"Tom B." wrote in message
om...
I go to Florida in the winter. My house in Minnesota has hot water
heat (natural gas) and a "boiler" with 3 zone valves that are less
than 10 years old heating 2400 sq. ft. It has mercury thermostats
that are also just a few years old. Last winter our gas bills were as
high as $200 a month even though the thermostats are all the way down
(55 degrees). This year they will be higher. I've read threads about
antifreeze in the hot water heating system (sounds like
there can be problems) and I realize I could close the house (drain
plumbing and hot water system) but I've heard horror stories about
walls cracking, etc. (it can get down to -40 here!). Someone told me
to tilt the thermostats to get below 55 but this seems difficult to
control.

Any ideas on how I could save some money this winter? I'm certainly
willing to spend some money to save some.

Thanks in advance.

Be careful who does the job for you. Friend in Maine had the same thing
done only it wasn't done properly. Got a call to come back from Florida in
the middle of the winter. Water everywhere, basically the whole inside of
the house (two floors) was gone--walls, furniture appliances, everything.
Result was that the whole inside was gutted and had to be reconstructed--at
least a 6 month job. Furniture replacement was so extensive that they
actually went to N.C. and purchased a whole houseload of stuff from one of
the furniture factories. The furniture company used their own trucks to
ship and had their own people along to set it all up.
Horror story but sh*t happens.
MLD