The air filter is clean. That was one of the first things I checked when I realized how much propane I was using. When the furnace does kick on it seems like the air coming out is luke warm. I know it’s not going to be hot air but this isn’t very warm.
I thought about straw bails but I was kind of concerned about rodents??
You don't have to use straw, you can use plastic sheeting. You need to stop the air flow into the crawl space. Hay was cheap and effective in cutting down the airflow, which is why farmers (dah...they had lots of this stuff and it was free) used hay or more likely straw. Point is to cut the air infiltration. Did you check to see if the vents are closed? They need to be in the winter. Open in the summer.
Based upon your statement at the top, you are using about 4.5 gallons of fuel per day. For a home that size it sure sounds like something isn't workin or your furnace has seen better days. Some furnaces are very inefficient, and it also might not be working right. If it is old, you could even have cracked heat exchangers...which is dangerous. If it is that old, I would RUN to the hardware and get a carbon monoxide detector. Cracked heat exchangers are nothing to be fooled with.
Since propane is roughly $1.40 a gallon, and you are using 4.5 gallons per day average, $189 for 30 days is high but not so high that it is way way out of line for the weather we have been having over that time period.
Since you already have plastic on the windows, and you can wrap the foundation with some plastic to prevent the floor from gettin so cold, I would concentrate on the attic where 90% of the heat loss would occur. Insulation is cheap and maybe you can talk the Owner into adding some, as I think there is likely some tax credit help for him if he does.
Lastly I would look at some sort of centralize axillary heater which you can spot heat the living room or bath or whatever, at least during the coldest periods to get you over the hump and save some money on the bill.
Hate to break it to you, but when you buy a home yourself, it will cost you lots more money because YOU have to buy and install everything rather than the landlord. Hopefully if you do buy you will eventually build equity and some if not all of that cost can come back in the form of a forced savings account (equity build up). You can buy HUD homes right now with as little as $100 down payment, and even some help with the closing costs....but I am afraid that overall it will cost your more up front and monthly than what you are paying now.
