The Cost of Keeping Warm

I live in a large, 2400 sq ft, house. I'd like a smaller house, but this was the balance I struck with my husband. So when it comes to those cold winter days, that Michigan has so many, we use a lot of natural gas to heat our house.

I have always kept my house cool. I do not like warm houses in general, and I have been too cheap, errr frugal, to heat it above 68 max! My rule of thumb is the house is too warm if you do not have to wear a sweater/sweatshirt inside during the winter months. But, last year and this year I have made a conscious choice to reduce my thermostat setting to an even lower temperature. FM is oh so agreeable, since I seem to be saving us more and more money.

Last year I kept the house at 66 in the day and 63 at night. I had a few comments regarding the coolness of my house from friends and family, and my poor father always wore a thick sweatshirt over his two other layers when he visited. But, those of us living in the house rarely seemed uncomfortably cold.

So this year I have cranked the thermostat down to 65 or 64 during the day, and 62 at night. I have had a few times when I am sitting at the computer or otherwise not being active during the day and I will feel cold. And I mean bone chilled cold. So, I get up, put on a hat (yes, hat indoors) and do something active. Unfortunately there is ALWAYS cleaning to be done in my house. I quickly warm up.

I have never been cold during the night, and have contemplated turning the temp. down even more. But, Gherky's room is always at least 5 degrees cooler than any room in the house. We pile on the blankets, comforters and quilts. She sleeps in footed sleeper PJs. But she is an active 5 year old and tosses a lot in her sleep, so the covers are usually lost by midnight. And then she wakes up cold, and ends up in our bed to warm up. So I am not sure about cooler nights.

But, the good news: I just opened up my heating bill and found out that keeping our house just one to two degrees cooler has saved us about .057 MCF a day this past November, which, btw, has been much cooler this year than last year. (No idea what the MCF measurement is, but it equates to almost $.60 a day and just shy of $20 month. I'll take that! I can buy a new sweater soon. he he)

Still, our poor heating bill was $100. Ouch!