how to stay warm this winter?

Question

Because my hours were cut at work for a couple weeks the money I had saved up to get my furnace fixed had to be used to pay bills and lot rent. The most I have saved up is about 200 dollors. So...I have to use the alternative which means I cant afford to have my furnace worked on but I still want to keep the house somewhat warm. I live in Michigan so winters can get pretty cold at times. I also live in an older style mobile home. Everyone keeps telling me to use space heaters but I really dont want to go that way because of the way they run up the electricity. I was thinking of covering my windows with plastic, and thick blankets, using alot of blankets on myself, have lots of soup and hot drinks. someone mentioned using 100 watt lightbulbs or heat lamps. Anymore suggestions would be helpful. Or has anyone else been in a simular situation? Also will my pipes outside freeze with no furnace? I do have them wrapped with heat tape and I leave the water trickling. Help please

Answer 1

Is your furnace gas or electric. If it's electric, they are pretty easy and inexpensive to fix, especially if it just needs a heating element or fan. You can email me an I'll talk you or a handyperson friend through it. You'll need an inexpensive multimeter or VOM.
Other than that, if you don't have carpet, put down some rugs.
One of the biggest differences you can make is putting towels at the base of your door jambs.
Any gaps in windows should be caulked and you can also use towels if cold air comes in at the base.
Make sure you reverse the rotation on your ceiling fans.
Plastic or blankets around windows, as posted previously, is also a good idea.

Answer 2

If you have a propane stove, you can run it to produce heat, and it will probably be cheaper than using electricity for heat. Covering windows with plastic sheeting will help; do not have it touch the glass but leave a small air space. There is definite risk of freezing pipes. Covering interior walls with blankets will help a bit; again, don't have the blanket in direct contact with the wall, but leave a small air space.

Answer 3

Your pipes should be OK with the heat tape. The film over the windows helps, the blankets will help also. We used to use the stove for heat, in the morning and while we cooked breakfast. Plenty of blankets at night.

good luck.

Answer 4

The black bear roaming my woods are doing just fine.I leave them alone and they steal my bird seed a couple times a year and then go on their way. As for keeping warm, judging by how many times my heat has come on today it is cold out and I am warm and snuggy. Wearing a fleece pullover, having a cup of tea, some Chocolate coated popcorn, ( makes me happy!) and my column is all finished. All is well and cozy here in the woods, thank you... Geesh. Yahoo said this question was deleted after I answered it. Now here it is.. Are they confused or what!..

Answer 5

do you have a place to put a wood burning stove or a fireplace? insulating the windows will help keep the drafts out, putting towels at the bottom of the door will help to keep the drafts out as well. space heaters are good if you are able to keep an even temperature in the house.

I don't think that your pipes will freeze as long as they are insulated outside and you keep it running at a trickle...

Good luck staying warm. Bundle up, perhaps you will find someone to help keep you warm.

Answer 6

is there assistance you can apply for?

good luck, i know how hard it is. i remmy when i was little our house was so cold cos my parents were poor and our pipes froze and water burst all over it was scary.

there's monitor heating system they're like 500-1200 dollars maybe there's some on sale but you could try talk to the store owners and explain your sit. maybe they'll be able to finance.

good luck