This is ridiculous

**homesteadmamma** · 05-13-2005, 01:13 PM

A few weeks ago I posted we were getting a 10.9% increase in our natural gas prices effective May 1/05.

Well they have now applied for (and will surely get - they always do) two increases.

~3.3% increase for Aug. 1/05
~3.1% increase for May 1/06

Thats a 17.3% increase all within one year.

This is getting ridiculous - do they want us all to freeze??!!

**jlxian** · 05-13-2005, 01:55 PM

I hate to say it CJ, but I think it is just the beginning of a whole lot of price increases on most everything. I hope I am wrong!

Is there any way you can incorporate some passive solar heating into your home?

**Darlene** · 05-13-2005, 01:56 PM

I'm sorry CJ, that stinks.

**homesteadmamma** · 05-13-2005, 02:14 PM

Jean I wish we could. With the way the house is built I don't think we can. We will definitely need to do something. Even with the insulating and all we've done, its still going to hit us hard.

We do have 3 windows we need to change yet. Those will get done hopefully this summer. Were looking at ways to insulate the basement, however our home sits on large stones.

We are seriously looking at installing a wood stove. Again, there are so many stipulations in regards to insurance its just about impossible to do.

**jlxian** · 05-13-2005, 03:19 PM

Here's another thought --- I've noticed some homes here with outside wood furnaces that duct the heat into the house. I'm guessing those would have less liability insurance-wise, but would probably be more expensive to buy and install. If you have existing ductwork for your furnace, this could "retrofit" (?) into that.

I sure hope you can come up with a feasible solution. It sounds like you are doing a great job to make your home as energy efficient as possible! Hang in there..... with everyone in the same boat, I bet there will either be a break in technology for a new heating system of some kind, or the energy companies will have to start eating some of their costs!

**duckduckgoose007** · 05-13-2005, 04:28 PM

I know how you feel CJ.

Since Jan.-- Our Car Ins...Homeowners Ins...House Taxes...Water & Sewer...and last but not least...our Health Ins. went up to $680 per month. YIKES!!! Plus we each have $78 a month taken out of the retirement check for Medicare Ins.

Our Gas & Elec. did not get raised because we signed a paper they sent out...no raises until sometime in 2006...but it is still $232 a month on the budget.

The only thing that didnot get raised is the car payment!