How do you keep warm in winter?

[Michael Z]

We burn wood in a free standing fireplace all winter which heats the whole house to 65F down to about 15F. My oldest daughter so loves that fireplace in our basement family room and will insist on a fire when she is visiting, even before it gets very cold!

In the fall, I will turn up the heat in the morning and then turn it back down to about 63F for most of the rest of the day. We like it cool at bedtime so that works for us. And we have throw blankets at hand as needed! And I wear a hoodie all day.

We go through about 400 gallons of propane a year for heat. Our average low temp in January is 5F.

 

[jimintoronto]

We live in solid brick two story house in west Toronto that was built in 1907. Over the years it has been renovated a number of times to upgrade the wiring, the plumbing and the insulation density. We heat with a natural gas furnace, and a gas water heater, and a gas central air conditioner system. Using natural gas means that we are less affected when the electric power supply goes out, usually because of a winter freezing rain storm that downs the power lines. We set the thermostat for 21 C ( 72 F ) year round. We change the furnace filter every month year round.

Jimb.

 

[old medic]

We are rebuilding what will be our forever home. 960 SqFt, 2 Bedroom, 1 bath, open kitchen/great room. We had someone come in and sealed and spray foam insulation. The place is now like ice chest cooler. We have a fireplace insert that heats the place fantastic. But we are going to add mini splits for regular heat and AC. A 12000 BTU in each bedroom, a 24000 in the great room. We also insulated between the rooms, so we can control the temps independently.

 

[Colleen]

When we moved from AZ back to PA in Feb. 2022, this house was in need of some major renovating. One of the projects we had done, besides a whole new kitchen and main bathroom upstairs, was getting all new windows installed....all 19 of them!

This house was built in 1969 and the owner built it himself. He used anything he could get for free and that included windows. They didn't shut completely and they didn't open easily. They had the old crank out windows and they were drafty.

It was a big ticket item but it was necessary and it helped with heating bills. There's a new forced air furnace so it's very efficient. I keep the thermostat set at 69* and it's comfortable. I don't shut any doors, as suggested by the HVAC guys. Curtains are opened during the day to allow sun in to help warm the rooms.

I wear layers. Mostly sweatshirts and sweat pants around the house (NEVER away from home!) and socks in my slippers. It's not glamorous but at 77 I don't care about glamorous...haha

 

[jimintoronto]

When we moved from AZ back to PA in Feb. 2022, this house was in need of some major renovating. One of the projects we had done, besides a whole new kitchen and main bathroom upstairs, was getting all new windows installed....all 19 of them!

This house was built in 1969 and the owner built it himself. He used anything he could get for free and that included windows. They didn't shut completely and they didn't open easily. They had the old crank out windows and they were drafty.

It was a big ticket item but it was necessary and it helped with heating bills. There's a new forced air furnace so it's very efficient. I keep the thermostat set at 69* and it's comfortable. I don't shut any doors, as suggested by the HVAC guys. Curtains are opened during the day to allow sun in to help warm the rooms.

I wear layers. Mostly sweatshirts and sweat pants around the house (NEVER away from home!) and socks in my slippers. It's not glamorous but at 77 I don't care about glamorous...haha

Did you get any form of rebate on the window installation ? Here in Ontario, the Provincial Government has a rebate program of up to $5000 when you replace windows and or doors that are more energy efficient.

Link. ontario provincial rebate on replacement windows and doors ? - Bing

link. Greener Homes Grant - Ontario


Jimb.

 

[Colleen]

Did you get any form of rebate on the window installation ? Here in Ontario, the Provincial Government has a rebate program of up to $5000 when you replace windows and or doors that are more energy efficient.

Link. ontario provincial rebate on replacement windows and doors ? - Bing

link. Greener Homes Grant - Ontario


Jimb.

Just looked it up and there is a tax credit for 30% on windows and doors, not including the installation. That would be great, since we spent over $24,000 on these.

 

[Myrtle]

Here you go, @Colleen.

Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit | Internal Revenue Service

You can check for state credits and also your utility supplier may have energy improvement credits. Good luck!

 

[911]

That's a good summer day in this area. I set the timer for 3 hours in the morning and evening, and the thermostat at around 18C / 65F during the day and 60F at night. 73 would be too warm for a good nights sleep.

I think you people are more used to cold weather. I have friends in Wisconsin that think 50 degrees is a nice spring day. He told me he went to a football game (Packers) and the temp was -22F. -30, I think.

 

[fatboy]

my cat sleeps on my lap.and on my feet or legs when I'm in bed