does a $300+ heating bill to heat a 700sqft apartment seem high? (Chicago: renting, house)

[eevee]

title explains it all. the 2 bedroom I'm renting is under 700sqft yet this month, despite the fact my roommate and I have been turning off the heat every time we leave the house, our heating bill was over $100 more expensive than last's month (when we weren't as careful about turning off the heat) and is now over $300

is anyone else paying this amount for a similar sized apartment. it's an older place, and it is a bit drafty in the main rooms (but the windows in the bedrooms are much better) but not ridiculously so

[chet everett]

Gas or electric?

It has been real cold lately, but that seems high to me. You sure you're only paying for just the one apartment???

[NCN]

We do a whole house in North Carolina for around $100. We heat with an electric heat pump.

[chet everett]

It was 4 degrees here in Chicago this morning. Heat pumps are not very efficient below 32 degrees, mostly you'd end relying on electrical resistance heating. That get real expensive real fast.

[eevee]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Gas or electric?

It has been real cold lately, but that seems high to me. You sure you're only paying for just the one apartment???

it's gas. I hope we're only paying for one apartment (though we're in an attached "coach house" so there's no one above or below us, if that matters at all)

[chet everett]

If the landlord is responsible for maintaining the furnace it is probably worth a call to have them check it. If it is forced air a new filter is probably a good idea. If it is hydronic the bleeds should be checked. Might be worthing asking for automatic setback thermostat.

I suppose you are paying for cooking gas and a water heater too. There are ways to save on that. Shorten cooking times. Take quicker colder showers, wash the clothes in cold only.

It is going to get a lot colder. Prepare for higher bills. Track down air leaks. Check to see if you can put the window shrink wrap on, it makes the place a lot less drafty.

Good Luck!

[fnord]

Sounds very high. Two years ago I was paying to heat a big, drafty 2 story house (don't know square footage, but much more than 700 sq ft) in Portland, OR and the highest heating bill was $280. That was for gas heat, and included a water heater. Do your best to seal all windows and door cracks, and have the landlord check out the furnace.

[Steve-o]

Thats ridiculous! There is definitely something wrong there. It used to only cost us $70 to heat a 1,100 sq. ft apartment (gas)!

[eevee]

ugh, this is frustrating. especially since my roommate likes to walk around the house in shorts and a tank top and complain about it being cold (even w/ the thermostat reading around 70+ degrees ). we're going to need to sit down and discuss better ways of maintaining the heat (I have a feeling that ,since the bills are in my name, she's going to somehow put the blame on me, even though I'm out of the house 7 days a week). I think we have forced air (we have grates on the floor and the hot air comes out from there). I guess I'm gonna need to talk to the LL and try to set up a budget plan w/ People's Gas

[chicagocubs]

This might be your problem. 70+ degrees? The days of affording that kind of temperature are long gone.

My temps are set on 64 degrees overnight, 68 when I am awake and I shut it off entirely when I am gone. Yes, I am in NC and I can do that without bursting pipes. But, another suggestion would be to install a programmable thermostat and tell the roommate that she is going to have to wear a few sweaters.......and lower that thermostat!!!