The Carter Challenge

gvidas · 10-04-2010, 05:40 PM

Or: How long can you go before turning the heat on?

Ideally, we could weight your date-of-first-turning-heat-on by plant zone, to account for regional differences. And clearly, there are some advantages to be had by people with new, well-insulated homes, and some disadvantages to living with young or old people, who may suffer more from unreasonably un-heated homes. My feet are kind of numb right now, but there's nobody else to whine about it.

I'm pretty sure I can make it at least to November before turning heat on.

xoxoxoBruce · 10-04-2010, 05:51 PM

I'm pretty sure you're a damn fool.

Why on earth would anyone want to be uncomfortable if they didn't have to?

Yznhymr · 10-04-2010, 05:55 PM

Zone 8, 11 year old home, wood frame windows (leaky), January & February only months I need heat. Wife & kids are a different story...they are ready for heat today.

Undertoad · 10-04-2010, 09:49 PM

Right now it's a case of letting the shades open on the big southern-facing window. The dog benefits.

Cloud · 10-04-2010, 09:53 PM

not to state the obvious, but -- it depends on the weather.

Halloween sometimes is still warm here, and others very cold. (Makes costume planning difficult!)

Also, I notice that in the beginning of the winter, I'm able to use the heat sparingly, but as the cold continues and wears me down, I use it more.

Juniper · 10-04-2010, 09:54 PM

I've got a fire going right now. Wood is free.

monster · 10-04-2010, 09:55 PM

WILl. NOT. GIVE. IN.

(stole the kids' socks this morning -to add to my own and my slippersocks)

classicman · 10-04-2010, 10:32 PM

my thermostat is automatic. When it goes above X, the A/C kicks on. When it goes below Y, the heat does. Right now its set at 55/75. I typically raise that 55 in December.

freshnesschronic · 10-05-2010, 01:46 AM

In college winters I turned on my heat when I was there and turned it off when I wasn't. In Illinois that makes it to just over freezing in your front room when you walk in. But saves some money on bills!

Oh back to the topic...yeah my family turns on heat just before Halloween pretty much because it's sub 40 everyday starting in 2 weeks from now.

glatt · 10-05-2010, 07:25 AM

We got the down comforters out last night. Heat's still not on, but the house is in the mid 60s in the morning without it. That's fine.

Shawnee123 · 10-05-2010, 07:34 AM

I don't mind it except in the morning.

However, my place was sweltering all summer so I think it's good to let it cool down from the inside out.

Plus, there was the gas bill that needed paid. Now I think they have to come out to check my furnace before reconnect. Sigh.

HungLikeJesus · 10-05-2010, 08:01 AM

Temperatures have been down near freezing at night here for at least the last month. The heat has come on at least twice already.

The temperature in this room is 62.2, but the only heat is coming from The Cellar.

Cloud · 10-05-2010, 09:08 AM

it sure will be nice to go to sleep without the a/c running and three fans on me.

if it happens.

BrianR · 10-05-2010, 09:43 AM

I am a regular Mr. Freeze. I have slept in a truck down to 30 deg F before turning on the heat. I 'like' things cold! This is due to a hyperactive thyroid. My poor wife is used to desert temperatures and prefers things more like 80 deg so I freeze her out all the time. Home heat won't go on until there's frost on the windows!

spudcon · 10-05-2010, 10:28 AM

This past winter I had the heat on a few times, the winter before, not at all. I'm like BrianR, but my thyroid's OK. No one knows why I feel warm, and my body temp is 97.

10-04-2010, 05:40 PM	#1
gvidas Hoodoo Guru Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 286	The Carter Challenge Or: How long can you go before turning the heat on? Ideally, we could weight your date-of-first-turning-heat-on by plant zone, to account for regional differences. And clearly, there are some advantages to be had by people with new, well-insulated homes, and some disadvantages to living with young or old people, who may suffer more from unreasonably un-heated homes. My feet are kind of numb right now, but there's nobody else to whine about it. I'm pretty sure I can make it at least to November before turning heat on.

10-04-2010, 05:51 PM	#2
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I'm pretty sure you're a damn fool. Why on earth would anyone want to be uncomfortable if they didn't have to? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

10-04-2010, 05:55 PM	#3
Yznhymr the crowd goes wild! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 663	Zone 8, 11 year old home, wood frame windows (leaky), January & February only months I need heat. Wife & kids are a different story...they are ready for heat today. __________________ "The pride system tends to intensify the self-hate against which it is supposed to be a defense, since any failure to live up to one's tyrannical shoulds or of the world to honor one's claims leads to feelings of worthlessness." Bernard J. Paris, Ph.D.

10-04-2010, 09:53 PM	#5
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	not to state the obvious, but -- it depends on the weather. Halloween sometimes is still warm here, and others very cold. (Makes costume planning difficult!) Also, I notice that in the beginning of the winter, I'm able to use the heat sparingly, but as the cold continues and wears me down, I use it more. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-04-2010, 09:55 PM	#7
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	WILl. NOT. GIVE. IN. (stole the kids' socks this morning -to add to my own and my slippersocks) __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-04-2010, 09:49 PM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Right now it's a case of letting the shades open on the big southern-facing window. The dog benefits.

10-04-2010, 09:54 PM	#6
Juniper I know, right? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,539	I've got a fire going right now. Wood is free.

10-04-2010, 10:32 PM	#8
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	my thermostat is automatic. When it goes above X, the A/C kicks on. When it goes below Y, the heat does. Right now its set at 55/75. I typically raise that 55 in December. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

10-05-2010, 01:46 AM	#9
freshnesschronic Professor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,555	In college winters I turned on my heat when I was there and turned it off when I wasn't. In Illinois that makes it to just over freezing in your front room when you walk in. But saves some money on bills! Oh back to the topic...yeah my family turns on heat just before Halloween pretty much because it's sub 40 everyday starting in 2 weeks from now.

10-05-2010, 07:25 AM	#10
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	We got the down comforters out last night. Heat's still not on, but the house is in the mid 60s in the morning without it. That's fine.

10-05-2010, 07:34 AM	#11
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I don't mind it except in the morning. However, my place was sweltering all summer so I think it's good to let it cool down from the inside out. Plus, there was the gas bill that needed paid. Now I think they have to come out to check my furnace before reconnect. Sigh. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

10-05-2010, 08:01 AM	#12
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Temperatures have been down near freezing at night here for at least the last month. The heat has come on at least twice already. The temperature in this room is 62.2, but the only heat is coming from The Cellar. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

10-05-2010, 09:08 AM	#13
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	it sure will be nice to go to sleep without the a/c running and three fans on me. if it happens. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-05-2010, 09:43 AM	#14
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	I am a regular Mr. Freeze. I have slept in a truck down to 30 deg F before turning on the heat. I 'like' things cold! This is due to a hyperactive thyroid. My poor wife is used to desert temperatures and prefers things more like 80 deg so I freeze her out all the time. Home heat won't go on until there's frost on the windows! __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

10-05-2010, 10:28 AM	#15
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	This past winter I had the heat on a few times, the winter before, not at all. I'm like BrianR, but my thyroid's OK. No one knows why I feel warm, and my body temp is 97. __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

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