Monday, December 01, 2008

$187 Heating Bill!



Don't get me wrong - I love my house - but oh the heating bill!

It's been colder than usual the past 2 months and my heating bill is surely reflecting that!

My home is an older home and the windows - I believe - are still the original windows. There is one window in particular upstairs where I can definitely feel a draft when it is cold and windy outside but I have yet to repair that window! The other windows are still working fine and the doors have those thingies on them - meaning a flap-like plastic that goes on the bottom of the door to keep the wind out.

I have already had my home assessed as to how to help save on my heating bill and I did recive a new boiler heating system courtesy of one of those government grants programs. I don't know if I'll get my home re-evaluated again because nothing has really changed as far as any improvements or repairs to the house is concerned.

I have a gas heater and my stove also runs on gas as well. Now when my home was assessed for energy efficiency I remember the man telling me that using the oven uses a lot of gas and to try and use it as less as possible but I just can't see not enjoying the use of my stove from time to time! I mean what's the point in having a stove if you don't use it?

During the summer I can't complain because my heating bill is sometimes less than $20! It's just during the winter months when the heating bill is much higher (much, much higher!)

I am grateful though to even be able to HAVE heat and it's such a nice feeling to be able to come into a warm house after being out in the cold!

I just have to compromise! I work at home so that gives me some "leeway" as far as my income is concerned - meaning that I don't have a fixed salary and I can earn as much as I want (and am able to). I just have to earn more money and budget my heating expenses!

I like coming home to a warm house!

By the way, I'm still working on that fireplace!