Cider Press Hill

Toughening up

This morning when I woke up, I glanced at the upstairs thermometer and it said 62°. That’s about right where I want it. Very good.

Then, I came downstairs and the thermometer said 60°. Well, that’s pretty brisk. I still can’t keep the upstairs cooler than the downstairs unless the stove is cranking out heat. I can’t quite tell whether that’s because the downstairs is less insulated and losing heat through the windows or whether the heat eventually makes its way upstairs. Such as it is.

Since today is supposed to reach the mid-60s, I decided to forgo a small fire in the stove this morning. The downstairs temperature has only inched up to 61°, so far, and for some reason, I’m not cold. Of course, I’m also wearing a down vest, but hey. I’m comfortable and warm. That’s a few more sticks of wood saved for another time.

Two months ago, I’d have laughed to think I’d be any where near comfortable at 61°, regardless of what I was wearing. I seem to be adjusting.

Abbie isn’t, though. She has been quite aware that the upstairs has been cooler than the downstairs over the past couple of weeks. She doesn’t care for it very much. Instead of trotting upstairs with me at night, she gives me a sorrowful/apologetic look from her nest of blankets in her favorite chair. “Fair weather friend,” I say to her.

This morning, though, I told her she’d made a mistake. She should have come upstairs. It was warmer up there. But she was nestled deeply in her soft, fuzzy blankets and just yawned at me. I don’t imagine 2 degrees would have made much difference to her, though. I miss her at night. 

Posted on 10/31/07 at 10:28 AM
 




justme

I caved this week when the weather said it was going to dip down to the 30’s at night. I put the therm on 63. It only came on I think once or twice. It goes of during the day as there is no one here for the most half. Once it gets colder during the day I will leave it on 60 or so. It is still getting up to close to 70 or better during the day with the sun shining in the windows upstairs, staying cooler downstairs. It’s always colder downstairs. Can’t wait to get that first gas bill.

United States   Posted by justme on 11/01/07  at  04:32 AM





Kate

The first gas bill would be a little more manageable if the utility didn’t charge nearly double during the winter. That drives me so crazy. Why does it nearly cost double to deliver the same gas in the same lines during the winter? No one has ever been able to provide a good explanation for that beyond ‘because they can.”

I don’t remember what your gas bill is in the winter, but my handyman said that his family’s gas bill is routinely in the $400 range (heat, hot water, cooking) during the winter. It’ll be even worse for people using heating oil. That makes my woodpile look awfully darned cheap by comparison. I am ever so grateful that I have that option.

It remains to be seen how long before wood starts getting scarce around here. People are already complaining that they can’t find any left to buy this season. That’s pretty early for supplies to run out.

United States   Posted by Kate on 11/01/07  at  01:05 PM





justme

I want to say it was around $300 a month last year. Just for heat. Everything else is electric.The woman next to us just had a new system put in and she said that the pipes were not connected to anything! the air was just blowing around in between the walls! And that a couple of the other condos found the same thing. Hum? I think it is worth looking into lol.

United States   Posted by justme on 11/02/07  at  06:03 AM





Kate

Sheesh, I’d say that’s worth looking into, too!

United States   Posted by Kate on 11/02/07  at  12:42 PM





Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.

Cider Press Hill

Next entry: Unplugged, briefly

Previous entry: Bumper butt