We just got our power bill for last month. 1 br apartment, only gas appliances are furnace (set on 72) and water heater (nearly cranked, but doesn't make it through two showers, whoever gets up second has an unhappy ending. Also seems to make loud boiling noises a lot.).

Our gas usage was nearly 5 therms a day, at 95 cents each, about 5 dollars a day resulting in a power bill with electricity of $183 US. Doesn't that seem high? When I was the treasurer for my fraternity of 33 guys with gas furnace, water heater, stove, griddle, deep frier, never has a power bill more than around $410.

What the hell?

The walls probably aren't insulated very well. Even with well insulated walls, a furnace can't keep up with the deep freeze we've been in!

December was a very cold month for many parts of the Midwest....keep that in mind.

Sounds like our winter bill.

Also sounds like you need to clean your water heater. Theres a drain at the bottom. You should hook a hose to it so that you can drain it to a safe place. Then open it and let it run til the water comes out clear.

I ended up installing a $50 programmable thermostat when we were in the apartment that was set to 64* during the hours we worked and overnight. This helped and paid for itself in just over 2 months but was still high.

MOS, I'm gonna have to try the hot water tank cleaning. Now we don't seem to get 50 gallons worth of hot water.

everything in my place is electric and the bill this month was $116, last month was only $84. Oh well, it could always be worse I suppose.

Talk about poorly insulated walls.. Our bedroom closet actually had frost on it one night. If I owned the building we live in, the first thing I'd do is rip down all the plaster/drywall and re-insulate the whole place.

The progammable thermostats help a lot, too!!

Frost =

Yes, the programable thermostats are a lifesaver. The invest might seem high, but they pay for themselves very quickly!

I have one in my place but not sure how to work it. It didn't come with a manual when I bought the place. I know most men NEVER look at instructions but I am a woman and would like to read up on how to work this thing.

Look inside the front cover, there are normally instructions there.

Or...

What brand and model is it?

You can go to the manufacturer'* website for instructions on programming it. Aren't there instructions on the door that opens on the face? Once you get the instructions, it'* not tough to program.