In article ,
JonquilJan wrote:
wondering about heating this next winter. right now, I have forced air with
a propane furnace. Furnace new this past season. Very old house (pre 1850)
which has been insulated as much as possible (vertical very thick plank
walls - would have to build stud wall on the inside to put in more
insulation )

thinking of closing off more than I have already (2nd floor entirely closed
off) and using heavy drapes/curtain/blankets to enclose the living room and
adjacent bedroom

I suppose you could carpet the walls; a layer of Tyvek HomeWrap under it would
cut down on air infiltration and not cause moisture buildup.

- which would be the only rooms with open registers - other
than the bathroom - and supplementing with a kerosene heater (which I have
had for 25 years). But considering that the rooms would be closed/curtained
off - with reduced air flow - thinking also one of the oil filled electric
heater might be safer. If power goes (which it can) would open the curtains
and use the kero heater. Last winter I had the thermostat at 64. I am
disabled - 69 - and having increasing problems with mobility and keeping
warm.

Have you considered radiant floor heat, something like these:

http://www.suntouch.com/underfloor/

http://www.heatizon.com/products/rad...ating/retrofit

http://www.warmzone.com/retrofit-radiant-heat.asp

These are a few results from searching for "radiant floor heat retrofit
electric"; there are many more options.

Radiant floor heating keeps your feet warm, a major comfort factor in
cold weather.

Pay about $4000 a year for propane - heat and cooking only. Hot water
heater is electric - new at the same time as the furnace - and has only
raised my electric bill about $10 a month - so far. I expect propane will
be much, much more costly this next heating season.

Suggestions - ideas. I live in northern New York state.

Cover your windows with clear shrink film; caulk around door and window
frames (if you're not already doing so).


Gary

--
Gary Heston http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/
"a member or members of Osama bin Ladens' Al Qaeda network, posing as
computer programmers, were able to gain employment at Microsoft..."
claim made by Mohammed Afroze Abdul Razzak to police in India, 12/01.