Challenge: Keep the furnace off

So how did my "Keep the furnace off until November 1" challenge go? Well, it is now November and I can turn on the furnace if I want, but with temperatures predicted in the 50s and 60s for the next five days, I am keeping it off. However, it was not easy to keep my eye on the cold challenge because there were about four days in a row where there was moderate to no sun and temperatures with highs in the 50s and lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.

While I succeeded in keeping the furnace off, I did use some supplemental heating to help me to get through the colder evenings and mornings. I turned on my oil-filled radiator three mornings in the bedroom and two evenings in the living room. I also added my electric blanket on top of my bed, turning that on before I went to bed to warm it up. I am not sure how this will be reflected in my electric bill, but it is likely a wash between the decrease in my dehumidifiers running and the draw from the electric heaters.

Regardless of this supplemental heating, the coldest morning was 53 degrees Fahrenheit. For five days, I did not get above 60 degrees. I rediscovered the joys of snuggling under my covers, wearing a bath robe and having a blanket across my lap. Sometimes regardless of measures, I was cold, but I held out for November 1 and succeeded. Since the temperature is more reasonable right now (63 degrees), I plan on holding off turning on my furnace for another five or six days. Snow is predicted for the end of the week, but none of the lows will hit freezing. I will give an update when I actually turn on my natural gas furnace.

Challenge: Hold off turning on the furnace

This morning, my thermostat read 59 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a bit chilly in the house especially in my short-sleeved nightgown that leaves my legs uncovered. However, I am determined to hold off turning on my heat until November 1. How will I do this?

Use solar gain.
My only large tree, a green ash, no longer has leaves. That means all sides of the house are hit by sun--when it is in the sky. If I leave the curtains open on sunny days, I can gain from 3-7 degrees of heat in the house, all without turning on the furnace. The drawback is if there is no sun, there is little heat gain.

Cook and bake, baby, cook and bake.
Here is where cooking from scratch becomes a blessing. The more the stove is used for cooking potatoes or baking bread or pizza, the more warmth is added to the house. After baking was finished, my grandmother would leave the oven door open to let the heat escape into the house. I just let the heat move up the stove vent, but her idea will release the heat faster. If bread or boiling potatoes are not your thing, try cookies or simple items like grilled cheese sandwiches or pancakes. My cast iron pan holds heat well and will radiate into the room.

Love your blankie.
I am not ready to break out the down comforter (waiting until November 1 for that as well). However throwing an extra quilt or blanket on top of the bed will help retain some heat while sleeping. I have been quite comfortable in my bed for the past few nights with just a lap-size quilt I made on top of the "summer" bed quilt and over the portion of the bed I sleep. When sitting in other rooms of the house, I have a blanket over my lap. If it is chilly enough (and I am wearing short sleeves), a sweater or bath robe will help retain more heat.

Give some physical affection.
Get all cuddly with a child, pet or partner. Sharing body heat is very nice when there is a chill in the air and being with someone you love is always a nice bonus.

So consider delaying turning on the furnace as long as you can. My goal is November 1. This will save money, natural gas and electricity since I am also hoping to avoid using my electric oil-filled radiator. Cooking and baking will increase the electric bill if you normally do not cook or bake, but they have great rewards for your tummy. I can only look on with awe since my stylist is planning on not turning on his heat until November 15. If you take the challenge, what is your furnace turn on date?

Strategies for keeping warm without breaking the bank

I try to be frugal with my money and minimize the heaviness of my tread on the earth. This involves saving water in the shower and the washer, recycling, reusing, buying secondhand and composting what I can. However, I live in the Midwest and that can involve high costs in the winter due to heating. I will outline my techniques for keeping warm and not overtaxing my checkbook.

Keep the thermostat low. For me, a setting of 64 degrees Farenheit when I am home is sufficient for warmth. I know people who keep it warmer and those who keep it colder, but this is the most comfortable conservative setting for me.
Use a programmable thermostat. When I am not home, the house does not have to be kept warm. I love my cats but they have a nice fur coat and can survive lower temperatures without adverse effects. When I am gone or sleeping at night, my programmable thermostat lowers the temperature to 55 or 56 degrees F. In the morning, it kindly rises to 64 so I can shower in relative comfort. When I come home after work, the thermostat brings up the temperature to 64 from the daytime low and keeps it there until bedtime.
Put on a sweater or a blanket. This is simple but really adds to the comfort. If the thermostat is going to be lower and I generally am reading or using my laptop, I need some extra layers to keep warm. I have a blanket handy to put over my lap and always wear my bathrobe in the morning. I was stunned one day last winter when I saw I man in shorts outside letting the dog out. Wearing shorts in winter is ridiculous. Wearing sweaters is practical and increases comfort.
Insulate the windows. I have single pane windows and energy efficient they are not. Therefore, I apply plastic film to the inside of the windows every winter. It gives another layer of insulation to keep the room warmer and is likely to cut down on drafts. I have thrermodrapes in my living room and Roman shades in my bedroom. I purchased these to help increase energy efficiency and they are working well. The other windows have blinds that came with the house and there is definitely more air infiltration. Consider throwing a blanket over the window to keep heat in and cold out. The more layers insulating the warm room from the cold air, the better.
Use a down comforter and an electric blanket for the bed. My down comforter has been wonderful with cold weather, but my skin did not like the cold bed linens when first climbing into bed. The down comforter kept me warm all night and made lowering the thermostat worth it. The drawback during the cold months is it took half a minute to get to warmed up under the covers. I purchased an electric blanket off craigslist and for those single digit nights, it is a wonderful asset. Plus having a blanket and down comforter on the bed is quite toasty without the electric heat. The electric blanket targets the heat where I want it and warms the bed so I do not shiver under the covers.
Use supplementary heat judiciously. I purchased two oil-filled electric heaters from craigslist, a running theme in my life. The one in my living room is usually dormant, but sometimes, the lap blanket is not quite enough. I use the electric radiator to supplement the heat in the room I am in, and it is enough to take the edge off the cold. I rarely use the radiator to keep costs down but occasional use does not perturb my electric bill.
Wear slippers. I wear slippers even with socks. One reason is I like to keep my socks clean. The other is to keep my feet warm. If my feet are warm, I feel warmer overall. Any extra insulation on my feet can only be good. Plus it saves wear on shoes and that can save money.

Consider using any of these ideas to help keep a bit warmer this winter. Small steps can only help and reducing your fuel consumption to heat the house is a frugal measure and living a bit greener.