Lots of Questions on Heating! :) I use Fuel #2

Leo

If your system is forced hot air as it sounds by your description of vents, MAKE SURE you have a clean filter. Then if the system was sized properly make sure the vents are open and not closed or blocked by anything. The system if designed right is balanced and closing vents throws it off. If your estimated cost for oil will be $1200 that isn't that bad at today's prices. If the system is old ie over 20 years a new one should save you money. Making the house tight is a given on energy savings. You need to establish a relationship with a reputable service company so you can get the system serviced and tuned up. This can be your oil company if full service or a heating company.

Hope this helps,
Leo

Me_15

Lots of Questions (using Fuel #2)

OK, So this is my first home I have ever owned and I feel as tho something really isnt right about my heating. First I will tell you I put 180 Gallons of fuel in on 10/9/06, which made my tank have 240 Gallons in it. Today 12/6/06 I checked it and I am down to 80 Gallons.. So I went through 160 Gallons .. First question, is that alot of fuel to go through in 2 months? I am nervous about this becaue I live in MN and it hasnt even been that cold. We will get so much colder up here in the next few months.
Next is about my insulation and stuff... I feel as tho my house is not insulated correctly.. It seems really drafty and well I have one wall in my kitchen where I have cuboards on and when i took my oil out the other day it was actually cold, not freezing but a lot colder than I would think it should be. Who would I contact to have my house checked out on the insulation stuff. Oh and to go along with the draftiness, I have put plastic on just about every window in my house.. there are 2 in one room that I dont use that is not done, but the door is closed and the vent is closed.
And another... I have one room in my upstairs that doesnt seem to have heat in it. I can see 2 vents, but they look like return vents? It doesnt seem like any heat comes out of them at all... Do you know how I can tell?
And lastly... Do you think all my issuse could be because the furnance is old.. I dont know how old it is but the house itself was accquired by the previous owners in 1945...
Please if anyone has any help they can give me I would greatly appreciate it. I have tried to get Energy Assistance through the local Community Action Program but i do not qualify for it. I also asked them about weatherization cuz they have a program for that, but they said that since I didnt qualify for the assistance, i dont qualify for the weatherization.... I am really stuck in a rut here and dont know what to do. I cant afford to spend $400 every 2 months on heat for 6 months out of the year...

Thanks,
ME

GW

secondly

you need someone other than a heating guy to look at the house. You could have a well insulated house, but still have lots of infiltration; one of the industry's biggest misconceptions. Call an inulator and see if they can recommend someone who has a blower door to check how bad the infiltration is. Sorry, no complaining about energy costs! we all are paying the same price.



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