I own a 2 story house and need to cut my heat bill this winter. Would it help to close off the upstairs?

Question

The house is old and drafty. I would like to cut my heat bill down if at all possible, but I am not sure where most of my energy is lost. I have been thinking about moving my bedroom downstairs and closing the upstairs off, There is a bathroom up there and I am concerned about pipes and the stool becoming frozen. I have a front door no one every uses and would like to replace it, but not sure if that is the route to go. How much does it cost to install a new front door and frame and would you close off the upstairs?

This house is so old, my dad was born and raised here. He died in January at 82 yrs old. The upstairs bathroom is on an inside wall the pipes run right thru the middle of the house between the stairs and the wall.

Answer 1

Also, have the gas company come out and take a look around. They can help you with the right tips for an old house to cut your bill. They did this for me, and I pay less than I did before!
You could also see if you qualify for their low income rates.

Answer 2

ok closing off the 2nd floor will save lots of money, I do the same. However also check your water valves leading upstairs. check the basement and hope they put a hot and cold valve shutoff down there that only shuts the upstairs off. If you have them, shut them off and open up your faucets in the upstairs sink. if you dont have the valves, then find when the piping goes up to the second floor and cut the pipes and install 2 new valves. YOUR cost for do it yourselfers is about $10.00 or less for the valves. As far as the front door? again if you do it yourself the cost will vary depending on type of door. An average door and frame and storm door,(dont forget storm door), could run you from $500-and up. BUT do you need to replace the door and do you have a storm door? If not install one! Then simply get insulating material to go around the door frame. this will save you hundreds in upfront costs and save heat. For a plumber to come in and add 2 valves ould run you $200.00, and to have someone install the doors, Probably add $200.00 to the cost of the door your buying.

Answer 3

It will probably save you some money if you close off the upstairs. Probably, depending on where you live and the bathroom does not have outside walls, the temperature won't get below freezing where the pipes are. If the pipes are in an outside wall, you're out of luck. You MAY be able to shut off the water to the upstairs bath if their are valves on those lines.
In any case, be certain to turn the temp way down in the house when you aren't home. Check with your supplier on door costs.

Answer 4

All old houses have this problem. Check your attic and see how much insulation is there. Calk around your doors and windows. I wouldnt recommend closing off your upstairs. You can find alot of tips on this on the do it yourself web site. Installing your own front door is difficult if you are not handy with tools. Again the diy.com is your best bet to get that info.

Answer 5

Replacing the door, depends on the material they used, oak will cost a little more.
Closing the second floor, is the best way to go!! since all the heat goes up! Closing you'r second floor, you'll be saving about 40% of heat and money!!

Answer 6

Do you have central heating?

If you do, you can close off any vents leading into any room you aren't going to use.

Closing off the second floor is possible, and can help. If you can't close off the stairs leading to the second floor, what you might want to think about is curtaining it off.

Also, ceiling fans are a HUGE help.

You can reverse the blades (via a switch) and it will help keep the warm air low, and in the summer, of course it will help to keep the house cool.

Answer 7

Yes, heat rises. Seal any open cracks outside and try to find and seal drafts.