New Furnace Day – Greg Michaels

Our family's quest to save money continues. Last year we switched out our windows for a couple of reasons, first because of lead, second in hopes of eliminating draft. It has helped us save about 20% on our oil bill as best as I can tell.

This year we're getting a new furnace. We wavered on this as we were hoping that the natural gas pipeline would expand up our road, but no one on the street seems to be jumping at the idea and we don't have the money nor do we want to pay for the pipeline ourselves, so there it ends about 100 yards due east from our driveway.

Yesterday, the furnace guy was here assembling the furnace, today apparently he's doing the switch over. The company was telling me that they were hoping for a "warm day" to do this, but we all agree, sooner than later would be best. Ironically It's probably the coldest day of the year for a project like this but we're full speed ahead.

Our old furnace is about 45 years old and runs at about 66-67% efficiency. They tell me the new one should save us a ton over the next few years.

Last year we spent $3,000 to heat the house over the winter. This year, it's more $1,500 so far, however, oil is about two thirds the price as last year, so it's hard to tell.

We've jacked the heat up to 75 in anticipation of the switch out. As this is being written at around 8:30 am I probably should wrap it up and get a shower in before they get here and take down the heat and hot water.