Our latest gas bill arrived in the mail too and the figures are that we used slightly more therms this month year on year (but down from last month). In 2008 we used 51 therms, 2009 56 therms. Though we have an extra 2 days on the cycle this term so hard to compare thoroughly really. After an initial surprise, I actually realized why the usage was up. We had a power outtage one day due to electricity company maintenance and the heating thermostat timer wasn't reset and the heater was on overnight. Those couple of nights may have made all the difference! Something I'll definitely be thinking about in the future!

Bob made an interesting comment at the weekend. I'd taken a shower and he'd hopped into the shower after me and said that the water took ages to get to the right temperature. It was too hot. So I plan on turning down the thermostat a smidgen again. I think the warmer weather means we don't need such hot showers like we would in the winter (what little we get) so I'll be turning the dial on the water heater down another notch or two this week.