Hey Vance,
This is my first winter with 40,000 daughters so I haven't had a chance to refine the insulating concept. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the girls are doing all right. I am a little concerned that the hive foundation might have settled a little bit to the rear allowing moisture to run to the rear of the bottom board. Do you use insulating blankets on your hives?
BTW I am looking at my gas and water bill for 30 days (mid jan to mid feb) is $129.62 for a 1250 sqft house. ($59.33 for the gas, $20.96 transportation charge, $34.45 'fixed and variable' delivery charge and $14.91 tax to pay the interest on what the government spent in 1979)
I absolutely Love the U.S. prairie states and foothills. Have a great spring!
Dennis