You southern folk have a distinct advantage in the winter.
I would say I am somewhat jeolous, but with monthly energy bills of $80.00 total for everything (my house is totally electric, NO gas), and it is a nice 70 degrees inside, I cannot complain and I do not have to deal with all the critters you all have there, like Fire ants for example. Or Lizards. Or poisonous snakes. Or.....
Anyway, if I had that opportunity I would do the same.
Heat pumps get a bad rap but trust me, they have come a long way. My electric bank for heat coupled with the heat pump keeps it a comfy temp and doesn't cost much.
Then again, there are NO air leaks anywhere in my home.
My dad taught me a long time ago about buying tools to get very good ones as they will last and you only buy them one time.
I did that.
Same principle holds true for things that comprise your house.
That is where the research for your biggest air leaks comes in and the most efficient way to heat and coll your home. And then there is the methodology of installing those items.
I talked to MAJOR window contractors in Three cities across the United States. One was in Houston, one was in Chicago and another in Connecticut.
I asked very specific questions and they were happy to share their knowledge, which is where the Slow expanding foam comes from. NO AIR LEAKS around the perimeter of the window frames...
Just as important as no air penetrating through the frames AND the glass and keeping the cold outside. No thermal conductivity through the window frames either.
Anyway, the deep south does not experience the cold of the north in winter so you definitely are blessed in that regard.....
Hope you are feeling better each passing day Ribit.
Still praying for your recovery my friend.
micro... 
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