It’s easy to enjoy our $10 to $20 electric bills (solar panels) but sometimes, those propane costs bite! We’re paying $2.20 for propane now. We never let our tanks run very low because when there’s a cold spell coming, lots of people call for propane and we never want to be worried about running out.
The greenhouse tank . . that’s our problem tank because (1) It’s a 250 gallon tank so we often have to fill it more than once during the winter and (2) The propane truck can’t get to it if the ground is wet.
It’s supposed to rain Friday and then Saturday night’s low is going to be 25° and the next 10 or 12 nights, our lows are going to be anywhere from just below freezing to in the low 20’s. That will be a lot of nights with the heat running in the greenhouse. I checked the propane tank out there yesterday and it was down to 30% so we called the local propane guy.
It was probably late February or early March when we had the tanks filled and they won’t fill them more than 75% at that time of year because of the summer heat and expansion but they fill them to 80% this time of year.
Right at 400 gallons of propane . . that would have bought a heck of a lot of yarn! But it’s nice to have hot water, a stove/oven, clothes dryer and heat.
Vince was talking to the propane guy and telling him it seems like we’ve used more propane this year than we normally do and he said on the winters when temps stay just above freezing but it’s damp, people seem to use way more propane than when it’s super cold and dry. I know we’ve used the heat way more this year but Vince is home and he’s always cold. It could be the meds he takes or, it could be that I’m sitting in my chair with a quilt over my legs, computer on my lap and knitting or in the kitchen with the stove going. Even on nights with the temps in the 20’s, I love sleeping with the heat off, windows open and tons of quilts on the bed.
After paying that propane bill, we probably will drop the thermostat a few degrees but overall, our propane bill probably averages out to $100 per month, with over half of that being for the greenhouse so I’m not complaining.
Joan in Alaska says
Ha! On my last propane fill, I paid $6.25 per gallon, also for a 250 gallon tank! Fortunately, I only use it for the stove, dryer, and fireplace, but many others heat here with propane. I’m thankful to hear with fuel oil, at a mere $2.97 per gallon. You can understand why my greenhouse is only used for storage this time of year. 🙁
Nelle Coursey says
It sure could be the medicine he is taking because Pat is always cold too! I think some of that medicine has blood thinners in it and that would make them cold. Pat is the same way. It can be comfortable downstairs and when you go upstairs it is like walking into a furnace!!
dezertsuz says
And if you average that with electricity that’s really low, you’re doing great! And the well water. No sewer fees. Could be a whole lot worse.
cassews says
Last I heard the Govenor declared Colorado in a propane emergency as its running low. We use natural gas for cooking, heating and hot water heater. But during the winter we usually have enough firewood stocked up for a nice and toasty cozy house from November thru March. We enjoy the warm heat from the Lopi wood stove.
Pat Anderson says
Definitely meds…my husband takes heart medications and he freezes…his hands are usually blocks of ice and he burrows under the covers at night. As Vince loses weight, he may get colder.
Dar in MO says
We have a totally electric house so this month’s bill was over $600 and it’s not yet a full month of winter weather. I hate to think what it will be after our 12″ snow last weekend and the minus 0 temps predicted this weekend and more snow. I wear several layers all day and at night I’m plenty toasty under 2 or more quilts, but it’s hard to get up and go to the bathroom with the temp 62 in the room. Brrrr.