I know friends of ours are planning on putting in a roof mounted windmill for this reason. In addition to propane they went through something like 8 cords of wood last winter. I don’t know if it’s because it’s a local company or because it’s the best one but the are looking at one made by Cascade engineering. All I really know about that system is that the windmill looks to be about the size of a direct tv sattilite dish.

Since my question I have been researching. Talking to peope in the area and online.

Christina, that was a great idea..I will call the utilities and see what kind of off peak plans are available.

My propane hot water heater is wrapped….I have caulked and ealed the windows..I have put heavy insulated drapes on all of the windows..asided from using plastic wrap on the entire house, I think I’ve done it all. We now keep the thermostat at 58. My propane tank was filled again..six weeks after the last fill and the bill wwas over $600.00…Outrageous. My home is only 2000 square feet..Two story…So the cost of propane varies from company to company. If like we do, you rent the tank, then you have to stay with the company you rent from. At this time we are paying $2.09 a gallon. Other companies in the area are charging $1.79 a gallon…hmm….Well I guess they get to charge whatever they want to.
According to people who live in this area I should purchase an electric toaster oven. Cooking with propane is expensive. I believe it since my thermostat is set very low and I cook each day. We are a family of two plus a medium size dog.

By the way, Tom Brokaw was on CNN yesterday, complaining about the cost of propane on his ranch. He has converted to solar panels..
I am checking out windmills that can be placed on the roof, and generate a considerable amount of electricity. If we stay here 5 years all of the conversion will have paid for itself, and I understand that some people get paid from the electric company if they are generating more electricity that they need.

I will keep you psted on my prgress, and thanks for the help.

I love the new slogan I’ve been hearing…Enough, Sweaters are not the answer to heating our homes.

Lynnea

This move has saved us $250 a month on our heating bill… and with the cost of heating oil, the new boiler paid for iteself in two years.

We also have an off-peak electric hot water heater that costs us about $12 a month to run`- vs. the $40 it cost us to run a regular hot water heater.

Check with your local utility company to see what off-peak options are available.