Reply #117: Single pane is like having the windows open.

[Gregorian]

That is THE problem. And it's far more effective to change that than anything else you do. Fenestration is like an open hole in a wall, if it's not at least double pane.

Then there's infiltration. Look for air leaks. Under doors. Around doors. Old windows will have lots of leaks. Vents without louvers.

One way I keep warm is with an electric blanket. The digital blankets are 180 watts max. And there is hardly a better way to stay warm. But then I can't argue with those who say down is also good. I just like the electric because it can be regulated.

Chances are the wall insulation is poor. And attic or roof insulation is often neglected. Especially in open beam homes. Those require insulation on the exterior. Rigid boards up on the roof.

There are a number of ways to improve the situation.

Right now I would stay put and not go solar. I've just spent the last month researching it. I go off grid in a couple of weeks. We're only a couple of years away from the results of decades of research. Both batteries and photovoltaics. However, the incentives are also going to ratchet down as we reach milestones. Now that more people own the systems, the incentives are decreasing. So it's kind of a tradeoff. But if you don't mind 1890 battery technology, then go for it. But that's not going to solve your heating problem. Solar is so expensive still, you can only hope to augment your energy consumption.