Would it make more sense to put insulation into the walls with fillable insulation or put in a gas furnace? This person receives assistance on her electric bill so the bill will not exceed about $80 a month ever. It's a good resident that I don't want to lose. I can get a used a gas furnace installed for under $1000. That does not mean the resident will be happy with the gas bill. --74.141.xx.xx

Electric just heats the air and dissipates as soon as there is a draft --173.70.xxx.xxx

Perhaps she doesn't understand how to use it. Perhaps she is turning it off or up or dowb and it can't catch up, my guess is user expectation and not understand how it works. --66.87.xx.xx

Is there any chance of a community grant could go into the app for this winter? --74.141.xx.xx

who pays the heat/electric bill....you or her? oh wait....I think you say its here.....its her problem that she does not turn it up enough to heat the unit to her satisfaction OR.....the heaters in insufficient [or likely inappropriate] for the job --173.70.xxx.xxx

I would stay away from any used furnace. If like the type of 80% gas furnaces we use in Texas, this can be purchased new for right around $500, just for the unit. Check out ac wholesalers.com --75.141.xxx.xxx

If drafty is the issue...with old windows, not sure that insulation will fix the issue. --107.77.xxx.x

With the blower door,..you would be surprised what a couple of guys can do in a few hours,.caulking, weather stripping, etc.(I like to use 30 year Alex plus clear by DAP. for calking,..) --66.30.xx.xxx

Check to see if the attic insulation is recommended amount for you area. Attic insulation prevents the draftiness that comes from , hot air rising' (up into the attic.) Much 'draftiness' is that heat movement, or so I've been told. --70.92.xxx.xxx

Call your local Community Action Agency. They are the ones that do the Federal Govt Weatherization program for low income residents. CALL MONDAY !! --96.61.xx.xx

Ask for me if you attend this month in Parma. --76.188.xxx.xxx

The weakest link in the chain is the windows which often cause the most air leakage. If the windows are single pane with wooden frames have a R factor is only one if there is no air leakage. Upgrading the insulation in the walls and ceiling will reduce the heat loss significantly. Here new construction has a R factor of 20 for the walls and R 40 for the ceiling. Buying a used furnace is never a good option as furnace that is ten years old the heat exchanger can fail which is going to leak carbon monoxide. A ten year old furnace is like a ten year old car where the furnace is at the end of its life expectancy. Often wooden windows may have lead paint so it is better to replace. Sealing up any spaces or gaps can be done with a few cans of insulation foam along weather stripping all entrance doors. --184.147.xx.xxx

The windows are the old single pane wood frame. --74.141.xx.xx

Replace the larger windows first then gradually over time change the other windows. Try to fix the windows which are not replace with chalking along sealing up with spray foam insulation around the window. The most difficult part of replacing windows is removing the old window. If one was able to change themselves without hiring out the labour cost would be not be there. Allow a half inch around the window. There are many videos on you tube on how to do things which can be a great deal of help including adding insulation. R factor for insulation materials varies. The higher R factor is more expensive but more cost effective. If one breaks out a wall removed all the plaster then insulation can be installed then drywall can be put up. Adding a layer of bubble wrap over the insulation material improves the R factor. Suppose it would not be possible but if the walls had a R factor of 40 and ceiling had a R factor of 50 there would be no need for heating or cooling system. --207.164.xxx.xxx

do NOT waste your time on a single home improvement until you have an energy audit done. If her electric is subsidized..... then you can probably get it done for free --96.61.xx.xx

I looked up blower door. Appears I can spend a few grand to buy-I won't or go without. What is the fastest way to get the energy audit finished? --107.77.xxx.x

HUH!?,.. you don't go and BUY a blower door,..you hire someone to DO It,..Last time it cost me 40.00.... --66.30.xx.xxx

--96.61.xx.xx

What companies do the blower door test? --75.185.xxx.xxx

The better hvac guys, even little peanut guys like me, but I built mine from an old furnace blower, added the variable speed control and manometer connections from castaway pilot tubes, then you can run it before and after caulking things, a real easy one is replace all the outlets with the correct type and polarize them correctly on the perimeter walls - squirt in a little blob of spray foam and hurry up put the cover on (I only use metal cover plates - they dont crack even with the stuff ooozing out), same idea with the new switches, this saves a lot of leaking times how many outlets on the perimeter? --76.188.xxx.xxx

Get a professional energy audit - dont spin your wheels - they are almost free --96.61.xx.xx

How tall are your ceilings in this place.....if they are taller than 8 ft, it might be more difficult for the baseboard to get the place room --24.239.xx.xxx

I contacted community action and looks like a good fit for winterization. Resident is gathering proof of income. --107.77.xxx.x