How much do you spend to heat S&B over the winter. Update

Dec. 2013, $78.35
Jan. 2014, $118.15
Feb 2014, $114.10
March 2014, $97.39
April 2014, $61.89
Actual costs natural gas Xcel energy.
1800 SF 1 1/2 story poorly insulated 80 year old house with full basement.
Thermostat set at 50 degrees, that is as low as it goes. North Central MN
This is about 30% higher than previous years. it rarely exceded $70.00 in previous years.

If it really costs $300.00 a month to heat empty with no one going in and out letting cold air in imagine what it would cost to keep 2 old folks warm if they ever had to spend the winter there.

My question comes into play that we're thinking about a place that has a full basement. In this part of the country if you shut off the heat you run the risk of the basement heaving, or worst yet, buckling inwards. Leaving the heat on low will help keep the frost away.

Was wondering what the general cost to heat a place was. It sounds like this place was left at 50 degrees (owners statement) and ran $300/month for heating 1,700 square feet in an area that can reach -20 to -40f for a week at a time.

Sounds pretty high to me, thus my question for comparison. I also understand insulation and amount of windows vs walls. Just trying to get a general idea here.

We just switched to a hybrid heating system, so won't know till we get our bills for this winter. I plan on setting the temp at 45° for the winter.

I can't answer your question because we shut ours down. Not knowing your experience, if you are in an area that freezes and you do heat it be sure to have the water main off in case the heat goes off. When you turn the water on in the spring pay attention for broken pipes.


My neighbor asked me if my pipes were always broke in the spring when I got home. She was shutting the heat off and the well but not blowing the pipes out. She did it 2 years and had a plumber come in and repair the copper pipes each time. I thought why didn't the plumber tell her the first time? Maybe because he's a plumber who fixes pipes!!!!!

Before my daughter moved back home, I spent zero as I would drain and blowout the lines then put rv antifreeze into the drains. Unless you have fine plastered walls instead of drywall, I see no good reason to waste energy or pay for heating.