Sticker Shock

[jttheclockman]

I must say I almost fell on the floor today when I opened my PSE&G bill. The natural gas bill was very ugly. I think some serious changes like wearing woolen long johns is in order here. Is this happening throughout the world or is it an East coast thing here in the good old USA???

[NC Scroller]

Same problem here in NC. The only thing we have going for us is we average 15 to 20 degrees warmer then you Northern Boys. I know I am from up state NY....... Scott

[Greenfield_Bob]

John, same thing here in central Indiana. Just got my bill today and it was the highest I have ever had and the bad thing is it wasn't that cold. I guess we will have to wear warmer clothes.

Bob

[SharonW0111]

Here is my gas bill since around oct--note the increase-- oct--$26....nov--$65 ...dec..$130 - havent gotten jan yet and I think I ll have to morgage my dog to pay it -- but now rember this is Texas and our temps are still in the 70 s in the daytime and 40s at night- I m Not using gas in the day -- Wonder who is ??--The electric is still over $130 + which is unusual this time of year.. ANY ONE WANT TO ADOPT ME so they can pay these -- just kidding- I'm not house broke yet..lol
Sharon

[Woodbutcher68]

My bill has tripled, but I'm not turning down the thermostat. At least the oil companies lowered their prices.

[William Young (SE BC)]

Living on the mountainside with no natural gas within a mile , I have a propane tank for my furnace. Put $200.00 worth in it several years ago and non since. It is only for backup heat if I have to go away in cold weather.
I burn wood in an airtight heater to heat my house . Most of the wood is free from the logging road up the mountain just behind me.
I am getting pretty ancient so when the time comes that I don't feel like chainsawing my wood and hauling it home , I can buy the best firewood for a 4x4x8 cord for $150.00 a cord delivered. I only burn two cords a year so $300.00 a year will do it for me.
Country living does have some advantages.
W.Y.

[Old Mooner]

My "gas" bill for heating last month was $374 and I live in Texas. The next one will no doubt be a ripper. Of course electricity is also going up in price around here. I admit I live in a big, old, two-storey house, but I keep my thermostat set at 68 degrees (72 is "normal" for most humans) and, as the Brits do, actually wear clothing around the house. Seems I am going to have to wear "old man" sweaters and socks to keep warm.
Short story--When I was a young buck in the USAF I went to jolly old England for three years. I lived in a "modern" house with "central heating" which mean't that there was a central boiler (it burned coal) in the kitchen that heated water that circulated through the house to small, flat radiators in other rooms. It warmed the radiators to the point where they were warm to the touch. Of course, being American (Yank) I was used to coming home, throwing off my clothes and running around the house in a tee-shirt and shorts. No more. There was a fireplace in the living room that also burned coal. Ever try to light a rock? I wound up buying something called "parifin heaters" (kerosene) to go in the bedrooms. I still froze and when I visited my British neighbors I found that they were only heating one or two rooms and leaving the others unheated. Unheard of! They thought my house was unbearably hot and my teeth were rattling. Anyway, I got used to it and changed my way of dressing (and living). My neighbors also thought I bought too many groceries at one time. Maybe I am going to have to remember how to live like that again. Maybe Gill can tell you how things have changed since then.
Moon

[wwalker47]

I live in Florida and my electric has gone up, even when we don't have anything (heat or air) turned on, it seems. I know, I know you northerners are really worried for me, afraid I might freeze?

Old Mooner, I also lived in England and it sounds like you were in my house. We had the same Central heating system and fire place. I would like to have the "paraffin heaters" back, tho, they really worked well. I was a kid living over there while my Dad was in the USAF--1963-1965. He was stationed at High Wycombe, lived in Flackwell Heath.

-Bill

[jttheclockman]

It is ashame how we become so dependent on things we can't control. Someone mentioned they are not turning the thermostat down, well I am not either but never keep mine above 68 anyway because I like to run around in sweats. It has not even been a terrible winter here but if it were I can only imagine what some people on fixed incomes would be doing. I have to say I was floored because it was 2 &1/2 times higher than the month before. I do see this is not an isolated case though. Stay warm and hope for a short season so we can pay for big electric bills next when we need to put air conditioners on.

[bearfretworks]

Well I'll be...... Finally found something cheaper in Alaska - natural gas! Of course, we inject 30+% of the daily US demand right back into the oil wells each and every day. The politicians ae working with the oil companies to get a gas pipeline built to bring that stuff to market in the lower 48.