What temp do U keep your place & how's your Heating Bill? (Chicago: apartment, lease)

[Jesse69]

I live in a completely remodeled 3 story Wicker Park house. Walls were gutted and new good insulation was put in. Also central HVAC with the 2nd highest efficiency units for heating and A/C. We keep our whole house at 70 F. The house is heated by gas.

Last month's November Heating bill -
top floor - $47.71
1st flr & basement - $119.49

Electricity was a cheap $37

So what temperature do you keep your place, how efficient is it, and how much was your heating bill?

Before the remodeling we used wall gas heaters that were noisy and they were on often. These types of heaters have been banned from Chicago.

[deechee]

I live in the suburbs, so I don't know if I can be of much help (I'll try)

My gas bill last month: 60 bucks (Nicor Gas)
Programmed temperature is 75 degrees

It feels great to me!

Now contrast that to the city:

Avg gas bill (People's Gas): 100+ bucks (usually no more than 170)
Temperature kept on 72 at all times

Not so great, eh?

[Jesse69]

You also gotta tell us what you're heating - a house [how many flrs], Apt [how many rooms], or condo, etc...

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by Jesse69

Before the remodeling we used wall gas heaters that were noisy and they were on often. These types of heaters have been banned from Chicago.

Wait, you mean for new construction or new installation, yes? My apartment is heated by a wall gas furnace and aside from it being grossly expensive to heat they do a fine job.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by Jesse69

You also gotta tell us what you're heating - a house [how many flrs], Apt [how many rooms], or condo, etc...

Condo with wall to wall carpeting

[WhaThe]

I have a two story building.

My furnace is an 83% and I was like $112 on the 1st floor (800sf-900sf). I keep mine around 66, more than that is to warm for me with the humidifier going too. I also have sealed up some leaks I found that I think may help the bill next time around.

The top floor is one of those wall units Jesse says are banned, I think they are called space heaters. My tenant pays that bill.

I want to replace the wall unit but not sure with what yet. You hate to get rid of anything that works but it's old. I do know I want a separate unit for the upstairs.

Jesse, do you use separate units still or just one for the whole building now?

[Jesse69]

I think those wall heaters are banned for new construction.

1 HVAC for top floor; 1 separate HVAC for 1st floor & basement together.

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by Jesse69

I think those wall heaters are banned for new construction.

I'm not a landlord so I'm not totally up on code but I think the unvented gas or kerosene heaters/fireplaces may be banned but if your wall space heater/furnace/whatever is properly functioning and vents to the out-of-doors then I do not see the problem. I did a quick google search and turned up nothing about them being illegal. Find me a link so I can get out of my lease.

[Jesse69]

All I remember about my wall heaters was that when they remodeled they said the removed units were useless and can't be put somewhere else. They were often on during winter and I guess they were inefficient.

[Montclare]

The wall units are definitely useless and expensive. I have a 2 bedroom apartment, and in the wintertime, it's not unusual for my gas bill to be over $200.00, even though only the kitchen gets heat. Time to put up the plastic sheeting over the windows!