I'd ask her what she's comfortable paying and offer to pay a bit extra. She may be worried unnecessarily and be expecting a $300 bill when it's more like $120 (as opposed to $95).

Anonymous wrote:I like things cold but even I agree that's too low. 66-68 is reasonable. You need to throw money at this problem. Offer to pay two thirds of the bill in months where the average temperature is 45 or lower.

Tyat is not reasonable.

Like PP said, a decent portion of your gas bill are fees that will be there whether or not you run the heat. You pay that portion in summer months too just for having gas running to the house.

I like things cold but even I agree that's too low. 66-68 is reasonable. You need to throw money at this problem. Offer to pay two thirds of the bill in months where the average temperature is 45 or lower.

Half your gas bill, if you look is for the provision of the service anyway, so what you use in terms of actual heat is a negligible increase on the final bill total.

We keep ours at 60. It really does make a difference on heating bills. I do think your roommate should compromise. 68 sounds more normal. What if you pay 3/4 the heating bill? Being home all day uses a lot more energy.

Btw our secrets to staying warm are ugg slippers, electric blankets and an electric throw if I get cold watching tv. We've found that if you're working around the house you don't get cold. It's only when you sit too long (which you would teleworking).

Anonymous wrote:Most leases stipulate 65 minimum because of frozen pipes

This.

63 is too low.

Anonymous wrote:That is 9 degrees below room temperature. She's being unreasonable. Why is 63 degrees the magic number to "save money"? How about for January you put it at 66 and then compared heating bills between December's and January's? If it's more in January, you pay the difference.

December was in the 70s so this is a bad idea.

I'm warm natured and like to keep my house cool, but 63 is low. 66 is reasonable. However, if you work at home and she does not, it isn't really fair to expect her to pay to heat the house all day to a comfortable temperature for you while she's gone. I think you should offer to pay more of the heating bill. If money is tight for you, and you can see your gas meter, you can probably even figure out what it costs to heat the house to a higher temp over x hours (the per btu cost should be on your bill). I actually think the 3 degree difference isn't going to be that much.

You roommate has a few screws loose.

You are right. She is wrong.

If she turns it to 63, turn it up to a reasonable temperature. You really are not saving much money by keeping it at an unbearable temperature. If your heat is natural gas, you might be talking pennies or a few dollars at most.

Your roommate is a dick. I'd want a roommate who understands compromise and isn't crazy.

* compare not compared

That is 9 degrees below room temperature. She's being unreasonable. Why is 63 degrees the magic number to "save money"? How about for January you put it at 66 and then compared heating bills between December's and January's? If it's more in January, you pay the difference.

Most leases stipulate 65 minimum because of frozen pipes

Offer to pay more.

So I live with a roommate (I'm 27) and this is our first winter living together (we moved in together in April) and we are having major issues over the heat. She wants it set at 63 TOPS and while I'm fine keeping it lower to save money, I'm not fine with it that low. I've tried putting it on 66 to compromise and then 64 at night and she will go back and change all the settings back to 63. I'm home during the day as I work from home so I'm FREEZING. This has turned into a major issue for us and I don't know what to do at this point. I feel like even 66 is low for heat setting and I thought that it was a good compromise but she's adamant about having it at 63 to "save money". It's only January and it's already freezing with it at this temperature and I can only imagine what it'll be like in February or March when it's colder with snow. What can I do to get her to stop battling me over the heat setting and please tell me I'm not being rediculous at trying to compromise at 66!!