Oil Consumption.... NON-Automotive

[UNHCLL]

How about Heating Oil!!!!

I'd like input from those who are old enough to own a home, or who rent a whole home and are responsible for home heating oil.

I'd like to minimize the oil usage my apt. goes through. Its 2 floors, nothing big... maybe 550-600sq. Ft. between the 2 floors. I dont pay for oil, but I'd like to reduce the usage so I dont give my landlords a greater incentive to raise my rent come spring time when I renew the lease.

Things I do currently:
1) Keep shades closed to keep out radiant loss
2) Keep heat at a steady state. No major fluctuations from like OFF to 95F.
3) Keep the downstairs heat low since I'm never in that part of the apt.
I dont get a lot of solar warmth as I dont have alot of windows or Southern exposure.

I keep the downstairs at ~60F and the upstairs at ~68F.
Would I be better to keep both at the same... perhaps like 64F?

Odd I know, but eh... less incentive for raised rent = good in my book.

TIA,
CL

[bmwannabe]

put rugs in front of door sils, it will reduce the amount of draft you get coming into the house.

[Jarvis]

Keep all doors shut inside whenever possible.

Get one of those electric fake fireplaces. Last time I checked, electricity was still cheaper than natural gas.

[UNHCLL]

Keep all doors shut inside whenever possible.

Get one of those electric fake fireplaces. Last time I checked, electricity was still cheaper than natural gas.

I'm using Petroleum Oil. Not LNG.

Elec heaters like those can be $... I also think the lease has a clause about not using them due to fire potential.

I'll do the rug thing infront of the doors. I'll also look into getting some nice fabric drapes for the sliding glass door and downstairs windows instead of the stupid plastic ones.

[Jarvis]

Some strippers could probably do a good job keeping you warm. I bet the ones up in NH are cheaper than the heating bill.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

screw all that. you learn to survive at military school. not because they deprive you, but they are too lazy to turn on and off the heater / a/c at the right times. The A/C is still on in my dorm.

kill your thermostat. no more heater.

bundle up! blankets, sweaters, two layers of socks. do whatever! you'll have plenty of heat by then.
hell. run a mile or two.

[M-technik-3]

Where sweats and double layer your chest. I get by at 70 all year round in my room. Also 3M the windows it helps big time.

The door towel works well for stopping the drafts. Close off unused rooms. And tell land lord that you will install insulation in room towards discount on rent. I will be insulating my new garage. Putting a waste oil furnance in also if I can get one cheap in VA.

[bimmerphile]

get grease from mcdonald's
filter shit out of grease
soak newspaper/wood/etc in above filtered grease
burn
enjoy french-fry smelling house


humor aside, i'm serious. I'm converting a diesel to run on the same stuff (well, just the grease anyway).

[M-technik-3]

Bio-diesel= fry-o-lator waste and white vinegar equals cheap fuel. White? have forgotten but is defineatly cheap alternative.

[UNHCLL]

Where sweats and double layer your chest. I get by at 70 all year round in my room. Also 3M the windows it helps big time.

The door towel works well for stopping the drafts. Close off unused rooms. And tell land lord that you will install insulation in room towards discount on rent. I will be insulating my new garage. Putting a waste oil furnance in also if I can get one cheap in VA.

I do need to address this issue.

They ripped out all the insulation under the downstairs floor since it had rotted. They have yet to install the new stuff.... :x

I keep it at a steady 68-70 all the time upstairs. I'll bumpe downstairs up to 68 so its not a differential change.

[Jon325i]

humor aside, i'm serious. I'm converting a diesel to run on the same stuff (well, just the grease anyway).

What kinda car are you converting to Greasel?

As for staying warm, definately layer the clothing....cheapest alternative. The 3M around the windows and rugs at the door(s) are good suggestions. Maybe start dining at one of those Hardee's that sells those 1-bazillion calorie hambergers. A nice layer of fat will help keep you warm

Jon

[Dave]

I have a client that makes biodiesel. We have a couple of stations locally that just started selling it. It is actually blended with regular diesel to make it work without problems in diesel car engines.

While they do make it from used fryer grease and other soy oils, it is a lot more complicated than mixing old fryer grease with vinegar.

If I had a diesel, I'd use the stuff.

[James Crivellone]

God damn I hate how my home has electric heat