[AmILost]

Originally Posted by FLGirl66

Can you educate me on heating? I've seen places advertised with fuel oil, propane or pellet stove. What are the advantages and estimated cost of each?

I appreciate any input.

All other things equal, pellet stoves are cheapest, then propane, then fuel oil. Your results may vary based on on condition/age of the heat source, the quality of insulation in your home, or fluctuations in market prices.

If the home isn't well insulated, you'll be hit with a big heating bill regardless of what your source of heat is. Heating bills of $500/month during the cold months aren't uncommon around here.

[AmILost]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Can you really only get your place warmed up to 65 degrees in the winter?

My brother keeps his house at 55. It is all in what you get used to. If you have hypothroidism, get it taken care of first.
Lower temps means slightly higher humidity. Coming from Florida, you'll have chapped lips and everything else in winter. If you keep your place at 75, my bet is you'll have more colds.

This is actually a pretty important point. You NEED a humidifier if you are coming from Florida. Maybe a couple. In the winter, the cold air doesn't hold much moisture. When you heat the air up from 0 degrees to 60, it expands considerably, and now contains less moisture per cubic unit than it did at 0 degrees. This REALLY dries out your skin, lips, and most importantly nose. When your nose dries out, you'll have a hard time fighting infection (mucous traps germs) and you will get sick. A lot. I learned the hard way.

[FLGirl66]

Thanks Harry for the input. I really appreciate it!

AmIlost, $500/month for heat? How do people stay warm up there? No way I can afford $500/month for heat. I have read some of your other comments and topics. You and your family were unhappy in Vermont when you first moved there. How are you feeling about it now?
Is a pellet stove portable? Or is it installed? I will definitely be a renter for at least the first year.
Thanks for emphasizing the need for a humidifier. Any thoughts about cell phone service, internet?

[FrugalYankee]

Hey, we save a lot on air conditioning. Most homes don't even have a/c.

[FLGirl66]

LOL FrugalYankee - quite right! But my total electric for 12 months is $1500.00. That includes all kitchen appliances, washer & dryer, water heater, air conditioning and everything else in a household. So blowing a years budget on three months of heating alone does give me cause to pause. By the way, I like your tag - Redneck in Training.

[AmILost]

Originally Posted by FLGirl66

Thanks Harry for the input. I really appreciate it!

AmIlost, $500/month for heat? How do people stay warm up there? No way I can afford $500/month for heat. I have read some of your other comments and topics. You and your family were unhappy in Vermont when you first moved there. How are you feeling about it now?
Is a pellet stove portable? Or is it installed? I will definitely be a renter for at least the first year.
Thanks for emphasizing the need for a humidifier. Any thoughts about cell phone service, internet?

Yeah, $500/month for heat, sometimes more. I'd expect you'd be paying less if you're renting an apartment. Depends on how old the apartment is though. We rented an apartment when we first got here and it was horribly insulated and we were at about $400/month. We were probably keeping it at about 65-68 degrees. This is why a lot of people keep their thermostat at 55 degrees and wear layers inside. Winter is rough here.

A pellet stove isn't portable - it needs to be installed, unless you are very handy, by a professional. We cut our heat bill from $500/month to about $300/month by buying a pellet stove. It cost about $1700 for the purchase and installation (we bought a cheap one but it has worked great). It'll have paid for itself by the end of this winter. They do require electricity in addition to pellets though. So if the power goes out, you need a backup source.

Frankly, we don't fit in here and I am looking for a job somewhere with a lower cost of living and a warmer climate.

Can't give you any advice on cell or internet in the Rutland area... sorry!

[FLGirl66]

Thanks for the info you've been able to share AmILost. I wish you and your family success in relocating.

[Soup Nazi]

$500 a month for heat is more than excessive. Look for an apartment where heat is paid, very easy to find in Rutland for less than $800 a month for a one bedroom. Need more, pay more. I own a single-family rental home in Windsor that never uses more than 300 gallons of oil a year to heat. Granted it is small, but very well-insulated with updated systems. Internet and cell phone service vary; you can call providers in Rutland for pricing. Many landlords accept pets on a case-by-case basis (I do) and you have a better chance in Rutland than anywhere else. Good luck with your move!

[Soup Nazi]

Oh and I might add that using an Internet forum is probably not the most reliable way of garnering information on a locale. You will see the same people posting/responding here (many of whom have only visited Vermont) and that is far less than .01% of the total population of the state. That is just a handful of people. Take what people post with a grain of salt. The only way to really find out is to move here. Links to additional information are helpful, but opinions are subjective and relative to each person's individual experience. I wish you the best in your search!

[momnh]

We have natural gas heat for a 2300sf house in Chittenden County and our highest month is $250. We only see that in Jan/Feb. That includes gas for the water heater too. The house is 13 years old but doesn't have as good insulation as it should for the age, though is not as bad as a 100yr old farm house.