I love the rain. I don’t mind the cold so long as I’m not out in it much. I love the snow. I don’t like the ice at all. I can stay inside but if ice causes the power to go out, then . . I have a problem but, I wouldn’t be the only one who has a problem.
This house stays surprisingly warm. I may have mentioned yesterday that I don’t use the heat at night. When I got up yesterday morning, it was 61 degrees in the house (same as this morning). I turned the heat on and up to 65, threw on the old red jacket and took Rita out. It was drizzling and she was very quick. I got back in and thought it felt really warm but figured it was because I had been out in the cold. Looked at the thermostat and it had already gotten up to 65.
Yesterday evening, I kinda had a panic moment. I thought the house was all electric except for the two propane fireplaces. There’s a pretty big propane tank out there and Vince and I both commented that a 350 gallon tank seemed big for just two fireplaces that don’t get a lot of use. When we first bought the house, I think the tank was 40% full. We haven’t checked it because we aren’t using those fireplaces but the pilots do stay lit. When I mentioned using them to Vince, he said “the electricity is free”.
I’ve never liked electric heat. Gas heat seems so much warmer. Yesterday, with the heat running a good bit, it occurred to me . . this heat seems way too warm for electric heat. What if . . it’s gas and we just thought the seller said it was all electric? I haven’t checked that propane tank. What if we run out of propane tomorrow?
We have folders for everything they ever bought or did for this house. I could not find the HVAC file though I have seen it. I called Vince and said “Are you sure they told us this house is all electric except for the fireplaces?” He said yes. I said “The heat really feels like gas and I can’t find the HVAC folder.” He told me the folder was downstairs. Why? No idea but I couldn’t find it. I sent the seller a message and said “The heat in this house is electric, right?” He said “Yes, why?” I explained that I usually do not like electric heat and this feels like gas. He assured me it’s electric and I’m sure he knows. I am going to call today to get that propane tank filled though.
Our house in MO before . . I never felt warm in that house the entire winter. It seemed like when the heat came on, it blew cold air til you just about froze, then the heat kicked on, then it kicked off and immediately, I was cold again. I swore I’d never have electric heat again and . . here we are but I’m impressed with this heat. The a/c . . I wasn’t so impressed with. Since we were gone so much and the thermostat is not wifi, we’d make it cooler when we got to town and by bedtime, it seemed like the house was just getting cool. I don’t know . . I’m kinda baffled, in a good way, that the electric heat here works so well.
vivoaks says
I’ve always lived with oil heat, so really don’t know the difference. 🙂 I guess so long as you’re happy with what you have, it’s all good, right? 🙂
Ruth Chow says
Maybe it’s just very well insulated? A boon–our house doesn’t have side insulation and the heat goes away quickly.
Stephani in N. TX says
TX seems to have a lot of electric heat pumps, as opposed to CA. You’re right, heat pumps blow cold air when they first come on and the air seems to take its own sweet time to warm up. I have bypassed that since living in TX, setting my heat over to emergency heat which heats the house and bypasses the outdoor compressor. Guess which part of a heat pump goes out first?? The compressor if you’re using it most of the year! We replaced out share of compressors until I figured that out.
Judy Laquidara says
We have gas heat in Texas and I love gas heat but most of the newer houses do seem to have electric heat pumps.
Nelle Coursey says
Our new heater is like the old one, gas but has to have electricity for the motor. They told us we would not only save on the electricity but the gas as well.