NEPA-Turning on the heat (Plum: bill, propane, dryer)

[quiet life]

I was wondering when most folks turn on their heat. I turned mine on briefly when we had cold snaps a couple weeks ago. For the most part, I am comfortable. Hoping to hold off until Nov. 1 if possible. Any thoughts?

[Mr Yuk]

Haven't turned it on yet. Usually by late October I'll turn it on, hopefully can hold out until November. When we had that cold spell, my Edenpure heater was enough to take the chill out of the air in the morning.

[theatergypsy]

I hold off as long as possible. The little Cool spell we had I just dug out a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of sweat pants. Put on socks and toughed it out. Also, you could make a pot of soup, bake a cake, have a cup of coffee. The warmth of the stove and the oven, the activity, added to the warm clothes and you'd be surprised how cozy you can be.
Of course, if you have an infant or a sick person, you may want to bump up the thermostat.

[Magritte25]

I've turned on my heat a few times since the beginning of October.

[PeeAye Native]

There's something to be said for turning in on early to make sure everything is working right/flush the radiators/clean the dust from the ducts/make sure you have enough coal in the bin/the stoker is working right/etc., etc., etc. Or even to remind you to do the yearly service, if any.

Do you want to run the risk of being the 100th person on the list when the cold weather really sets in, or do you want to be next on the list for Joe the Plumber when the weather is still nice?

[SPECFRCE]

Please put in prospective how harsh the winters can be in NEPA.

[frank754]

We are in W-B city and use natural gas. I turned the pilot light off and shut it down last spring. Still haven't turned it on, but have used electric space heaters in a few rooms for a couple hours at a time, also wear a sweatsuit. Our gas bill for hot water, stove, dryer has only been about $25 a month all summer. In the winter, even keeping the place fairly cool, it can jump up to $300 on the coldest months. We have a cement block chimney, but I don't think gas contributes to the creosote. Anyway, I'll still open the cleanout and look up it with a mirror to be sure. I've found a few space heaters in the couple rooms I spend the most time is cheaper than heating the entire house.

[Chefkey]

I try to make it until November as well. I use space heaters a little to help make it there but only in isolated rooms such as when sleeping with the door closed. In fact, I try to do this all year to save. Keep the regular heat at 64 and space heat the bedroom to sleep.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by frank754

We have a cement block chimney, but I don't think gas contributes to the creosote.

Creosote is from burning wood and is potentially flammable hence the reason people that use wood could have chimney fires and they need to have them frequently cleaned. Fuels like oil, NG and coal do not produce creosote and do not require the chimney to be cleaned* however it should be inspected especially if it hasn't been used all summer to make sure there is nothing blocking it like an animal...

Note that with coal you do have to clean the flue pipe and clean out because of fly ash build up...

[quiet life]

A little nippy tonight but not cold. Might throw on extra comforter and wear sweatpants to make it through the weekend. Think it might get a little chillier in the coming week. Holding on until Nov. if possible. We have propane for heat, oven, and dryer. Hoping to make it through to the new year without filling up.