I went without the heat running for almost two weeks. It got pretty cold this weekend and I had to turn the heat back on, on Monday.
Every Monday, we play bridge at my house and I can't let my guests freeze, so I turn the heat up to 68. They are still cool, but I am sweating!
Yesterday I got my older dog groomed (haircut) and she was shivering in the house. I just got her heating pad out of the closet for her to lay on, when the power went out.
Even dh was complaining how cold he was in the house. After about an hour, the power came back on and I heated the house up to 66, so if the power went out, it woulded be too cold.

I got my electric bill in the mail and it was only $88. Not bad for a 3200 sq. foot house plus extra double garage with bath and efficency room above. That is $90 under budget, so I will add that to my challenge money.

Prev. total $8275.00
today 90.00
new total $8365.00