On Fri, 4 Jul 2008 22:42:48 -0400, "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 - 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.

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.

JonquilJan

Learn something new every day
As long as you are learning, you are living
When you stop learning, you start dying


I hate to say it, but it might be time to consider a move to a house
that is more efficient. Sometimes there is only so much you can do.
If you have decreased mobility, can't deal with wood or coal, and have
essentially cordoned off the second floor, sounds like you might be a
prime candidate for such an extreme measure, and possibly even a move
south. I've been reading a bunch of stuff recently about solar
fluctuations, and I anticipate this winter to be *at least* as cold as
the last one.

In a Vermont forum, I mentioned early this year that there would be a
possibility of a lot of people trying to move south come November, due
to increased heating costs. I can vouch that north Alabama is a lot
warmer than northern New York state, has lower taxes, and has some
great people, like Gary.

Another option that you might consider if you are in a college area,
is to take on a boarder for the winter months, with the understanding
that they get the upstairs, and the rent is the cost of heating the
house.

If I was living back north, and had to stay in a house like that, and
had seriously limited resources, I would seriously consider building a
room within a room, where I would spend most of my time while at home.
A few rolls of insulation, some studs, some sheetrock and/or plastic,
and an electric heater and light and tv, comfy chair and bed. Let the
rest of the house drop into the 40s, scoot to the kitchen to cook, but
otherwise live in the heated small space. It would be cabin fever
time, but at least it would be survivable.