Have you turned on your heat yet? (neighborhood, square footage)

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

2 weeks into a new house, I installed a couple of Nest Thermostats and have been fun with those trying to program a schedule that keeps heat use down when not at home. Interesting little devices.

Anyway, Previous owner ripped the insulation out in the garage for some reason. Just studs and outer plywood in there. There's a finished room over the garage that has it's own heat zone that I notice cools off VERY quickly, and I notice the garage stays warmer than outside, so i'm def losing some heat here.

picked up some insulation and need to go to town in there.

Also discovered the 1/2 bath in the master has an original window in it and WOW does it get cold in there at night. I'll need to replace that window and add some insulation in there as well.


It's been a fun 2 weeks though. Time to start painting.

It's possible your garage got some water damage, so the PO had to rip out the wet insulation. My concrete garage is not insulated except between the ceiling and the family room above. Last winter it stayed at around 30 degrees the entire winter despite long stretches of sub-freezing temps. Hard to tell whether you have heat loss from the living room through the garage, but I'd recommend getting a Mass Save energy assessment. I got my house sealed and insulated at 25% of the normal rate (75% was subsidized by Mass Save). They were 2 separate jobs, so you can choose one or the other or both.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

In the winter months our electric heat bill is about 400 a month. Crazy. We try to be minimal and keep the heat low but we still sometimes need to turn it on at night. We have a 19 month old...but even if we didn't I think I'd still want the heat on at night at times.

You should seriously consider a new heating system. That's insane.

[LovinLifeinMA]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

In the winter months our electric heat bill is about 400 a month. Crazy. We try to be minimal and keep the heat low but we still sometimes need to turn it on at night. We have a 19 month old...but even if we didn't I think I'd still want the heat on at night at times.

I saw your prev. comment about feeling drafty in the home. If you haven't done so, call mass save for an energy audit. They will come out for free and check your home for improvements you can make and give you a report on their findings. They also gave us a bunch of free light bulbs.

A colleague of mine had insulation put in and about 75% of the cost was covered by the mass save program.

As far as your electric bill, you can also select your energy provider. We went with constellation and got rid of National Grid. You can find more info at https://www.chooseenergy.com/massach...FYEfHwod3JwH7w.
Hope this helps!

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

You should seriously consider a new heating system. That's insane.

Easier said than done.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Easier said than done.

You rent and she owns. Completely different situation.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

You rent and she owns. Completely different situation.

It is. But my aunt owns in Swampscott and is in the same situation. Not everyone has the ability (means, structure, whatever) to switch.

[Louisville Slugger]

Originally Posted by Dm84

You rent and she owns. Completely different situation.

I am in a condo and had an almost $400 electric bill last winter. I thought about changing the heating system but decided I probably would not stay in my unit long enough to break even on the cost. A ductless mini split for three zones would have cost me $10,000. I haven't tried getting more quotes, but even if I could get it all done for $5,000 it would still take about 5 years to break even if I cut my total electric usage in half. Is that even realistic?

It's the rates that suck. If we were paying what the average person paid per kWH outside of MA it would be less. I read an article that Westborough is going to try and get a new provider for the town. This would mean lower rates for it's residents.

I've done a lot in my place though: sealing up all doors and windows, putting outlet covers on every outlet, only turning the heat up in rooms that I am in, turning off surge protectors that have a lot of devices connected to them when I am not using them, changed my supplier to Think Energy from National Grid, etc. I had Mass Save come out and all they could do was provide me with some LEDs. I'd say about 80% of my condo is LED now.

We'll see what happens in the next couple years.

[MMS02760]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

In the winter months our electric heat bill is about 400 a month. Crazy. We try to be minimal and keep the heat low but we still sometimes need to turn it on at night. We have a 19 month old...but even if we didn't I think I'd still want the heat on at night at times.

400/month for an electric bill that includes heat for the months of January and February isn't all that bad when compared to oil heat. I paid more for oil in those months the last two years given the high prices.

It would seem gas is by far the most cost effective method of heating homes in our area. It is also less influenced by sudden price spikes. It however is not even an option in the neighborhood where I live (neither are sewers).

[Louisville Slugger]

Some data from being in my condo for over two years.

Year 1: 11/14/13 - 04/14/14, 7,750 kWh, $1,355.21 (cost includes supply & delivery), averaged $271.04, annual average, $164.41.
Year 2: 11/14/14 - 04/16/15, 7,459 kWh, $1,477.25 (cost includes supply & delivery), averaged $295.45, annual average, $172.38.

Most of this cost is from heating, but remember it's everything: heating, cooking, electronics, water heater, lights, etc. I just have one bill, not two. Luckily my mortgage/condo fee isn't outrageous.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by Louisville Slugger

Some data from being in my condo for over two years.

Year 1: 11/14/13 - 04/14/14, 7,750 kWh, $1,355.21 (cost includes supply & delivery), averaged $271.04, annual average, $164.41.
Year 2: 11/14/14 - 04/16/15, 7,459 kWh, $1,477.25 (cost includes supply & delivery), averaged $295.45, annual average, $172.38.

Most of this cost is from heating, but remember it's everything: heating, cooking, electronics, water heater, lights, etc. I just have one bill, not two. Luckily my mortgage/condo fee isn't outrageous.

LOL that's awesome. I think your total utility bill is lower than my electric bill which is used only to run the lights and electronics in my house. I need to dig up my own data, now I'm curious.