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During this cold weather in Rapid City area, do most people heat with natural gas? I am assuming that a 2000 or so sq ft home will make your winter utility bill very expensive. My average heating bill in North Florida is about $90.00 per month. Have not used a heater this year so far. Temp is 81 today, but Sunday, we have a cold front coming through. High temp will only be 60 degrees. My wife and I still plan on retiring to Rapid City area. Anyone think we have lost our minds?
Well, I don't think you've lost your minds. I actually like Florida and we have relatives there. I actually have somewhat of an interest of moving there, but then I look at the cost of living, the crime rates, the traffic, the high population, the hurricanes, etc. and this old, cold South Dakota looks pretty good.
I probably shouldn't comment since I live East River, but over here we mainly have natural gas for heating. Some areas you just get one bill a month~electricity and natural gas together. In other areas, the bills may still be separate. You may have two or three months a year with a high bill, but you'll make that back during the summer months. You won't use the AC often in the Hills area.
My folks had a house in town and the had Natural Gas. But then they bought a place out west of town, by Johnson Siding and up there, they used propane. NG wasn't available. Plus, they had a different provider. Can't remember thier name, but it was a Co-op. Was a decent price. Not outragious.
not all ''towns'' have the luxury of natural gas..............we heat with propane firnace, and propane wall/space heater in basement for back-up/power outtages.
currently, '''rumor'' has it, that electric is the cheapest, but i wouldn't bet it will stay that way.
alot of people have gone to corn burners, or wood burners........I go out and help several neighbors, when they cut wood, cuz when it gets really cold(like -30 degree's) i wanna walk in and say...THROW ANOTHER LOG ON THE FIRE!
You have that much corn in South Dakota? Do you burn husks and all.
Yes, even though Neb. is known as the "corn" state, there is a lot of corn in So. Dak. and Iowa, also.
Debey's right~there have been a lot of people who have started using corn burners. In fact, our local school district even installed one at one of their elementary schools. Everything was going well because people were beginning to save enough in fuel costs to pay for their burner. But now the cost of corn has increased so much that many are going back to their original way of heating. And yes, I heard that, too that you could heat cheaper with electricity. Not sure about if you would burn the husks or not. I've never stoked one.
a CORN BURNER burns the kernels. the corn must be under 15% moisture content. there are different types and brands,of stoves/burners.... some will burn with a little ''chaff''(cob dust) some won't. you use only the kernels, not the cobs, or husks..........you can burn cobs in a woodburner, too, if they're dry enough.
Luckily for you Rapid City has the lowest utility rates in the United States. My home is 100% electric and about 2500 sq ft. In the summer my bill is about $75 in the winter $95. I think it is because we are so close to mineral-rich Wyoming. Most people use natural gas out here too. I hear that East River South Dakota pays some of the highest utilities in the US.
Yes, eastern So. Dak has a very high rate. The national average is figured at 100% and we pay 135%. Some areas have NSP and we have NWPS. You guys are lucky to have Black Hills Power out there.
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