Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

shill — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:36:55 GMT

We have a bonus room. You can feel the heat sitting at the top of the stairs. Do you open the door to let the heat into the bonus room to prevent the heat from running up there, or do I keep the door closed? Which is smarter?

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

Skull Valley Scoop — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:47:23 GMT

An unzipped sleeping bag(much cheaper & warmer than down) over flannel sheets-no heat needed.

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

csmith — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:24:58 GMT

FYI Our doctor mentioned to us that since we have an elderly family member and young children in our home, the heat should not be set lower than 65 at night. He stated that temps lower than that stress the hearts of the very young and the elderly. Thought I would mention in case anyone was interested.

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

Warm in Wisconsin Winter — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:45:47 GMT

For the last 5 years, my wife and I have used a natural gas fired wood stove lookalike to heat the lower level family-room in our Wisconsin bi-level home. Our programmable thermostat (set at 60 while we are at work) is set to warm the the house up to 70, just before we get home, light the gas "wood" stove and have dinner. During dinner the t-stat goes back to 60. After dinner we retire to the family room, close the doors to the upper level, and enjoy the TV, the fire in the stove, and the lower 70's. The heat on the lower level ceiling warms the upper level just enough that the furnace rarely cycle on. Yes, I know the "wood-gas " stove is less efficient than my 92 % furnace, but heating only the bottom half of my house and using the upper half as an extra layer of insulation has lowered our heating bill by about 30%. We're not freezing and because our bedroom is in the lower level, the 300lb. stove (made of soapstone and cast iron) radiates heat 'til 2-3 AM and makes those early morning "Nature Calls" more bearable.

Works for us. May or may not work for you.

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

Bluegill — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:04:31 GMT

Since hats come off or get ridiculously skewed on my head when I sleep, I wear a hooded sweatshirt to bed. * I don't think it's good to sleep in an electrical field all night, but I do turn on a heated mattress pad when I start to get ready for bed, then turn it off when I get in. Toasty! * Flannel pj bottoms under fleece athletic pants (or jeans) are really comfy.

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

joe bodnar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:34:37 GMT

the dryer vented inside,i believe that u get lint blowing around here with this this is not pure air,yea do a lot of baking that helps and gives purpose ,also try the new electric heaters very economical

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

Minnesota girl — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:02:45 GMT

Two Words: DOWN VEST: This will warm you up in a hurry and keep you totally warm. You will even look cuter than wearing a jacket and hat. If you keep your house cool, this is a must have item of clothing. Another two words: NATURAL FIBERS: including such things as WOOL SOCKS: These warm up your feet if they are damp and keep them warm at all times and SILK UNDERWEAR: Wear a silk t-shirt under anything and stay warm silk underwear is also a terrific insulator and feels good. The other thing we do is go out for a walk before bedtime. We bundle up and go outside most nights for exercise. The side benefit is that no matter how cold your house is, your body metabolism keeps you feeling warm and you can go to bed with warm feet and hands.

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

Nic — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:26:41 GMT

I think my biggest waster is the outlets on the outside walls. I cannot believe how much cold air comes through. I have put the foam covers on the inside, bu the cold air just comes out of the holes in the sockets. Any better ideas? I am thinking about the baby-proof plugs as a solution.

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

Victoria — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:37:07 GMT

I have a lower than normal body temperature and find it hard to have the temp below 70 during the day, despite layering clothing, drinking hot beverages, and fingerless gloves;

I found that taking cayenne capsules revved up my body metabolism/temperature to where I was the one who was hot while my family was freezing if the house was 65 degrees.

The only downside is that it can kick up an ulcer (not h. pylori related) so had to quit it, but if your stomach can take it, it really does make a difference. Also helps to guard against the flu and colds in winter of course, an extra benefit!

Final solution- if possible of course- is to move to a climate where little heat or air conditioning is needed... which we actually just did.

re: Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house

partscot — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:45:21 GMT

I have cholinergic urticaria, so am literaslly allergic to cold, but some ideas work: My dog, a cocker spaniel makes a great heating pad! Keeping the doors of usused rooms shut, and the door to the laundry room ,which is between the garage and the family room, ditto makes a huge difference. Also suggest urtains w/insulating liners on northfacing windows or sliders...