heating question

[Fair Light]

I am using propane heat this year for the first time....I am on a limited income and I am concerned about running low and not being able to afford to refill my 500 gallon tank...Would it be better to:

A) keep the house at a constant temperataure all the time, (where it would "kick on" for short periods of time more frequently) OR
B) Turn it down really low (especially when I am gone for the day or at night)
then run it to bring it back up to temp.

I like it rather cool in here.. no higher than 68. I have been taking it down to 50 when I am gone or at night....With electric or natural gas heat I would just use it then pay the bill each month....but with the big cost of a tank refill all at once, it am getting a little paranoid....my house is pretty well insulated and does hold heat pretty well....but every time this kicks on I get paranoid about being wasteful..I believe in wearing sweaters and socks in winter instead of summer clothes in a hot house...sorry if this has already been asked in the past.

[SolarGary]

Hi,
The cooler you can set the thermostat the better. There is a saving for every degree you turn it down.

If you can do a setback for night time or the times you are away, that will also help. Even thought the furnace has to say on a little long when you get back home and turn the thermostat up, you will always gain from a thermostat setback.

There are lots of simple ways to cut back on heating -- big list on my site here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...nservation.htm

Some of these are practically free (eg bubble wrap on windows) and save a lot of energy.



Gary

[Our Little Farm]

We keep the heat constant. As you dress warm, you could easily split the difference and turn the setting down. It will save you money.

Check what you are using each week, then put that amount of money aside, as if you were paying an electric bill.

[Our Little Farm]

I agree with the bubble wrap on windows. It saves a lot! Also heavy curtains in front of exterior doors help keep you warm.

[TnAndy]

I believe you are better off to turn it down at night/when gone. You can probably also get on a budget or pre-pay plan with your propane dealer....call them.

[amwitched]

Propane sucks!!!!!!!!!! We used to have natural gas and didn't have to worry about when to call for a refill. When we moved to the boonies and had to switch to propane, it was a big adjustment. We keep the thermostat set to 68 degrees while we are home. I turn it down at night (55-60 degrees) and if the temperatures are warm enough during the daytime hours, I will shut the furnace down completely. The pilot light will suck the propane out of your tank, too.

[Windy in Kansas]

Newer furnaces do not have standing pilot lights and instead use electronic ignition for combustion.

Given a preference I'd actually prefer the standing pilot as they are simpler and give far fewer problems.

Some believe that a pilot should be left burning over the summer as it keeps moisture dried out of the combustion area.

[arabian knight]

The pilot light???
OOh my goodness that takes so little to keep that tiny tiny little bugger going it sure don't "suck" the propane out. I used to put out the pilot in the summer, but never have now for the last 12 years, and sure did not notice any difference. And IMO I think the closer you are to keeping the house a constant temperature whatever that is sure the cooler the better, is better then turning it way down at night and then back up in the day time, it "works" the furnace more and sure will use more propane to get the temp back up.
I now am going on 15 years with propane, and getting a prepay plan is way better if offered, as you know where you stand throughout the winter months. And many newer models now have "pilotless ignitions" anyways.

[SolarGary]

Originally Posted by arabian knight

The pilot light???
OOh my goodness that takes so little to keep that tiny tiny little bugger going it sure don't "suck" the propane out. I used to put out the pilot in the summer, but never have now for the last 12 years, and sure did not notice any difference. And IMO I think the closer you are to keeping the house a constant temperature whatever that is sure the cooler the better, is better then turning it way down at night and then back up in the day time, it "works" the furnace more and sure will use more propane to get the temp back up.
I now am going on 15 years with propane, and getting a prepay plan is way better if offered, as you know where you stand throughout the winter months. And many newer models now have "pilotless ignitions" anyways.

Hi,
Pilot lights actually use a surprising amount of gas.
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...ilotLights.htm

5 to 12 therms a month.

As the link says, 12VoltMan (a regular here in the Alternate Energy group) heats all of his hot water with just a pilot light -- that is, he has his gas water heater set up to never turn the main burner on at all, and just the heat from the pilot provides hot water for two people -- pretty neat!

There is study after study that shows that setting back the thermostat at night or when you are away saves fuel. If it saves fuel it seems like it must also be running the furnace less?

Gary

[rambler]

Setting the thermostat down 5 degrees or more for a period of time saves you lp over time. Study after study shows that. Turn it down when you are gone or overnite, and will help. Yes the furnace runs more to heat hings up; but you save more while it is cooler.

Some suppliers have an averaging plan, where you are billed the same every month and they keep the lp tank full for you over time. You might wish to check with your supplier, if you are more comfortable with a monthly payment?

You could just set money aside each week yourself, so it is smaller bits to set aside, put into a 'fuel for heat' stocking so you have what you need when the tank goes down. That's hard for some people, but can work nice.

--->Paul

[Horseyrider]

We used to turn it down at night but after about ten or fifteen years of that I just got completely sick and tired of being cold. So we insulated the house, changed some of the worst windows, and got a 97% efficiency furnace. The chimney is now a PVC pipe that's job is to get rid of condensation.

We also dress heavily, and most of the time the downstairs is about 65-67 degrees. But the upstairs in the winter can get in the low fifties on a howling windy below zero night. We're out on the prairie, and there's nothing to stop the wind for miles. The upstairs is the furthest from the heat plant. The house is old enough that heat, electricity, and plumbing were added long after it was built.

Our fuel company is part of a farmer's co-op, so the prices are much better. We have a payment plan where we contract during the summer and get our first fill at that summer rate; and we commit for a certain number of gallons a year based on our previous usage. If there's any overage they cut me a check in the spring. And they pay dividends on stock that comes with it. They furnish a 1000 gallon tank too, for a small annual rental fee that they never charge.

Our furnace is the only thing that runs on propane. Water heater, stove, and clothes dryer are electric. In the summer there's no use whatsoever; there's no pilot light on the furnace.

We did add a generator and a hookup for power outages. They're usually a few hours at a time at the most; but we've had a couple that have lasted for days. It made all the difference between inconvenience and disaster.

[littlebitfarm]

Household of one here. 5 days a week the temperature is set at 60º. When I finish chores and am in for the night, I turn it up to about 68º or 70º. Makes it nice and toasty for a shower and hanging out with wet hair. After the shower I turn it back down to 60º. Most of the time the furnace doesn't turn back on until shortly before I get up. Only up and about in the house for about 30 minutes in the morning, not worth turning it back up.

On weekends, if I am going to be coming and going, it is probably set about 65º. If I'm going to be home, it is closer to 70º.

I have an oversized propane tank and fill it once in the summer. Have never spent more than $600 for heat, cooking, and hot water. $50 a month is pretty cheap for the comfort.

[Fair Light]

Thanks to all of you.....I appreciate all the input...I have wide blinds... I will add the bubble wrap to the windows...good idea...I try not to use much heat in mornings as I use a small electric heater to just heat up the bathroom...while getting dressed....I think I will continue with turning it way down while I am gone and over night....I also have an electric blanket...Also, I don't have "ANY" insulation under the floor...I have a nice crawl space with vents that I sealed with bubble wrap for the winter...the hardwood and the ceramic tile is pretty cold....the carpet areas are not too bad...I keep socks and house shoes on mostly...thanks again guys...

[Alice In TX/MO]

The vents are to keep moisture from building up under your house. Moisture under your house causes mold and promotes rot.

Open those vents again. Put rugs on the floor.

[City Bound]

Bubble wrap is a great idea, I have never heard of it before.

For me draps on the windows and an old comforter draped over the front door work well.

I have natural gas and I keep the thermo at 65 that way I can lower or higher the temp without too much work from the furnace. I never set it higher then 75, and I only go that high when my girlfriend comes over and complains about the cold.

Socks, sweaters, sometimes even hats help keep the chill off. Sock are the best. Throws on the couch for some relief if needed.

[arabian knight]

What I have done over the past 14 years is put up Styrofoam sheets the 2 inch thick ones have 2 layers of those and about 3 inches into the ground, and then when the snow comes blow as much snow as I can up against those sheets. These are full 4 x 8 sheets laid sideways, all the way around and this Old Mobile home. And it is warm enough on the floor i can most of the time unless it is 25 below, go around with just stockings on my feet.~! Neat.
I thought I had a picture loaded on Photobucket of the house all buried like a igloo but I guess I will have to scan in one again.

[krische1012]

Sounds like your house is very similar to mine! I keep my heat set in the low 50's. I spent WAY to much money last year heating the house and I refuse to do it again. I have an electric blanket on my bed and the couch. I cuddle with my dogs on the couch to be warmer. We are also having some one come out to do an energy audit on our house to identify how to improve our efficiency.

The low 50's sounds cold but you do get used to it

[Pouncer]

You can also move heat around the house by using small personal fans. Put them on the floor and point out of the room or hallway towards the largest living space. Makes easily a four degree difference, especially if you don't have ceiling fans to help get air moving.

Close off rooms you seldom or never use, if you have ducting, plug it for that room.

BTW, many furnaces can be used without firing it-that circulates what heat you have throughout the house.

[Pouncer]

PS. Very common in Alaska to cover the windows with plastic. Yes, wood bats screwed to the outside of the frame, with clear visqueen under it. There are also window films you can apply from inside-cut to fit and voila! Reduction in heat loss.

Glass is a huge heat loss. Cover what you can and don't be afraid to hang a spare blanket or sleeping bag over seldom used windows.

[How Do I]

Originally Posted by Pouncer

Close off rooms you seldom or never use, if you have ducting, plug it for that room.

We tried that one year and ended up with frozen pipes.