When do you plan to turn on the heat?

[Fern]

I haven't done so yet, and hope to hold out well into October if the warm weather continues.

[34saving]

I hoping for the end of October, but considering Wednesday's HIGH is 49 . . . I guess we'll find out how energy efficient the house really is . . .

[PennyPincher]

I hope for the end of November. It is a little warmer here in VA, and I push it as long as possible. We have skylights and lots of windows to let heat in during the day. And we don't mind it cool. We don't have children to worry about either though. But we have plenty of blankets!!!

After my electric bills for AC this summer, I'll want to get at least a month or two where it's almost free to have a comfortable temp inside the house!

[Lori63]

I try to put it off as long as possible, but I hate being cold. It's been in the 80s this week (not Fall weather for this area!), but it's supposed to be cooling off.

[frugalfarmwife]

As absolutely late in the year as possible! We don't have AC so the electric bill is low during the summer, but with this drafty ol farm house the gas and electric tend to shoot through the roof!

We don't have kids and have several big dogs to help keep us warm so we keep the heat around 58-60 degrrees max.

KJ

[mom-from-missouri]

When the inside temp drops below 69. My house is pretty well insulated and air tight, so I can turn the heat pump(s) on, warm it up, then turn them back off, and it will stay warm. (I have one heatpump for downstairs, and one for upstairs. But, I also heat some with wood. I have a fireplace in the kitchen, and one in the master bedroom. It it is just a little chilly and not too long before bedtime, we can get by with lighting the fire in the kitchen, and popping popcorn-warms everyone up!

[MrsChambers]

hate to say it... but we already have!

we had a cold spell... what can you do?

I think it's gonna be a NASTY winter.... We need to stock up on Lamp-oil!

[sweeps]

Same here. Now that I have a baby in the house, I can't let it drop to 60 degrees any more. Unfortunately gas prices are going up about 70% this year too.

[PRICEPLUS]

Well I can't let the tempature drop below 62F. I intend to keep lights off as much as possible. THe wife and I will have to be creative with gas use.

I hope the winter will not be brutal but you can be sure that it will be so!

[niki_the_tiger]

Last year our tenants started using heat in August. Thankfully this year we've had a warm spell. I think our tenants started using heat (we pay for it) last month but for our side we will hold off as long as possible. I said December 31st hehe but we live in Northern Vermont so I'm sure within the next few weeks we'll have to use it.

Usually we tell everyone we have 8 months of winter up this way, but this week we're having 80s temperature! Breaking records, that's for sure!! Wow! I love it! This weekend though its supposed to drop down to 50s for a high and 39 for a low.

[baselle]

We try not to until late October. In Seattle 30 degrees is considered cold, but with the wet it really accentuates the cold. We aim for dry and that can buy you a couple extra weeks.

[PrincessPerky]

I am giggling in my seat, around here I am proud of NOT having the AIR on .

I expect the heat to be needed in November maybe parts of October, but I am going to try not to be lazy and just turn it on and leave it on for the year, (like last year) I hope to keep watching the weather we have lots of ups and downs around here.

[cicy33]

my dh has already turned the heat on and it is not necessary in my opinion! But he says it is a thermostat, if it doesn't drop that low it won't kick on, why o why does he torture me. I say if the outside temp during the day is above 70 then the house is above 80 and the night temp is going to be around 60 then it will not drop below 65 at night. LEAVE THE HEAT OFF. oh well, I just turn it off when he isn't looking! lol lol

[dealsaver]

When the inside of my home reaches 60 degrees. I tried 55 degrees a few years ago and the paint cracked.

[BillsGirl]

how about when do I stop running the a/c?

[niki_the_tiger]

We'll start by using an electric heater before using the oil heater. Soon, I think, it's starting to get really cold out!

[marglo]

We have had it on already a few times but not very often. Our auto thermostat is set for 70 degrees. This is fine for most of the house, but the family room (where we watch TV in the evenings) is very drafty. We cuddle up in blankets, but I am sure as winter really comes on my dh is going to insist on setting the thermostat to 71 or 72 or even 74 (in Jan/feb) in the evenings to combat this problem. We have tried insulation etc. but nothing seems to keep that family room warm enough.

[Tree0164]

It has been warm here in Boston. I am hoping the first time will be in mid November. Lots of sweaters this year.

[BAGAGT1]

So far I have not had the need to turn on the heat, actually turn on the A/C yesterday, as the house was in the 80's when I walked it from work. I'm hoping to get thru October without having to turn on the heat.

[kathysq]

I'm trying to hold off until November. My office is not insulated well and there's an outside door, so I may get a small electric heater for it and close it off from the rest of the house.