Can we revisit the heating issue again?

[Broken Arrow]

don't know why perky's post got me thinking of the matrix, but it did! remember the part where they talk about how much heat/energy the human body puts out?

Ooh, that reminds me of some very interesting discussions I've read online about this. I can't recall the details, but some propellerheads have made some computations and determined that the average human body doesn't generate enough heat to justify the cost of feeding and containing us. Not especially when compared to geothermal energy or maybe even hydrothermal energy.

The only way it would justify subjugating us would be if we served some use that can not be provided by any other means. However, if there was a reason for it, it was not made clear in neither the Trilogy nor the Animatrix series (Yes, I've seen them all. ). In other words, the most logical, cold, machine logic should have been to wipe us into extinction.... but I'm glad they didn't think of that.

do you have a sleeping bag? maybe try sleeping in that...

Yes, that and more clothing is the most pragmatic and obvious answer. And believe me, I've actually tried! The trouble is that all that clothing would also trap all my body sweat, and I end up feeling nasty and itchy. Worse yet, when any air hits my skin, it would send a wave of chill.

You have to understand that I am a very light sleeper, and the itch alone is sometimes enough to wake me back up.

However, if there is a way to introduce adequate heat while still provide proper ventilation, I think that would solve the problem!

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

However, if there is a way to introduce adequate heat while still provide proper ventilation, I think that would solve the problem!

if it's just an issue when you sleep, then try a heated mattress pad. i swear by mine, and my folks are the same (except they swear by there's, of course!). i turn it on about 30 min before going to bed so the sheets and cover are already nice and toasty. highest i've turned mine up is mid-way, when it was 24 outside. even then it was almost too warm...

we've used ours on low just about every night for a month now, and my electric bill went up $8. it has adjustable heat seatings and automatically turns off after 10 hours. some are designed with extra coils at the foot of the bed to keep your toes extra toasty!

if you don't like it, you should be able to take it back no issues. FYI, i got this one at Target, got my first one at Walmart.

[Broken Arrow]

Well, that sounds like a good starting point, before I start pitching tents. I'll look into that tonight. Thanks!

[creditcardfree]

My dad wears a stocking hat to bed. They keep their temps low at night and he's balding...so it works for him!

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by threebeansalad

Someone told me that by turning the heat all the way down to 55, we're using more oil (our heat source) to bring it back up to 65 and that we should not turn it down anymore than 5 degrees. Is there any validity to this?

This is absolutely, unequivocally false, but is a very common myth. I don't have time to give the long-winded explanation, but suffice it to say that any time the heater is not running, you aren't using oil. So the longer you maintain the temp at a higher temperature (60 in your example), the more oil you will use (or gas or electric or whatever your heat source is). It just isn't possible to not save money and energy by running your heater less compared to more.

[pearlieq]

Have you done everything you can to keep heat in and drafts out?

I don't know how old the house is or what shape it's in, but you can buy those plastic window sealing kits at Walmart. Those keep window drafts out well. That, a tube of caulk, and a can of Great Stuff can make sure that all cracks and gaps are sealed tight and not leaking heat.

You can also buy a jacket for your water heater and foam insulation for your pipes. That helps keep them from losing heat and helps protect them from lower temperatures.

Your gas or electric company may even provide a free energy audit where they walk around your home and show you ways to make it more efficient.

All in all, a $100 gas bill isn't too bad. We just got socked with about $120 and I think that's about as low as we're going to be able to get it for the winter.

[banana]

Last year I supplemented my oil heat with electric oil filled space heaters. I used a lot less oil and my electric bill didnt jump that high.

[Broken Arrow]

Okay, I just finished up a small shopping spree.

* I found some kind of "athletic fleece" hoodie and pants that are very comfortable and much thicker than I have been wearing when going to bed. They were 50% off, and I'm tempted to get another set.

* I got a window insulating kit. I'll be putting it up this weekend.

* I got an electric blanket. It doesn't seem to feel very warm though. Is that normal?

* Finally, I also got a oil-filled space heater.

My current thinking is to keep central heating on, but to leave the thermostat at 55. Then, I would keep warm with the stuff I listed above, which costed me $110. However, if this works, I'm hoping to break even in less than 2 months of savings on the gas bill.

[Ima saver]

I agree with disney steve. Keep your temp. as low as you can when you are gone. It does not take extra to warm the house up.
Also, do not consider getting an electrical heat pump. We advise everyone against it. 2 customers insisted and dh put them into their custom homes. They have both since removed the heat pump and are heating with propane gas now.

[AmberW]

I disagree with Ima Saver. It DOES take extra to warm a place up when you turn your thermastat way down. All of the furniture and such ends up at a low temperature, so after you warm the air the first time, it drops down quickly again because all the stuff in your house is cold and needs to warm up again. Like when it snows out early in the winter but melts right away b/c it takes a while for the ground to lose all of its extra warmth.

Not that the savings aren't worth the extra degrees. I do't know. But it does take your heater a little extra time to really warm the house back up.

Anyways, one of the big items for gas/electric after heating is the water heater. If your house is cold it is going to take more to keep the water hot. You can get an insulator blanket for your water heater for about $18. Also, the lower you can stand to keep it the better.

The insulator blanket is one of the 5 easy things you can do to help the fight against global warming. I think all the frugal members here are probably already doing lots to save electricity/gas and therefore the environment. (It's one of my "things" the environment)

For all 5 things you can look at http://greenrealism.blogspot.com/

[Ima saver]

Well it does take extra, but you have saved more by not letting your heat run for hours at a higher temp. I keep my hot water heater turned off 23 hours a day. All day and night if we are gone on a trip.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by AmberW

But it does take your heater a little extra time to really warm the house back up.

Yes, it does take extra TIME but it doesn't cost extra money or use extra energy. You will save both energy and money by turning down the temp. The time issue is why it is best to get a programmable thermostat. That way you can have it programmed to go down while you're away and go up before you get home. Ours drops at 8:30 am and is back up at 3:30 pm, so the heat is off most of the work day.

[Ima saver]

right disney steve. I am home all day, so I don't need a timer, but that is a good idea. I turn my heat back up right before my husband gets home at night. so it is warmer when he showers. I like the home cold when i sleep.