random curiosity

[ratcreature]

It isn't all that cold here, but I dislike wearing socks indoors, and am not that fond of wearing layers constantly either, OTOH I'm not thrilled with huge heating bills and rather enjoy getting a little of my advance payments back. So winter is a time of constant compromise and dilemma. Also blankets. Unlike socks I don't mind using blankets. So now I'm wondering how cold (or comfortably warm) other people are at their place. (If it's summer right now where you are, just remember your last winter.)

Poll #9180 your winter heating: toasty warmth or extra sweater?

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 53

View Respondents

How much do you heat your place?

View Answers

I don't need to heat at all in my climate zone, it remains comfortable all winter.
0 (0.0%)

I don't (or can't) heat at all, and just tough out the cold with extra sweaters, socks, thermal underwear, blankets etc.
1 (1.9%)

I heat only some rooms, and these not quite as warm as I'd like to save energy/money, and use some extra sweaters, socks, thermal underwear, blankets etc. when necessary.
14 (26.4%)

I heat only some rooms, but these are as warm as I like it.
8 (15.1%)

I heat all rooms when I use them, but not quite as warm as I'd like to save energy/money, and use some extra sweaters, socks, thermal underwear, blankets etc. when necessary.
9 (17.0%)

I heat all rooms comfortably when I use them, and only turn down the heat when I'm not there.
6 (11.3%)

I heat all rooms, but not quite as warm as I'd like to save energy/money, and use some extra sweaters, socks, thermal underwear, blankets etc. when necessary.
13 (24.5%)

I heat all my rooms as warm as like it. Saving some money/energy is not worth being uncomfortable at home.
1 (1.9%)

I heat all rooms as much as possible, but still need some extra sweaters, socks, thermal underwear, blankets etc., because winters are just that bad here.
1 (1.9%)

Comments

[bluemeridian]

Heh, this thread tells me I should point out by "single thermostat" I did indeed mean for a central furnace - run off 'fuel oil' (versus propane or gas) in our case. Ours is an inexpensive model from the mid-70's and thus does not have a filter.

Less common heating fuels, usually in rural areas, include newer corn and wood burning furnaces. Wood burning furnaces are reasonably cost effective if you have the access and physical ability to deal with the wood. Corn is not, really, given the volume required, but they've sold a lot under the auspices of renewable bio-fuel.

The 'smell' people are mentioning is the smell of hot/burning dust that you notice (usually) when you first turn the heat on for the season. If you lived in a mild climate where you only turn it on intermittently, you could smell it every time. Dust settles on the inner workings and when it's first turned on, the dust heats up, then the air blows the smell through the vents. After that, the dust doesn't have time to really gather again before the furnace kicks on again, so you don't smell it.