 11:06 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
We have been keeping the temp in the house at 60 when we aren't home, 68 when we are and 64 when we are sleeping. A digital programmable thermostat was our best investment.
Since gas isn't available in our area, we are going to invest in a pellet stove. Even though it's $4000, it will pay itself off in a year with these oil prices. We went through about 800 gallons this past winter at $2.60/gallon - double that price and we are looking at a $4000 oil expense as opposed to using half the amount of oil with a pellet stove.
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| Posted 5/30/08 11:08 PM |
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mommy2Two
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 218 total posts
Name:
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Posted by ave1024
72?
Wow... i was keeping the temperature at 69 max and 65 overnight.
I am not sure what i'm going to do yet, besides pay it.
Hopefully by the winter i'll have my hot tub in the back yard so I can stay warm in that.
i kept the heat at 72 since my daughter was born. you know the whole babies thing and all. and of course at night b/c she doesn't keep her blanket on. and now i've just gotten use to a very nice 72 degrees. she'll be 2 by this winter and that girl will learn to put her blanket on real quick b/c it sure will be chilly this winter in this house! i find at 69, i need a sweater. i will try to lower one degree until i just am too darn cold.
how much of an oil savings is there if you did shave let's say 5 degree off? would it really be sooo substancial?
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| Posted 5/30/08 11:18 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Posted by mommy2Two
how much of an oil savings is there if you did shave let's say 5 degree off? would it really be sooo substancial?
I always wondered the answer to this. You would think you would save a lot by lowering it 5 degrees.
But does the furnace really work that much less maintaining a 67 temp over a 72 temp? If it's freezing out the house temperature will still drop in time and the furnace would have to keep turning on to maintain the temp.
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| Posted 5/30/08 11:22 PM |
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mommy2Two
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 218 total posts
Name:
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Posted by Gertyrae
We have been keeping the temp in the house at 60 when we aren't home, 68 when we are and 64 when we are sleeping. A digital programmable thermostat was our best investment.
Since gas isn't available in our area, we are going to invest in a pellet stove. Even though it's $4000, it will pay itself off in a year with these oil prices. We went through about 800 gallons this past winter at $2.60/gallon - double that price and we are looking at a $4000 oil expense as opposed to using half the amount of oil with a pellet stove.
do you oil exclusively for heating?
I do, and this year i used about 600 gallons. last season i used 800 gallons. i got a new furnace last year (for free with my cac, another story) and even though this winter was milder according to everyone it seems, i think it was still due to the new furnace. so there is something to think about if you haven't already done so.
i leave my thermostat at a constant 72 so these oil uses are from that.
also, i double insulated my home a few years back and that also saved me about 100 gallons/year.
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| Posted 5/30/08 11:24 PM |
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mommy2Two
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 218 total posts
Name:
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Posted by ave1024
Posted by mommy2Two
how much of an oil savings is there if you did shave let's say 5 degree off? would it really be sooo substancial?
I always wondered the answer to this. You would think you would save a lot by lowering it 5 degrees.
But does the furnace really work that much less maintaining a 67 temp over a 72 temp? If it's freezing out the house temperature will still drop in time and the furnace would have to keep turning on to maintain the temp.
i suppose that since we may never know the true answer to this you and i will continue to lower the temps in order to "try" to save money. in our heads it's working and until something comes out, some research on this or somthing, we'll do what we're doing. and hell, and even if they do find something, we'll probably still turn it down just b/c we still believe we're saving money.
it's like that tv thing from years ago. don't sit too close to the tv or you'll go blind... and now tvs don't give off that much radiation and there is research stating that your kids can sit with their nose on it and the whole nine and not have the same effect...and i still yell at my kids...sit back or you'll go blind!!
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| Posted 5/30/08 11:28 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Posted by mommy2Two
I do, and this year i used about 600 gallons.
 You made me go and check to see exactly how much we used and it was a little less than 500 gallons from 08/07 until now...so it would end up costing us approx. $3K if the winter stays as mild as it was last year.
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| Posted 5/30/08 11:38 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
we are buying a pellet stove and entertaining adding solar panels again.
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| Posted 5/31/08 12:17 PM |
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
I am going to look into a pellet stove, space is an issue though... not sure where to put it
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| Posted 5/31/08 12:22 PM |
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babyfaith
Onward and Upward!
Member since 2/08 3210 total posts
Name:
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
I was reluctant to convert to gas last summer but DH convinced me. It cost us 4K and was the best money we ever spent. Not only is the gas cheaper but because it was a new, high efficiency burner we used much less gas.
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| Posted 5/31/08 12:24 PM |
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metagefken
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/08 679 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
i have a coal stove that i will be using this year exclusively. will use the oil just for hot water. ive had enough of oil prices.
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| Posted 5/31/08 2:22 PM |
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TJLealand3
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/07 839 total posts
Name:
Thomas
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Luckily we converted last year, if not I would be saving my vacation days for use in the winter...... it would be cheaper to go to FL on vacation then pour oil into the burner.
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| Posted 5/31/08 2:29 PM |
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Cpt2007
A new love!
Member since 1/08 5946 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
other things you can do are make sure your windows are tightly sealed and properly caulked; close the doors to any rooms you don't use like offices, play rooms, etc; make sure your chimney is clean and that your doors to the fireplace are a good tight fit. Getting rid of drafts and leaks helps a lot.
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| Posted 5/31/08 3:40 PM |
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tray831
Dee-licious!
Member since 3/06 5355 total posts
Name:
His Baby
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
DH installed a Geothermal Heating and Cooling system in our home..........so we will not be using any oil whatsoever to heat our home.........thankfully! 
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| Posted 5/31/08 5:07 PM |
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
We will definitely be using our fireplace more!
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| Posted 5/31/08 5:50 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
counting my blessing my apartment has electric heat- and in a middle unit in the middle of the row of attached 3 family homes
and then I am moving to FL- so I don't have to worry about oil
this was one of my reasons for wanting to finally move
and the fact that my family lives there- why freeze alone
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| Posted 5/31/08 8:04 PM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
You might want to consider insulated curtains to help minimize heat loss through windows. It may not make a major difference but it could help cut down on drafts which would help it feel warmer.
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| Posted 5/31/08 9:14 PM |
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bigspender
Back to school
Member since 4/07 1385 total posts
Name:
Irene
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
I honestly dont know what we are going to do. It is freaken insane.
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| Posted 5/31/08 10:09 PM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Continue with my balanced billing. It will be $185/month until next April!!
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| Posted 5/31/08 10:11 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Pray that the price per barrel continues to drop...and make sure I fill up my tank in September when traditionally the oil should be at it's cheapest.
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| Posted 5/31/08 10:39 PM |
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
We will be buying LOTS of heavy sweaters and blankets!
Ugh - I am DREADING this winter. Even though we only use oil for heating, it still cost us about @2200 this winter (we are on a budget billing - we pay $180 a month each month for the entire year). This was at a lock-in price of $2.79 The heat's not gong on ntil December next year. 
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| Posted 5/31/08 10:55 PM |
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mommy2Two
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 218 total posts
Name:
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Posted by tray831
DH installed a Geothermal Heating and Cooling system in our home..........so we will not be using any oil whatsoever to heat our home.........thankfully!
what is it??
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| Posted 6/1/08 3:00 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
Posted by Gertyrae
We have been keeping the temp in the house at 60 when we aren't home, 68 when we are and 64 when we are sleeping. A digital programmable thermostat was our best investment.
Since gas isn't available in our area, we are going to invest in a pellet stove. Even though it's $4000, it will pay itself off in a year with these oil prices. We went through about 800 gallons this past winter at $2.60/gallon - double that price and we are looking at a $4000 oil expense as opposed to using half the amount of oil with a pellet stove.
We are also going the pellet stove route. Over the winter, our thermostat was on 62 all day while we worked, 68 while we were home from work until we went to bed, then it was back on 62. We also have the digital programmable one.
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| Posted 6/1/08 4:31 PM |
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mommy2bella
Where does time go?
Member since 12/05 9747 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: With Oil prices skyrocketing...what are your plans for this winter
As a reformed 72 during the night and 70 during the day girl I lived this whole winter with the heat at 65 at night and 60 during the day when we were not home. I dressed Bella in feet pajamas and wore a sweater in the house. It WAS a very mild winter, but our heat usage was a HUGE difference...
BUT I am still scared with the oil at the rate it is now. we had a $1.20 a gallon jump from our Jan '07 contract to our Jan '08 contract and that scares me.
We have a gas line on our street and are seriously considering converting before January.
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| Posted 6/2/08 10:37 AM |
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