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PocketSpaghettios t1_j6s7uaz wrote

Reply to comment by Wickersaltlamp in PPL electric “accidentally” took a 3 month advance on automatic payments today by theREALPLM

My house is 1690ft^2. We try to keep the temp around 68°F. We're gonna get new windows because all of ours are garbage, but that's gonna be a $10k expense 🤮 our furnace is also from the 70s so I'm sure it's not super efficient. I want to add more insulation to the attic too but my partner and my dad don't think it will help (I don't think it could hurt but what do I know)

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justasque t1_j6t6c5f wrote

See if the power company will do an energy audit to help you figure out which improvements give the most bang for our buck. Plus those kits where you put plastic over your windows really do make a difference. Also, thermal curtains help. We have kind of gotten away from the old ways, and with an older house and colder weather, they are worth rediscovering. (And I’m with you on the attic insulation, if there isn’t a decent amount already.)

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Wickersaltlamp t1_j6sa5fe wrote

Yeah, that's not a huge house, so the windows should make a huge difference, unfortunately, for your wallet. More insulation should help too. Not sure why it wouldn't. My house has a furnace from the 90s and insulation from the 70s, windows are good as far as keeping their seals. I'm thinking of adding all new insulation. The finished part of my basement has no floor insulation and I think it's a big problem.

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PocketSpaghettios t1_j6sacll wrote

Unfortunately we bought our house knowing a lot of it wasn't updated. That's why it was such a good deal. It's going to be painful, but it's becoming more and more obvious how necessary the windows are

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Wickersaltlamp t1_j6sbiq2 wrote

At least you got a deal! You could be me buying a house with known problems and not a good deal lol

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ho_merjpimpson t1_j6t70w1 wrote

id try some decent curtains, or some of the window film to see if it makes a big difference before you make a big adjustment.. how old are the windows?

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PocketSpaghettios t1_j6t9o4b wrote

The house was built in the 1960s and a couple of the windows are original. So literally anything would be an improvement on what we have lol

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ho_merjpimpson t1_j6tb0qe wrote

id definitely consider doing some of the film to hold yourself over. its not the greatest looking stuff, but who cares. it will save you hundreds just dealing with it the rest of this year.

that or even get some quality full coverage curtains for the original windows, and getting in the habit of keeping your blinds closed when you arent in the room.

we have a pellet stove, but we can literally cut the amount of fuel we burn in half by keeping blinds shut vs open.

i know you didnt ask for this advice, but it might help you out.

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hoptimus-prime t1_j6thzck wrote

Attic insulation can be a big saver especially if you're able to plug up any decent sized holes that may have arose from animals or wear/tear. A colleague of mine recouped his investment on insulating the attic in about two years!

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Mijbr090490 t1_j6u78cj wrote

Attic insulation will help tremendously as well as air sealing the attic. Fwiw, even old gas furnaces maintain about 80% efficiency, so unless you go to a condensing gas furnace you won't see much improvement on the electric bill. If I were to upgrade it would definitely be to a high efficiency unit.

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Top_File_8547 t1_j6ug63n wrote

Our gas bill dropped by almost half when we got a new furnace in 2008. It’s 92% efficient. That’s probably your cheapest choice. We also had shitty windows until last year. The bill has gone down since the windows too but not as much as the furnace.

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QuickNature t1_j6vgzat wrote

Attic insulation will help a lot as heat rises. The more you slow the escape the of heat from your house the better. This is also works the opposite in summer as well if you run AC. It will reduce how much heat can flow into your house.

Windows are also a huge factor that effects the transfer of heat. If they are single pane, you are hemorrhaging head outside. Double pane with good weather stripping will make a huge difference. Those plus the insulation would have a larger net effect than buying a new furnace.

The last thing I would upgrade is the furnace. They are surprisingly efficient, even if they are older. Still should update it if you can afford it because efficiency has increased, but the windows and insulation will help the most.

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princeoinkins t1_j6sclxp wrote

where are you at? I'm outside Lancaster and I work selling windows/doors/lumber. I can give you a good price

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