by Sherine W.
Member since:
August 1, 2007

How Cold is Too Cold?

March 04, 2008 10:05 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 48
Our house has been cold lately. It has averaged between 63 degrees and 66 degrees, rarely getting any warmer, and usually hovering around 64 degrees. Why, might you ask, are we letting our house get so cold? The answer is, we are cheap, or politely put, we are frugal.

We usually heat our entire house with the woodstove in our basement. It has kept us warm most of the winter, but now we are out of wood. I don't want to go out and buy wood, because our cold weather is almost over, and we have plenty of wood seasoning that will be ready to use next year.

We do have an oil furnace, but we haven't had to buy any oil for over three years because of the wood stove. We only have a little oil left, and with the price of oil being what it is right now, I am too cheap, or again, frugal to buy any right now. It is always cheaper to buy a minimum of 200 gallons, but at the rate we have been going through oil, it would take us about ten years to use it all. Plus, the prices typically decrease after the cold weather is over, so if I'm going to spend a small fortune on oil, I'd rather wait until I can save a little bit.

Now, back to the original question in the title of this article...how cold is too cold? Should I maintain my frugal stance and be cold for a few more weeks, or should I give in and purchase some oil or buy a cord of wood when we already have a few cords of free wood ready to be used next year? For now I am wearing heavy sweaters, which isn't so bad, but I am tired of being a little on the chilly side. And I don't want my husband or children to find me frozen to my computer chair! So, how cold do you think is TOO COLD?

Comments: 48 ( 1 removed by Sherine W. )

B F. Mar 4, 2008, 10:08pm UTC
I feel bad now as our heater is set at 75, because I am frugal and that is the lowest temperature I can stand-layers, blankets, and all...
Vivian P. Mar 4, 2008, 10:08pm UTC
I keep my house about the same as you I love to sleep in a cool room
As long as you are not freezing cold, you should be fine. I would not recommend dropping lower than what you are maintaining now, but you should be fine. If there are young children (3 and under), maybe knock it up a notch or two.

Wear socks around the house, and slippers if you have them, and keep pants and a long sleeved shirt or sweatshirt on, and you likely won't notice it as Spring arrives.
B F- don't feel bad! We live in a poorly insulated, poorly circulated apartment. Now, thankfully, the complex pays for the heat, but in order to keep the kids bedrooms at even 70 degrees, we have to have the heater cranked into the 80's. The living room and our bedroom seem to be the only two rooms that hold the heat. We usually have to have the living room slider open a bit, but if we lower the heat, it's frigid in the kids rooms.

If I had to pay heat, I'd be on the phone daily with the complex until they reinsulated, and figured out just why the heat doesn't blow good into the kids rooms.
*Holly *. Mar 4, 2008, 10:16pm UTC
I keep my house at 68 all year round and sleep with a fan. I have to have it cool!
Phyllis R. Mar 4, 2008, 10:16pm UTC
I like my bedroom much cooler at night, - I made up my mind several years ago as long as I could afford it I was going to be comfortable in my home! (Years ago when I worked in our old county courthouse, I froze to death in the winter...no heat, - I heated to death in the summer...no air)!! My home..my castle, - I want to be as comfortable as possible!!

BTW, the A/C is on at this moment, - almost 70 degrees here in SC!!!!
Phyllis R. Mar 4, 2008, 10:17pm UTC
BTW, haven't seen you around much lately, hope all is well!
Elaine A. Mar 4, 2008, 10:20pm UTC
I am in South Florida - it is warm again (they say we will cool off for the weekend). I have the house temperature at 75 becaue my husband is always hot. It is 77 with 76 % humidity now, tomorrow will warm to 80's.

I like it cool.
For you as long as your comfortable, it is fine
Carla B. Mar 4, 2008, 10:30pm UTC
We leave our heat set at 70 or higher, but we have a 2 year old. He tends to get up in the middle of night all hot, and take off his pants and then go back to sleep, without his covers on. Of course he then wakes up cold if we turn it down below 70.
Matt Clark Mar 4, 2008, 10:46pm UTC
If your nose isn't runny and you aren't getting sick, it's not too cold :)
V S. Mar 5, 2008, 10:16am UTC
We have an old foursquare house and we keep our propane furnace set at about 65. It usually varies between 63 and 68 in the house. We also have 2 SunHeat electric heaters (my son sells them) and they help keep the propane furnace from running as much. We are usually a little chilly but are trying to keep the costs down. We wear sweatshirts and keep our socks and/or shoes on. The kids have a fleece throw blanket that they can use if they like (usually it's clipped around their necks with a clothespin as they play Superman/Batman)!!

We used to have a wood/propane furnace 15 years ago and I loved the wood heat - but it became very hard to get wood around here, so when the furnace went bad we replaced it with just propane.
V S. Mar 5, 2008, 10:16am UTC
We also have a thermostat that automatically adjusts so it is cooler in the house at night and warms up about 15 min. before we get up.
Vicky P. Mar 5, 2008, 10:45am UTC
Anything below 50 is too cold. Don't buy anything, warmer weather is around the corner.
Margaret G. Mar 5, 2008, 11:16am UTC
We keep it at 66 during the day and 60 at night. I only turn it up if it is extremely cold.
Denise B. Mar 5, 2008, 11:44am UTC
I keep out house at 68 all winter, sometimes 65 if things are really tight, but everyone has to wear longsleeves and slippers
The Fine Art of C.C. Miranda Mar 5, 2008, 11:59am UTC
i can't handle being cold. it's 71 in my house right now and my fingers are cold. i've been told i should lower the temp to save money, but if i'm miserable, what good is that?
Priscilla P. Mar 5, 2008, 12:26pm UTC
I find anything below 68 too cold for comfort--even with a sweater
Heather W. Mar 5, 2008, 12:28pm UTC
I hate having it below 68, but that's just me.
Nancy S. Mar 5, 2008, 12:57pm UTC
I keep mine at 68 most of the time but my vent is closed in the bedroom cause I like it cooler. I turn it up to 72 every other weekend cause the kids are here.
Elaine B. Mar 5, 2008, 12:58pm UTC
I also find that 68 and below is too cold for me.
Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Mar 5, 2008, 1:17pm UTC
I was told 65 - 68 was a cold as you should go - to keep, if noting else, your pipes from freezing.

Thanks for posting this to Best Original Photos, Art and Writing for 2008.
Cristina S. Mar 5, 2008, 1:39pm UTC
64 would be on the chilly side for me - but if you are warm with the extra clothes - sounds OK
donna h. Mar 5, 2008, 1:40pm UTC
We have been keeping ours about 65-68
David The Nighthawk B. Mar 5, 2008, 2:52pm UTC
I believe absolute zero is too cold ;)

Until then, coats lol :D
Theresa Chaze Mar 5, 2008, 3:06pm UTC
It depends on your comfort zone. Electric heaters are good temporary solution, but they really do raise you electric bill.
Marie J. R. Mar 5, 2008, 3:56pm UTC
I need 70, I freeze at temps lower,,, if you can go a little longer at the rate you have been,,,then,,,fine,,,But,,, if you worry about someone getting a cold,,, that cost would be worse then frugal,,,Bless you my dear,,, I live in the Desert,,,
LaRue B. Mar 5, 2008, 5:16pm UTC
other than the fact fuel costs are so high, I can take the cold better than the heat. But, of course when it gets to hot, then you pay more electric.
layer your clothes and watch tv with a blanket.
Leah Christensen Mar 5, 2008, 9:32pm UTC
I live in a basement apartment and during cold Canadian winters, my apartment always feels like that. I just dress warmer, since the clothes have already been paid for. I don't feel like paying for electric heat.
Jill D. Mar 6, 2008, 6:44am UTC
I keep our house around 66-68 because it is a big old drafty thing and we have natural gas. I dress in layers and keep a small heater fan in the bathroom so it is more comfortable in there for bathing and other needs (I hate sitting on cold porcelain)! Since we have bare wood floors for now, I put a heating pad under the desk for my feet when I am using the computer. Personally, as long as my feet are warm, I am OK! I can understand trying to economize. I guess if you get uncomfortably chilled, then it is too cold!
Jill D. Mar 6, 2008, 6:47am UTC
And you folks who have your AC on--I don't want to hear about it!
When my hands start getting cold. Than it is time to kick up the heat. Frugal or cheap, whichever you prefer. I refuse to freeze or allow my kid sto freeze and possibly catch cold or get sick. The price I pay for heat is alot less than the doctor bills in the long run.
Bert Van Essen Mar 6, 2008, 8:24am UTC
When I was in high school we lived in a house so cold the wash rag froze to the wall! I have a well insulated house and I keep it cool. I am only home in the morning and evening. I keep it about 65 and when I watch TV I have this nice warm soft throw that keeps me warm and the cat likes it too! The cost of fuel can easily destroy a budget. Remember after the 73 oil embargo congress said we would rid ourselves of foreign oil dependence? Well they had 35 years and now we are in the same place. Shame on congress!
Lacey K. Mar 6, 2008, 11:37am UTC
Hey, throw on a sweater and call it good!
Sarah (I want points) Mar 6, 2008, 1:59pm UTC
That seems pretty cold to me, but your reasoning makes sense.
Karen B. Mar 6, 2008, 9:42pm UTC
to cold in my room is 55
Bert Van Essen Mar 7, 2008, 8:28am UTC
I used to burn pallets I found around buysinesses and dumpsters. They are dry-usually made of a hard wood and easy to cut up.
Curt L. Mar 7, 2008, 2:15pm UTC
I enjoy cool indoor temps and cold outdoor temps. Your house temps sound lovely!
Mariah H. Coruth Mar 8, 2008, 7:48pm UTC
I agree with Adele. Before we moved we had a furnace and I kept it at the temp you did Sherine. When my kids (11 and 14) complained I told them to wear a sweatshirt. Then we moved and now we have a wood stove.
elaine laflamme Mar 14, 2008, 11:41pm UTC
I hate cold,and I hate it too hot . I close my door at night and keep my vent closed. I prefer to snuggle in blankets
Nyota *Star* Mar 15, 2008, 10:52pm UTC
good article. I would think below 70 as cold in a house. but then my knees are bad.
Randall C. Mar 18, 2008, 7:39pm UTC
I guess that it's all what you are used to., I prefer to have it a little warmer than that, and don't like to wear more clothes than needed
Barbara B. Apr 19, 2008, 9:36pm UTC
I keep my thermostat at 70 but been turning it down when it gets
really warm inside. My heat is included but I still try to save. I do
have an AC which I run from July through to September but we are
charged $20 dollars a month for usage.
necee t. Apr 19, 2008, 10:21pm UTC
i just use lots and lots of blankets when it's cold... but it's only cold in Florida for a couple of months.... february and march...

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version , "Zach"; Copyright © 2012 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.