Help needed on my heating situation. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Coll Storm · 03-18-2006, 12:45 PM

A little background on myself and the situation. There are two of us living in the apartment and we have section 8. We are both clean and responsible, she is disabled, and I hold a full-time job.

Our rent is about 1200 a month and due to the fact that I'm working full-time pay the majority of the rent.

We were told coming in that paying for utilities wouldn't be a problem.

That's when we found out that the whole building isn't insolated and we were losing more heat than keeping. Even replacing the old windows with new ones hasn't done us any good.

Our bill on heating from Oct to April is averaging about $400.00 a month and the shit is hitting the fan at this point. We can't keep up. We owe about 2000.00 dollars and there is no way we can pay it. We think we're being over-charged, because none of our neighbors have heating bills this high.

We've kept the heat on 68 ( like they told us to do ) and have dressed in layers, but nothing is helping.

We're in Wakefield MA and use the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department.

Is there any way of getting this investigated? We've tried for fuel assistance, but we're just over the threshhold for meeting the requirements. At this point we're not even eating on a regular basis, because of this bill.

I'm tired of this and at my wits end. I need help. Please.

Coll Storm · 03-18-2006, 12:48 PM

Forgot to mention. It's a two bedroom apartment with a total of five rooms.

ngdawg · 03-18-2006, 03:43 PM

We live in a very old house. One thing we do every year is cover the windows frame to frame with shrink-wrap insulating plastic. It keeps most of the drafts out.
You didn't say if you run a stove or dryer-if so, get yourself a decent sized toaster oven-that will cut way back on stove and hence, gas usage. If you run a dryer, don't dry to completely dry-hang clothes up damp, with enough airspace so they dry without stinking.
Go over what you spend each week on food. Cut out the most expensive, buy only what is on sale and then only what you need-don't 'stock up'. Cheap shampoo, cheap laundry detergent work as well as fancy stuff, but dish detergents that are the cheapest are mainly water-stick to better brands and use their coupons.
Ceramic heaters work really well, as do the electric 'radiator' types. We have a radiator one in our unheated family room and it works great.
Check with the utility company about monthly budget payment plans. They will average out your annual usage and come up with a monthly payment-if you can cut usage, you may end up with a credit at the end of the budget year.
Also, the utility company should be able to send someone out to do an 'audit' of the apartment in which they will see both where the heat is being lost and why. They will then recommend how to fix the problems.

ngdawg · 03-18-2006, 03:47 PM

Forgot to mention. Your apartment placement has a lot to do with how it's heated or lack of. If it faces primarily north or has a large amount of windows, your heat will use up more energy than one facing primarily south or one that is in the center of the building(s). Additionally, the size of the apartment has everything to do with the amount you are using. Most complexes won't install heating units that are correctly sized for the square footage, so consequently, you could have a smaller unit than would be needed for your space, while the guy next door with only one bedroom is doing fine with the same size unit.

The_Jazz · 03-18-2006, 04:04 PM

I'm not sure what the laws are in Wakefield, but I do know that a lot of cities require landlords to meet certain requirements on heat and the amount of time it takes for a room to cool down. If you're Section 8, there are probably Federal guidelines that your landlord has to follow.

I would check with your utility to see if they have any winterizing programs to make your apartment more livable. Again, being Section 8 may play in your favor, and don't be afraid to pester people. Squeeky wheels get grease (or heat in this case).

In the meantime, I would try to figure out where most of the heat is escaping from. Check doors and windows for drafts. You can try dropping a piece of tissue paper from a height in the middle of a room and see which direction it blows.

ShaniFaye · 03-18-2006, 04:31 PM

How much are you paying per therm for your gas? Because of natural gas prices a LOT of people I know had really high gas bills this past winter 400 bucks and up. I had the lowest for a 1400 square foot house of anyone I knew...my highest bill was in January and it was only 144 dollars (we pay 1.18 per therm) When I called to transfer my gas to our new place this week she told me that unfortunately a lot of people were on a variable rate (we were on a fixed) and that it went over 2 dollars a therm in the last few months.

Psycho Dad · 03-18-2006, 07:34 PM

I would think that section eight housing should meet a certain insulation R value.

highthief · 03-19-2006, 08:50 AM

I have no idea what "section 8" means other than it's what Klinger was bucking for on MASH, but the fact that only you of all your neighbours has such a high gas bill despite keeping the temp at a nice moderate 68 degrees tells me there is something wrong. Do you use gas or electricity for heat, i could not tell.

Anyway, get someone in either from the utility company or elsewhere to check it out.

noodle · 03-19-2006, 09:51 AM

Your Section 8 rent is $1200??!! Damn. We've got it pretty good in Florida. There are definitely standards for these housing locations. Contact your worker's supervisor and ask that there be an inspection. If they refuse, call up the Housing Authority.

Rodney · 03-20-2006, 06:44 PM

Call the Section 8 people/housing authority. Explain the problem and relate that the neighbors don't seem to have the same problem. Section 8 requires the landlord to meet certain minimum standards for habitation in each unit, and these standards are moderately high. They might be able to help you.

maleficent · 03-21-2006, 01:56 PM

the gas company should be able to tell you what previous tenants have paid... especially in the summer months when the heat isn't on vs when the heat is on.

You also could get put on a budget wher you pay a set amount every month.

I'd also check with the landlord to see if you are paying to heat the common areas of the building you are in... It's usually split between the tenants, but who knows.... Generally that's written into the lease that you are - but unless you read the fine print -- you might have unwitingly agreed to it.

TotalMILF · 03-25-2006, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highthief

I have no idea what "section 8" means other than it's what Klinger was bucking for on MASH

Haha! My thoughts EXACTLY!!

Anyways, $400 is a ridiculous amount to pay for heating an apartment. When we were living in a century-old 5-bedroom 2-story house in Michigan and we had our gas pumped in from God-knows-where through a middle man and we didn't even have storm windows in the dead of winter when it was below zero every day, we STILL didn't ever pay more than $300/month. I just don't even see how it's possible in an apartment, regardless of the placement of your unit, that your gas bill is THAT high. You're definitely getting screwed, and I sure hope you find out who's responsible!

03-18-2006, 12:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Coll Storm Crazy Location: Boston	Help needed on my heating situation. A little background on myself and the situation. There are two of us living in the apartment and we have section 8. We are both clean and responsible, she is disabled, and I hold a full-time job. Our rent is about 1200 a month and due to the fact that I'm working full-time pay the majority of the rent. We were told coming in that paying for utilities wouldn't be a problem. That's when we found out that the whole building isn't insolated and we were losing more heat than keeping. Even replacing the old windows with new ones hasn't done us any good. Our bill on heating from Oct to April is averaging about $400.00 a month and the shit is hitting the fan at this point. We can't keep up. We owe about 2000.00 dollars and there is no way we can pay it. We think we're being over-charged, because none of our neighbors have heating bills this high. We've kept the heat on 68 ( like they told us to do ) and have dressed in layers, but nothing is helping. We're in Wakefield MA and use the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department. Is there any way of getting this investigated? We've tried for fuel assistance, but we're just over the threshhold for meeting the requirements. At this point we're not even eating on a regular basis, because of this bill. I'm tired of this and at my wits end. I need help. Please.

03-18-2006, 03:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	We live in a very old house. One thing we do every year is cover the windows frame to frame with shrink-wrap insulating plastic. It keeps most of the drafts out. You didn't say if you run a stove or dryer-if so, get yourself a decent sized toaster oven-that will cut way back on stove and hence, gas usage. If you run a dryer, don't dry to completely dry-hang clothes up damp, with enough airspace so they dry without stinking. Go over what you spend each week on food. Cut out the most expensive, buy only what is on sale and then only what you need-don't 'stock up'. Cheap shampoo, cheap laundry detergent work as well as fancy stuff, but dish detergents that are the cheapest are mainly water-stick to better brands and use their coupons. Ceramic heaters work really well, as do the electric 'radiator' types. We have a radiator one in our unheated family room and it works great. Check with the utility company about monthly budget payment plans. They will average out your annual usage and come up with a monthly payment-if you can cut usage, you may end up with a credit at the end of the budget year. Also, the utility company should be able to send someone out to do an 'audit' of the apartment in which they will see both where the heat is being lost and why. They will then recommend how to fix the problems. __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

03-18-2006, 03:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	Forgot to mention. Your apartment placement has a lot to do with how it's heated or lack of. If it faces primarily north or has a large amount of windows, your heat will use up more energy than one facing primarily south or one that is in the center of the building(s). Additionally, the size of the apartment has everything to do with the amount you are using. Most complexes won't install heating units that are correctly sized for the square footage, so consequently, you could have a smaller unit than would be needed for your space, while the guy next door with only one bedroom is doing fine with the same size unit. __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

03-18-2006, 04:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	I'm not sure what the laws are in Wakefield, but I do know that a lot of cities require landlords to meet certain requirements on heat and the amount of time it takes for a room to cool down. If you're Section 8, there are probably Federal guidelines that your landlord has to follow. I would check with your utility to see if they have any winterizing programs to make your apartment more livable. Again, being Section 8 may play in your favor, and don't be afraid to pester people. Squeeky wheels get grease (or heat in this case). In the meantime, I would try to figure out where most of the heat is escaping from. Check doors and windows for drafts. You can try dropping a piece of tissue paper from a height in the middle of a room and see which direction it blows. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

03-18-2006, 04:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	How much are you paying per therm for your gas? Because of natural gas prices a LOT of people I know had really high gas bills this past winter 400 bucks and up. I had the lowest for a 1400 square foot house of anyone I knew...my highest bill was in January and it was only 144 dollars (we pay 1.18 per therm) When I called to transfer my gas to our new place this week she told me that unfortunately a lot of people were on a variable rate (we were on a fixed) and that it went over 2 dollars a therm in the last few months. __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

03-18-2006, 12:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Coll Storm Crazy Location: Boston	Forgot to mention. It's a two bedroom apartment with a total of five rooms.

03-18-2006, 07:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	I would think that section eight housing should meet a certain insulation R value. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

03-19-2006, 08:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	I have no idea what "section 8" means other than it's what Klinger was bucking for on MASH, but the fact that only you of all your neighbours has such a high gas bill despite keeping the temp at a nice moderate 68 degrees tells me there is something wrong. Do you use gas or electricity for heat, i could not tell. Anyway, get someone in either from the utility company or elsewhere to check it out. __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

03-20-2006, 06:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Call the Section 8 people/housing authority. Explain the problem and relate that the neighbors don't seem to have the same problem. Section 8 requires the landlord to meet certain minimum standards for habitation in each unit, and these standards are moderately high. They might be able to help you.

03-21-2006, 01:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	the gas company should be able to tell you what previous tenants have paid... especially in the summer months when the heat isn't on vs when the heat is on. You also could get put on a budget wher you pay a set amount every month. I'd also check with the landlord to see if you are paying to heat the common areas of the building you are in... It's usually split between the tenants, but who knows.... Generally that's written into the lease that you are - but unless you read the fine print -- you might have unwitingly agreed to it. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.