Here is a comparison of our gas bill this year compared to last years. Last year’s bill for the month of December was 15900 cu. ft. of natural gas, or $168. This year’s is 3200 cu. ft., or $51. We didn’t even turn on our furnace at all until well into the billing month, when we decided we’d have it on for convenience from 5:30am-8am, set at 64 degrees. (It was just too much to get the stoves AND the kids going in the morning.) The rest of the day, the electronic thermostat is set at 50 degrees, which means it never turns on because we have the stoves going whenever it’s cold the rest of the time- sometimes one stove, sometimes both.
To review a longer timeline, I reviewed the utility bills for the 4 coldest months of last year. We averaged 20,900 cu. ft./month over the 4 month period. That’s $248.66/month, avg., at cheap municipal natural gas prices.
HOWEVER we have paid quite a lot for wood, as we get started. We're projecting spending the same amount in wood as we save in gas, by the end of winter, i.e. NO fuel savings. Here in the city, we will always have to buy wood, probably most of our supply. On our small lot trees do need to come down, but on an erratic basis. So, for this year, the fuel prices are probably going to be a wash, and that doesn’t begin to cover the stove costs (prices + installs). We will plan better next year, buy wood off season, and try to scrounge more for free on Craigslist. (Gotta build a firewood shed first- another expense.) But I expect that as gas prices rise in coming years, only then will it start to pay off.
Of course the intangibles: the house is MUCH warmer, and the ambiance is great, plus we consider this part of a larger plan for redundancy/resiliancy. Winter is now not a dreaded, cold and gray time of year, but a cozy time to hang out by the stove. The kids and cats love it, and I am enjoying my new hobby.
I am surprised about how the math works out, but also surprised that I have zero regrets. Any comments?
To review a longer timeline, I reviewed the utility bills for the 4 coldest months of last year. We averaged 20,900 cu. ft./month over the 4 month period. That’s $248.66/month, avg., at cheap municipal natural gas prices.
HOWEVER we have paid quite a lot for wood, as we get started. We're projecting spending the same amount in wood as we save in gas, by the end of winter, i.e. NO fuel savings. Here in the city, we will always have to buy wood, probably most of our supply. On our small lot trees do need to come down, but on an erratic basis. So, for this year, the fuel prices are probably going to be a wash, and that doesn’t begin to cover the stove costs (prices + installs). We will plan better next year, buy wood off season, and try to scrounge more for free on Craigslist. (Gotta build a firewood shed first- another expense.) But I expect that as gas prices rise in coming years, only then will it start to pay off.
Of course the intangibles: the house is MUCH warmer, and the ambiance is great, plus we consider this part of a larger plan for redundancy/resiliancy. Winter is now not a dreaded, cold and gray time of year, but a cozy time to hang out by the stove. The kids and cats love it, and I am enjoying my new hobby.
I am surprised about how the math works out, but also surprised that I have zero regrets. Any comments?
