It's frikkin cold outside

[tixer]

Steve: I'm 1900 square feet, but I picked up a "Nest" thermostat about a year ago and have it set moderately aggressively. something like 61 overnight, 63 from 6-7 am, then back to 61. up to 67 at 3:30p till 10pm.

plus it has a motion sensor, so when I'm not around, it defaults to an "away" mode that can be as low as 54..

I can't wait to get a woodburning insert installed. The fireplace is there, but nonfunctional, and my house has a fairly open floorplan. It should heat well. The last quote I got was about $5k for prep/repair/installation, and the stove itself..

Eric, $108 is not bad at all. You may want to pop your head into the attic to check your insulation, but it sounds like you are in pretty good shape.

 

[steve]

If i set the t-stat like that i would get attacked by the woman in the house and my house is occupied all the time. i took my t-stat off program mode and have is set for 69F all the time due to my baby daughter in the house.
I paid $99 last month, that is for heat, hot water, cooking gas and clothes dryer, the dryer goes every day. I figure the stove is saving me at least $100 a month and when i use it the house is in the low 70s deg. That price sounds about right for a pro install and a good insert.

 

[tixer]

If i set the t-stat like that i would get attacked by the woman in the house

This might explain why nobody wants to date me. Although for the right woman, I'd probably let her make adjustments...

My gas is running the furnace and hot water only. The hot water runs around $26/month in the summertime.

Thanks for the confirmation on the insert pricing. It's a local place that only does fireplaces. I like 'em, and I'd like to support a local business. I was hoping they weren't too out of line.

 

[tbirddmnd]

How I envy you guys. My house, built in 1958, has most of its' insulation around knee-level in the walls. It resembles old corroded newspaper. The thermostat is set to 74 and on really cold days/nights it hits 75. My gas is run to the furnace and hot water heater.

I could use some better insulation here but don't have the funds to pay someone to do it or the know-how to do it myself. You don't want to know my winter gas bills.

 

[steve]

In NJ the labor prices are high. Also when i talk to the guy they pay high insurance because they are up on roofs all the time. Make sure that price included permits and hold back of 10% until you pass final inspections.
People do installs on their own. I think my insert was north of 400 lb, so worth not braking my back over.

 

[steve]

i used a NJ state program that subsides energy programs. last year i used the program to have my attic air sealed and insulation blown in. the program did have 0% financing depending on what you were doing. I did pay out of pocket but the state also kicked in like $1500 in subsidies.

How I envy you guys. My house, built in 1958, has most of its' insulation around knee-level in the walls. It resembles old corroded newspaper. The thermostat is set to 74 and on really cold days/nights it hits 75. My gas is run to the furnace and hot water heater.

I could use some better insulation here but don't have the funds to pay someone to do it or the know-how to do it myself. You don't want to know my winter gas bills.

 

[tixer]

Gonzo: If your house has an attic, pop your head up there and look around. If you can see the trusses, adding some blow-in insulation will save you some major cash. More is better, and for my climate, 14" is a good start. I'd go for 17.

Most of the home improvement stores will lend you the blower for free if you buy so many bales of the blow-in stuff. It's kind of a messy job, and takes two people. (one to feed the blower, and another in the attic doing the blowing.) but not really difficult. wear dust masks.

edit: also, be careful not to block the airflow from the vents on your eaves. (if you have them)

 

[beerdog]

That is all.

No big deal. Garage is heated.

 

[SCTBIRD1173]

My gas heating bills are upwards of $180 when it's this cold out. House is around 1800 square feet and we have the heat set to 68 all the time upstairs and turns down to 60 downstairs after 10PM. I know my doors truly suck and they will be the first things to go. Windows aren't bad but the house was built in 1980 so what was good then and whats good now is pretty different I'm sure.

Steve tell me more about this NJ program...

 

[Mike P]

yea its cold here too

 

[Meister]

You guys are crazy!

It was in the low 70's here today, I turned on the AC in my car at lunch!

Doug

 

[steve]

My gas heating bills are upwards of $180 when it's this cold out. House is around 1800 square feet and we have the heat set to 68 all the time upstairs and turns down to 60 downstairs after 10PM. I know my doors truly suck and they will be the first things to go. Windows aren't bad but the house was built in 1980 so what was good then and whats good now is pretty different I'm sure.

Steve tell me more about this NJ program...

http://www.njcleanenergy.com/main/rebates-and-promotions/rebates-and-promotions

if you are interested i can recommended a guy, FYI i am heating about 2400 sq ft give or take

 

[steve]

that is a good idea but even better to air seal first

Gonzo: If your house has an attic, pop your head up there and look around. If you can see the trusses, adding some blow-in insulation will save you some major cash. More is better, and for my climate, 14" is a good start. I'd go for 17.

Most of the home improvement stores will lend you the blower for free if you buy so many bales of the blow-in stuff. It's kind of a messy job, and takes two people. (one to feed the blower, and another in the attic doing the blowing.) but not really difficult. wear dust masks.

edit: also, be careful not to block the airflow from the vents on your eaves. (if you have them)

 

[95blklsc]

Steve: I'm 1900 square feet, but I picked up a "Nest" thermostat about a year ago and have it set moderately aggressively. something like 61 overnight, 63 from 6-7 am, then back to 61. up to 67 at 3:30p till 10pm.

plus it has a motion sensor, so when I'm not around, it defaults to an "away" mode that can be as low as 54..

How do you like the nest t-stat? I've been thinking about getting a few, but as nice as they are $250 a pop is pricey. We have three zones with the forced hot air part of the system, we could get away with only replacing two, but that's still $500. I do like being able to monitor run time, temp remotely etc. we couldn't use the first gen because our house has two stage heating and cooking and it wasn't compatible, but the new one is. I would love to get your opinion on it since you have used it first hand.

Our house really hasn't been too bad to heat so far. We have propane and a 94% efficient furnace along with a well insulated and built house. On the coldest days we have been using about 4 gallons a day for heat with forced hot air on the main floor, heating the basement slab with radiant, hot water and cooking. The house is about 3400 square feet, all cathedral ceilings (25 feet),and a number of large windows. Our bedroom is literally the size of our old apartment and we would spend 200+ a month heating a very tiny place and keeping it cold. It is amazing how we aren't using many more btu's that that little place.

 

[Lvnmarks]

I had a big ice dam on my roof a few weeks ago so I sat on my roof for 2 hours with my garden hose hooked up to my water heater. Luckily it was 38* out, I can't imagine doing it this week. So I know I have some work to do in my attic this summer. Mike let me know when you’re looking to buy a furnace, I might be able to get you a good one at cost.

 

[Lvnmarks]

How do you like the nest t-stat? I've been thinking about getting a few, but as nice as they are $250 a pop is pricey. We have three zones with the forced hot air part of the system, we could get away with only replacing two, but that's still $500. I do like being able to monitor run time, temp remotely etc. we couldn't use the first gen because our house has two stage heating and cooking and it wasn't compatible, but the new one is. I would love to get your opinion on it since you have used it first hand.

Our house really hasn't been too bad to heat so far. We have propane and a 94% efficient furnace along with a well insulated and built house. On the coldest days we have been using about 4 gallons a day for heat with forced hot air on the main floor, heating the basement slab with radiant, hot water and cooking. The house is about 3400 square feet, all cathedral ceilings (25 feet),and a number of large windows. Our bedroom is literally the size of our old apartment and we would spend 200+ a month heating a very tiny place and keeping it cold. It is amazing how we aren't using many more btu's that that little place.

I do miss the $17 a month heating bill from my old apartment, but I don’t miss the gun fights and the wake up calls from the ST Paul police.

I just put plastic film over all the windows on the main floor of my house and it seems to hold the heat allot better now (all but two of the windows are from 1956). I would recommend the $20/4 hr investment.

 

[95blklsc]

I did that in the apartment and it made a good difference on those old windows. The windows at my new place are really good, they aren't drafty at all, no need here.

 

[billcu]

Finally, some proper winter temperatures!:thumbsup:

I love single digit and below zero temps. It's winter, you have to wear a coat anyway, and usually, with these temps, it's dry and clear sky, sunny out.

You dress for it, walk outside, open your arms and enjoy it. Fear of the cold can make you colder.

I hate 20-35 degree winters, grey skies, wet snow/freezing rain slop.:frown:

It was 0 driving to work this morning, but it was twice as cold as that, with the wind.

 

[BadSax]

Finally, some proper winter temperatures!:thumbsup:

I love single digit and below zero temps. It's winter, you have to wear a coat anyway, and usually, with these temps, it's dry and clear sky, sunny out.

You dress for it, walk outside, open your arms and enjoy it. Fear of the cold can make you colder.

I hate 20-35 degree winters, grey skies, wet snow/freezing rain slop.:frown:

It was 0 driving to work this morning, but it was twice as cold as that, with the wind.

whatever...

 

[KStromberg]

The trusty 92 F150 has started on these cold mornings just fine. Although I will say on the very first cold morning it let out a death scream like no other out on the boulevard. It scared the crap out of me enough to let off the throttle and just about pull over. It immediately went away as I got back into the throttle. I think it just felt like giving me its brutally honest opinion. WEIRD. lol.