Winter Weather / Drafty Windows!

I'm upstairs now where the computer is and the room is quite cold because the winds are making the room drafty!

I live in Philadelphia and we have had a major snowstorm in the last 24 hours. What makes it even worse is that there are gusty winds outside and the windchill is going to go down to zero!

The window in this room is quite old - in fact I think it is the original window and to make it worse there is a crack in the window and I think that is where most of the cool air is coming from. Also too, the top of the window sill is slightly lowered and everytime I try to raise it up, it goes back down again!

I really do hate change and there are a couple of things that I could do to make this situation a little bit better. Number 1 - I have heard that using heavier curtains would help. Right now I still have the "summer" curtains which are made of very light material.

I tried sealing up the window crack with some duct tape - it doesn't look too pleasing but it does seal out some of the air.

If I got the window fixed that would help a lot but oh I don't want anyone to see the room because it is basically my computer room where I have all of my stuff and that stuff is a LOT of stuff - LOL! - but I'm thinking I'm going to have to get this window repaired at least by NEXT winter!

It wouldn't be so bad if the temperature outside was warmer but like I said the wind chills are expected to be zero!

In the meantime, I'm at work at the computer and its cold!

Actually mu ultimate would be to have a fireplace in this room and that is definitely on my wishlist. Not so much to save on the heating bills, I just like the look and feel of fireplaces and I would love to have one in EVERY room!

$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!

Hearth.com

Like I said I love fireplaces and I thought that this was just the most adorable picture that I have seen!

If you like talking about fireplaces or are seeking information about fireplaces or are looking for specific parts then Hearth.com
is the place for you. There is a message forum as well as pictures. You can browse the forums but in order to post to them you have to register but there is no cost involved to register.

Since I don't have a fireplace of my own yet I can look at the pictures of others and be jealous! One of the current topics is how mild the weather has been lately but everybody is preparing for the weather just in case a snowstorm comes along.

So if you enjoy fireplaces then this is the place for you!

Fireplaces

I got an email from someone that read on one of my pages that I love fireplaces! And they mentioned that they love them too. I don't know what it is about fireplaces but they just seem so peaceful and romantic (and besides living by the ocean) and so warm and inviting.
I mentioned to this person about how I wanted to bring back the fireplace in my house because there is supposed to be one here but it was covered up. And that got me to thinking that I should start making plans as to how I am going to accomplish this. First I have to be sure that there really was a fireplace here (I mean we have a chimney so doesn't that mean that there was one here?). Then I'm going to have to find out how I can get it back. The livingroom is quite full and I'm guessing that the fireplace would have to be where the sofa is now but I'll see. I don't want to move (or get rid of) the sofa and hopefully there will be a way that I can fit it in.