A Long, Cold Winter

[learnteach]

If I'd known that the winter was going to last this long and be this bad (we broke records here in the Pacific NW), I would have tried to get more heating oil delivered. When I rely on electric space heaters, my electric bill ends up double or more. Heating oil is cheaper, but since you have to order at least 100 gallons to get a good price (and at least 50 to get a delivery) you have to have a bundle of cash.  Last year I did get 2 deliveries of heating oil in Sept and Dec (100 gals usually lasts 3 months more or less depending on the temperatures). In Texas we used natural gas which is even cheaper, but here you have to worry about earthquakes and volcanos erupting so it is not a good alternative for everyone. This winter we had the oil delivered in November. It was cheaper than it had been in the last 4 years, only $400!!  If it had lasted 3 months, that would have been about $133 a month. Since it ran out, my electric bill has gone up by over $140 each month. If the landlord would replace these old single pane windows, that would be the biggest help here.  They have tons of condensation everyday, and WA being the land of moss, mold and mildew, our windows are growing nice colonies of mold and/or mildew. Sure it comes off, after scrubbing a long time with lots of bleach and a little water. Did I mention that I have a bad shoulder from my Army days? Arrrgh!!

By the way, did you know that baking a meatloaf is a great way to heat up your kitchen and livingroom? My family refuses to eat it for breakfast, so I have to wait until the house is warmer in the evening to bake it. Maybe some bread or rice pudding for breakfast? 

[babymomma0306]

Mar. 11, 2009 at 5:36 PM

I have the opposite problem. It was 93 degrees here today. Wanna trade homes *LOL*?

[MythicMMM]

Mar. 12, 2009 at 9:58 AM

oddly enough I use to heat exclusively with wood when I lived in New England. about 5 cords a winter would be around 500-700 for the whole heating year.

let me tell you though, I am SOOOOooo happy I no longer have to spilt, stack, carry, or start a fire now that I live in "civilization" and can just turn the dial.

P.S I bake Pies, cakes and other desserts in the morning to warm the house up a smidge more =)

[learnteach]

May. 5, 2009 at 11:30 AM

Dear MythicMMM, Growing up (until I was 14), my Grandparents in Mason relied on wood to heat and cook. We had to chop wood for the fireplace, then chop some smaller to fit in the wood stove. When I was real little, I would stay in bed till Granny got up and got the fire going in the fireplace. We would pull our clothes under the covers to warm them up, then get dressed under the covers, then run for the fireplace. They had 300 Acres and we mostly used Mesquite wood. My neighbor here in WA also heats her home with wood only. The smoke collects under these thick trees and I have coughing fits in my front yard when I go outside.

(Original Poster)