How Cold Before You Put On Heat ?

[Nyboy]

We have been having a very warm fall. Last night it went into the 40s I broke down and turned on heat. When do you start heating your home ?

 

[catjac1975]

We have been having a very warm fall. Last night it went into the 40s I broke down and turned on heat. When do you start heating your home ?

Before ice form in the kitchen sink.

 

[Carol Dee]

I am with Cat. I will put on layers and even wear a jacket or sit under blankets before I turn on the heat! LOL ....just because I am cheap and hate utility bill

 

[catjac1975]

I am with Cat. I will put on layers and even wear a jacket or sit under blankets before I turn on the heat! LOL ....just because I am cheap and hate utility bill

I have a bean bag wrap that you heat in the microwave. When I get too chilled I can get my warmth started with the wrap. Have some for my feet too. If my feet are warm the rest of me feels good.

 

[Smart Red]

I just might turn on the electric mattress cover before I turn on the heat. It depends more on expected daytime temps than an occasional cool night. My house is extremely well insulated so several days of highs at 40 are needed for the house to cool down. Night temps do very little if the days stay beautiful and sunny.

When the house temp drops to 60ish and I can't get the temp back up during the day using the sun's heat, I probably would consider turning the geothermal from cool to heat.

 

[catjac1975]

I just might turn on the electric mattress cover before I turn on the heat. It depends more on expected daytime temps than an occasional cool night. My house is extremely well insulated so several days of highs at 40 are needed for the house to cool down. Night temps do very little if the days stay beautiful and sunny.

When the house temp drops to 60ish and I can't get the temp back up during the day using the sun's heat, I probably would consider turning the geothermal from cool to heat.

How is that geo thermal doing for you? Is it efficient and low cost? Did it cost a fortune to install??

 

[Smart Red]

Half a fortune to install, but the furnace was toast and we needed something asap. Yes, it has been efficient and low cost to opperate both winter and summer.

We were able to take advantage of government energy assistance of nearly one third of the cost and with the state and local tax breaks the end cost wasn't all that terrible.

There are several ways to install geothermal. We ended up with five deep wells that recirculate ground water and, as a bonus, heat water for showers and clothes washing.

 

[Smart Red]

I think I took $25,000 out of my TSA to pay for it.

 

[catjac1975]

I think I took $25,000 out of my TSA to pay for it.

Was that the whole cost? What is the back up heat? Do I understand this correctly? The water is 40 or so degrees to start and then you have to heat it up from there? Electricity? Gas? Our electricity costs are the highest in the country.

 

[thistlebloom]

We fired up the wood stove 3 or so weeks ago when the daytime temps were in the 50's. Then it got hot again and all the windows flew open once more. Now it's cooled off again. Felt like it could snow this afternoon when I got home. Probably no more heat waves in store for us.
I walked in the door and my wonderful husband had a fire crackling in the stove. My favorite thing to come home to after working outside all day. Second only to my husband of course, haha.

So to finally answer the question, we get the heat going when the outside air is chilly and there is no sun to shine in the windows and warm the house. If it's 65 or less inside, I definitely build a fire.
I do not like a cold house.