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wishstar

(5,815 posts)

16. At least electric heaters are much safer than fireplaces, wood stoves and kerosene heaters

Sun Feb 12, 2017, 06:40 AM

Feb 2017

To save money last winter, my neighbor burned wood in old fireplace with crumbling chimney that not only leaked fumes but nearly set entire house on fire - fortunately he hadn't yet left for work and was able to call fire dept promptly. Since then, he has quit burning wood.

Especially fo older or sicker folks, electric heaters are preferable for not giving off carbon monoxide or causing chimney fires and most newer models have good safety features such as turning off if they tip over.

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My brother's exploding power bill. [View all] Are_grits_groceries Feb 2017 OP

don't know where he lives KT2000 Feb 2017 #1

Does your brother spend the entire day in the house? renegade000 Feb 2017 #2

I think he works outside some but who knows. Are_grits_groceries Feb 2017 #5

He could try sealing cracks in the house and using Blue_true Feb 2017 #28

Programable thermostats start at around thirty bucks Motown_Johnny Feb 2017 #13

If he's using space heaters instead of the furnace that came with the house Warpy Feb 2017 #3

It's a house built in the 1950's? Are_grits_groceries Feb 2017 #4

You still need to check it out Warpy Feb 2017 #7

At least electric heaters are much safer than fireplaces, wood stoves and kerosene heaters wishstar Feb 2017 #16

$160 in height of winter probably not high enough to trigger alert yet wishstar Feb 2017 #6

I don't understand qanda Feb 2017 #8

Suspicion of growing marijuana indoors on a large scale I guess (nt) progree Feb 2017 #9

Oh, thanks qanda Feb 2017 #10

I don't think they could get a search warrant just because the electric billl is high progree Feb 2017 #15

I suppose the fear is they will think he is growing pot. But I doubt those numbers will trigger. Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2017 #12

That isn't very high IMO Motown_Johnny Feb 2017 #11

About 60 miles from the beach. It ain't that cold. nt Are_grits_groceries Feb 2017 #18

There are no appliances. Are_grits_groceries Feb 2017 #19

ok then, maybe that is high Motown_Johnny Feb 2017 #40

Trust me, A couple hundred dollar electric bill wouldnt fire up one plant. Old Vet Feb 2017 #14

With modern LED lights, indoor growing is quite easier. NutmegYankee Feb 2017 #39

Thanks for the info on the electric bill. Are_grits_groceries Feb 2017 #17

I thought the new grow bulbs used much less electricity. $160 doesn't seen to high for a winter bill OregonBlue Feb 2017 #30

Truth will be as spring approaches does it go down dembotoz Feb 2017 #20

Our winter electric bill is really high because we have a huge house and half is heated Vinca Feb 2017 #21

It isn't the high bill per se. Are_grits_groceries Feb 2017 #23

What were his bills for the same time period avebury Feb 2017 #26

Waaaay out of whack! Are_grits_groceries Feb 2017 #36

What state does he live in? There is probably a weatherization non-profit that could help insulate NoGoodNamesLeft Feb 2017 #22

drive there....go there...be there for your brother LaydeeBug Feb 2017 #24

You're already digitally implicated as you are the one paying the bill SticksnStones Feb 2017 #25

Any chance he could be allowing someone else, e.g. in a camper or shed Tanuki Feb 2017 #27

If something is going on, you're are already eyeballs deep in it. Adrahil Feb 2017 #29

Doesn't it matter that the account is not in the OP's name? TrekLuver Feb 2017 #32

Nope. The authorities can EASILY see that the OP paid the bill... Adrahil Feb 2017 #33

What's the price per KWh? NutmegYankee Feb 2017 #31

I've never heard of a 25$ electric bill. It costs that much just to have the service let alone TrekLuver Feb 2017 #34

A couple of space heaters... NCTraveler Feb 2017 #35

Does your brother have a smart meter? Brother Buzz Feb 2017 #37

There might be a problem with the home's wiring. MindPilot Feb 2017 #38

Space heaters are a godawful waste of electricity. Codeine Feb 2017 #41

If he is reimbursing you I fail to see the issue Egnever Feb 2017 #42

Try a Lasko heater flamingdem Feb 2017 #43