As I suggested somewhere else, a while ago - on a windy day, light a candle and move it around the margins of doors, windows (uncluding cracks in the middle), light switches, wall plugs, range hoods, exhaust fans, etc. to find drafts.

Then - plug 'em.

Somewhere else, a few months ago, I gave instructions for installing a (heavy) plastic sheet (preferably UV light resistant) into drafty windows, holding it in place with slim strips of wood around the margins. In such a way that it can be removed easily in spring and reused for years, unlike the kinds that you install by gluing around the window edges, then tighten by shooting hot air on them. And scrap when you remove 'em in the spring: stores love that kind - frugal folks don't. Or, rather would prefer to find a more economical system, if possible.

If some of you didn't see the instructions you may be able to find them elsewhere on this forum, but if you can't find them and want to know more, send me a request.

Some folks, having worked hard to make their homes more airtight, then found that there was a problem with too much condensation on the windows. So have become more blase [acute accent on the "e" - which my non-French-friendly computer can't handle] about a certain amount of cold air entering the home.

Some years ago, my brother, who lives in an area where the temperatures go as low as -40 degrees, built a home.

They built it so airtight that moisture from cooking (usually for 2, sometimes for three, occasionally for more), showers, etc. collected on the windows to such an extent that they had to put towels down on the sills and floor to collect the moisture.

So - they bought a heat exchanger, which blows heat out of the house through a series of concentric cans, with cold air from outside travelling through alternate channels, such that the warm air is cool to cold as it exits - and the cold air coming in is warm to hot as it enters the home.

Works great. Cost something over $1,000. somewhere around 10 years ago, I think. Haven't talked to him about whether he's had to replace parts, etc.

He's smart and innovative, and loves working in metal, welding, etc. and plans to do more of it, and refurbish some old tractors (including one that we took out from this area when we moved there, nearly 60 years ago), now that he's retired.

He doesn't have an email address: no computer.

He does have a phone, though.

Hope your neighbours can say that your home is full of hot air. Especially when you're there.

Just my way of agreeing that it is a good idea to turn the heat down when you expect to be away for a while.

Probably a good idea to pull the fuses/ flip the circuit breakers on the (electric) hot water heater, as well.

Maybe turn off the gas-fired one - but only if you are permitted to relight it yourself (not need a gas co. technician to do it - which you'd probably find too expensive).

Good wishes for getting all the hot air that you need - at as reasonable a price as possible.

still joyful

I have an electric warming blanket. It's thinner than a regular electric blanket and is cheaper. Whichever of us get in our jammies first turns on both controls and the last one to bed turns back the furnace thermostat to 60 degrees. We have saved a tank of oil this way so far. If the price of fuel oil keeps going up hubby is going to build a solar heater of some type. Have a ton of old Mother Earth magazines so there will be plans there. Kathy

The heated throws are nice too - you can use one while watching TV or reading and set the heat lower. They only draw about 100 watts.

You can actually save energy with a portable electric heater, too, if you use it to heat the room you're in and turn the house thermostat down. (If you have electric baseboard heat, however, you can already control the heat in each room individually, so you can heat just the room you're in without a portable heater.)