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High Gas Bills in winter?

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by broadlndsmom5014, Feb 9, 2009.

  1. broadlndsmom5014

    broadlndsmom5014 New Member

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    I live in the single family homes off Milford Drive in Southern Walk and was wondering what others in the area are paying for heating/gas in the winter.

    Our gas bills seem to be ridiculously high.. over $500 a month. Can anyone tell me whether this is average for our neighborhood?
     
  2. malmeda

    malmeda New Member

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    I used to live in a spruce mode on southern walk and my bill at one time was also as high as $500. IMO Van Metre did a lousy job in insulating these houses. I could literally feel the cold air seeping in from the walls and outlets

    I have moved to a larger house with a basement and my winter bill would only peak at $200. Try getting one of those programable thermostats and if you have a ceiling fan, leave those on so that there will be proper circulation of hot air.
     
  3. Brassy

    Brassy Hiyah

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    We're on a programmable as well as on the budget billing. We pay 202 a month... a few times we actually had a credit what with the warmer months this fall
     
  4. terelli

    terelli New Member

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    This might be a dumb question but.....
    Are you supposed to put your fans on reverse in order to get the hot air going down, instead of up?
     
  5. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    Ceiling fans should blow air up during the winter, and down during the summer. Either way circulates the air, but having the fan pull the air up keeps you from feeling a breeze when you are under it.
     
  6. beachgal

    beachgal New Member

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    I actually have used the baby safety plugs for the outlets to keep the air from coming in. I had a huge bill only once then I went on the budget program so there would be no surprises. I agree with malmeda that Van Metre did not do a great job with the insulation of those models (I live in a dogwood).
     
  7. Jess86

    Jess86 New Member

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    Im in a SFH (Courtyard collection) and the last bill we paid was $300 (haven't received a bill in Feb yet). We also own a SFH in Charles Town and ONCE that bill was $500.
     
  8. Jess86

    Jess86 New Member

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    I stand corrected, we just got the bill $278 for the bill due 2/26.
     
  9. mdcrim

    mdcrim Member

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    My gas bill actually went DOWN this winter. Been on budget pay at $120/ month and it just readjusted to $84/month for a small SFH in the Farm. Did get a new furnace last spring, maybe that helped.

    You can get insulation from Home Depot or Lowes for your outlets. They fit under the outlet covers. We have them on all the outlets on the outer walls of the house. I think they must help a little because when I installed them I could definitely feel cold air coming through.
     
  10. broadlndsmom5014

    broadlndsmom5014 New Member

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    All good info... thanks a bunch!
     
  11. Brassy

    Brassy Hiyah

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    Yep and if you live long enough in the house think about replacing the thin crappy windows, too!
     
  12. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    I agree - a lot of air escapes thru those thin windows....we've already replaced ours, BIG difference!! Sure wish builders used top notch windows to begin with - you pay enough for houses (at least back in 1998) as it is.....and then to have to replace the crappy windows...mucho $$$...but worth it.
     
  13. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    what is the general cost of an average window replacement? I am just starting to look into this and want to see if there is a general idea on cost expectations. I am also thinking of doing weatherstripping this spring too... on all the windows.
     
  14. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    I'll have to look back on our records when I get home. Ours were done quite a few years ago by Thompson Creek. It's probably a good time to get them done - I see a lot of flyers from both Thompson Creek and Anderson for some good deals.
     
  15. mdcrim

    mdcrim Member

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    Several homes in our neighborhood of various sizes got their windows replaced in the late fall. I think the range was $6500-$9500 per house, depending on the number and types of windows. I think the prices were for between 21 and 27 windows, if I remember correctly. They may have also gotten a "group discount" because there were 4-5 houses that participated (my estimate was $8500 with 2 casement windows, $7500 without-total of 23 windows).
     
  16. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    Kind of the subject - I have gotten so much conflicting advice on filters;

    "Don't use the XYZ brand HIPA filters - they block too much air!"
    "Don't use the ABC freeflow filters! The let too much dust thru & damage the furnace!"
    "The chepest filter you can get is just fine."

    And on & on. Anyone get a definitive answer to this topic? Or is this just another Martini argument?
     
  17. Nwfdrool

    Nwfdrool New Member

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    What do you keep your house temps at?

    Anyone install a tankless water heater? In general, how much would that cost to do?
     
  18. JLC

    JLC Member

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    We got an estimate for a tankless water heater. It was $6,000 for that or $1,440 to replace our old one. We didn't end up going with the tankless because the exhaust vent would be right at our deck & patio and we were concerned about the fumes and smell.
     
  19. Brassy

    Brassy Hiyah

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    Window replacement is definately an option if you are going to stay here. We keep our house at 67 in the winter (which is chili i admit i'd rather have it at 71) and 75 in the summer. I keep shade and shutters closed on really cool days. Why> in the summer when i think i'm going to let the sun shine in and open a shade on the top level, i put my hand between the shade and the window and cannot believe how hot it is in the gap. so it would figure that we get the same thing in the winter, which we do.
     
  20. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    We're not on the budget plan, do not conserve all that much gas heat, live in a SFH (7 people total) and our bill was $389. I may be selfish, but it's too damn cold for me even if I am bundled up. I'm tired of wearing parkas to bed. But that's just my own opinion.
     

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