One in Five Americans Must Borrow to Heat Homes This Winter

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If you're elderly or have no credit? Bundle up baby!!!

For perhaps as many as 27 million American adults, keeping warm this winter will mean borrowing money and 20 million will use credit cards to be able to afford their heating bills, according to a CreditCards.com poll.

Nearly 12 percent of Americans say they will need to borrow money to pay winter heating bills; 9 percent will need to use credit cards to be able to afford their heating bills. The poll, commissioned by CreditCards.com and conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media, surveyed 1,004 randomly selected American adults by telephone Dec. 7-9, 2007 to gauge their attitudes about energy costs in 2008. A majority say they expect oil and gasoline prices to get worse in 2008.

You could always buy your relatives a heating bill gift certificate!!! Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like keeping Granny from freezing to death.

h/t Chris in Paris.

Paddy is a regular contributor to Cliff Schecter.com.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I'd turn down the heat or find a more fuel efficient home that I could afford.

[Amby 490]

I'd turn down the heat too! My sister is nuts she always turns it up to 85 or 86 when I'm not looking and then I don't realize it until I start to sweat.

[Emancipation 2]

I don't know about the rest of yas.. but this is frightening to me.. not cool.. (ugh.. pun not intented)!!

[rebeccajo 14]

I'd turn down the heat or find a more fuel efficient home that I could afford.

A lot of old people do bundle up.

And it's not so easy for them to just up and move. Many have a home that's paid for (albeit not energy efficient) and they can't afford to move to better housing because of their smaller incomes. Many don't have anyone who could help them move, or are not in good enough physical condition to pack their house up either.

[*JG* 2]

yah, I think it is pretty scary too.

We started using electric heaters in our more used room. Electric is so much cheaper then gas.

[*JG* 2]

I'd turn down the heat or find a more fuel efficient home that I could afford.

A lot of old people do bundle up.

And it's not so easy for them to just up and move. Many have a home that's paid for (albeit not energy efficient) and they can't afford to move to better housing because of their smaller incomes. Many don't have anyone who could help them move, or are not in good enough physical condition to pack their house up either.

There you go again, reading my mind. I was going to say the same thing.

Really, this isn't a feasible solution for most people. It's not always so easy to sell your existing house in this market, let alone take on the expenses of purchasing a new one.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

A lot of old people do bundle up.

And it's not so easy for them to just up and move. Many have a home that's paid for (albeit not energy efficient) and they can't afford to move to better housing because of their smaller incomes. Many don't have anyone who could help them move, or are not in good enough physical condition to pack their house up either.

Sister RJ - you are wise. Not everyone has access or opportunity to just 'move to a better place' -- income, leases by term, mortgage, disability, chronic illness, etc.......

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I only know I wouldn't keep a Hummer (paid off or not) if I could not afford the fuel. It's not like heating prices are going to go down in the years to come. You have to think long term. I'd find a way to either make the home more energy efficient or sell.

I'd turn down the heat or find a more fuel efficient home that I could afford.

A lot of old people do bundle up.

And it's not so easy for them to just up and move. Many have a home that's paid for (albeit not energy efficient) and they can't afford to move to better housing because of their smaller incomes. Many don't have anyone who could help them move, or are not in good enough physical condition to pack their house up either.

[HAL 9000 96]

Nahh... we keep the thermostat no higher than 65 and in the long run, its all the more reason to hug a lot more. I had no idea my girl was going to like winter this much and it hasn't even started yet.

[Kevin and 10]

yah, I think it is pretty scary too.

We started using electric heaters in our more used room. Electric is so much cheaper then gas.

Our electric is going up. The State mandated green energy, so the energy co. just passes the cost to the consumers. Otherwise I would use one. Corn burners are big around here. I thought about it , but the price of corn is going up due to the ethanol mandates.

I use a set back on my thermostat of about 8 degrees when I'm not home. I installed it a couple years ago and it really made a difference in my bill. I am also on the budget plan, so I pay in the summer.

We have a cold weather law in MN. If you can't afford to pay your heat you can apply for some program and they can't shut off heat between Nov-Mar I think. But they will shut you off in Mar. and you must pay or attempt to pay in order to have service the next season.

I need to move somewhere warm.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I like your thinking! Mine likes to hug close too when its cold. Next winter will be nice.

Nahh... we keep the thermostat no higher than 65 and in the long run, its all the more reason to hug a lot more. I had no idea my girl was going to like winter this much and it hasn't even started yet.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I set it at 66 when we're home, 62 when out.

[mawilson 2,133]

Where's that global warming you keep promising us, Steven?

[rebeccajo 14]

Did you sell your Hummer?

We just sold our large home and moved to a smaller one. One reason - heating costs. One of the other reasons was skyrocketing gas prices (the home was located in the suburbs and our new tiny house is closer to our jobs).

Should everyone have to do what we did because of oil profiteering?

It's all well and good to talk conservation, but until you've personally made that kind of choice, the comment comes off as off-handed and flip to me.

I only know I wouldn't keep a Hummer (paid off or not) if I could not afford the fuel. It's not like heating prices are going to go down in the years to come. You have to think long term. I'd find a way to either make the home more energy efficient or sell.

I'd turn down the heat or find a more fuel efficient home that I could afford.

A lot of old people do bundle up.

And it's not so easy for them to just up and move. Many have a home that's paid for (albeit not energy efficient) and they can't afford to move to better housing because of their smaller incomes. Many don't have anyone who could help them move, or are not in good enough physical condition to pack their house up either.