I was forced into early retirement in April and can't get a job due to age discrimination so this thread is very interesting to me! I am going 64 night/66 day in the winter and 76 summer. There are some months here in North Carolina you can just turn the unit off. We have a feather bed and feather comforter because I sleep with a very large fan going year round. What I find hilarious is my husband has started asking me if I'm cold. He works in the meat department of the grocery store and it's 32 degrees in there!!! If I get chilly I put on a sweater or do a "moving around" chore. When I sit down at night I toss my flannel backed quilt into the dryer for a few minutes and heat up a rice bag in the microwave for my feet. I have blinds and insulating drapes which seem to help keep the warm air in. My brother who does heat & air work told me to leave the thermostat at close to the same temp and not close off vents because it causes the system to have to work harder. Yes, sometimes I'm cold or hot but I'd rather put on/take off clothes than give the power company more money that I could use for food or fabric!