Propane heat killing us $$$ Help! (Yucca Valley, Lucerne: renting, new home, heat pump)

[jennr8er]

We moved to Yucca Valley just over a year ago and have been not-so-kindly introduced to the world of propane heating and cooking. The first winter out here we were filling our 200lb propane tank once a month at a cool $400 a pop. At the time our son was less than a year old so keeping the house at about 68 to 70 was pretty necessary. This year we've invested in a couple of space heaters in the main living areas and have turned down the thermostat to 66. Unfortunately, propane has gone up almost 0.75 a gallon and half a tank now costs about...... $400!!! We are out of our wits, AND MONEY, and need some suggestions about how to battle this horrible enemy called propane. We don't have the option of natural gas in our neighborhood and I'm thinking the cost of switching to an electric furnace may be too much?? Our home is 2500 square feet and the rooms that aren't used too often I've closed the vents and the doors. Any other suggestions? We're going to get some firewood for the fireplace but I'm wondering if that's going to make a dent in light of the size of the house and the cost of firewood? Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Fontucky]

My people in Lucerne Valley just put in a free-standing wood stove because of the cost of propane. Much more efficient than a fireplace.

[ferretkona]

When I lived in Yosemite my propane use was way less than that. They only came every other month to top off the tank. I suspect you have a leak.

[jennr8er]

That was going to be my next question. We are using more than 1% per day. Is that normal for a 2500 square foot house set at 66-68 degrees daytime and 62 from 10pm to 6am? The only other thing that uses propane is the dryer and the cooktop. I am watching it like a hawk and it just doesn't seem to be getting better!

[LQQKOUT]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

My people in Lucerne Valley just put in a free-standing wood stove because of the cost of propane. Much more efficient than a fireplace.

[Twinkle Toes]

But Hank Hill constantly expounds on the virtues of propane!

[ferretkona]

A friend went 100% electric on her house. Ended up with $500 bill a month.

[Twinkle Toes]

I've always heard/been told that you never want to buy a home with either propane OR electric. Every home I've ever purchased has been with natural gas. Same with my parents, with the exception of renting a home with electric after selling their home and waiting to move into their next new home. I remember, as a child, being freaked out by the electric stove - how the coils would turn a bright red color. It scared me to get close to it because I thought I would burn myself. But seeing fire never scared me - go figure. LOL

[jinj]

Install a heat pump to your home, saves a lot of money.

Switching to natural gas will save you 50%. It might end up being free to switch, getting enough rebates to pay for all the appliance conversions, speak to your local utility.

[Fontucky]

That would be a great idea, but many of these high desert areas aren't piped for the stuff.