Thread Number: 68286
/ Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
Everyone ready for winter? |
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Post# 910239 , Reply# 1   12/8/2016 at 21:30 (2,695 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 910241 , Reply# 2   12/8/2016 at 21:47 (2,695 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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Do you heat with a boiler? Hot water heat? Radiators? |
Post# 910242 , Reply# 3   12/8/2016 at 21:47 (2,695 days old) by Xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania )   |   | |
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Post# 910243 , Reply# 4   12/8/2016 at 22:17 (2,695 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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I have a New Yorker oil hot water boiler with baseboard units. In 22 years I average a little over 500 gallons of oil for a years worth of heat and hot water and I heat 2000 sq. ft. But if power goes out I still have propane heat backup. Cheaper to run oil at 1.69/gal. vs 3.99 gal. for propane. Cheap natural gas is 9 miles from me but I will never see it.
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Post# 910247 , Reply# 6   12/8/2016 at 22:34 (2,695 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Gary, I grew up in a mid 1800's Queen Anne Victorian. It had 3 of those coal converted to oil octopuses to heat 4 apartments. Even though they had put a blower on each of them, it was still FREEZING in there all winter as a kid since nobody knew what insulation was then. We had a gas and kerosene stove so the kitchen was warm and thats it. Our house had a turrent on one side that never had snow on it as the heat went right thru it.
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Post# 910251 , Reply# 8   12/8/2016 at 23:26 (2,695 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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We lived in a house when I was very young that had a furnace (probably hot water boiler) that was coal converted to gas. I have a very vague, shadowy memory of it--big, with pipes coming out. And I have a vague memory of seeing inside it, and watching the flames. I'm betting that might well date to when it was serviced. Apparently I liked watching service people work.
My mother really liked the heating system, and hated it so much when we moved out of that house. From that day on, it was forced air systems, which she didn't feel were as comfortable.
Saddening thought, but I was curious about that one house, and did some on-line research once, using an address that should have been right. A lot info is now out there, including county public records, and one thing that turned up was a permit that suggested the heating system had been redone. I suppose it may have made sense for saving money...but those old furnaces are neat.
Before posting this, I did a little research on old furnaces... (Something I see on a forum like this may inspire me.) Interestingly, I saw one page talking about a historic home. The owner felt the furnace was important, and even though he changed the heating system, he set the legal paperwork so the original furnace will have to stay in place. Link is to a page discussing this old furnace, the view of it being important historically, and even a video showing it running:
www.oldhouseguy.com/heating-old-o... |
Post# 910253 , Reply# 9   12/8/2016 at 23:40 (2,695 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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It's wintery in my part of WA,too. (I'm roughly Seattle area.) Snow tonight, which will change to rain. Tomorrow a high about 40.
I am wondering if today there was a huge surge of business at the grocery store. Someone told me once that when snow hits, they see people coming for bread and toilet paper. (I am not making that up!) As she pointed out, she wondered...isn't toilet paper something we should all have a good supply of?
As for winter in general, I am hoping for a reasonably mild winter. The roads where I am are scary when they get icy, and I'm in a place that is all electric, and that adds fear of power failure. One year, we had a massive snow/wind storm, and we were without power for 24+ hours. Fortunately, I have a neighbor I can rely on. But it was so much nicer the winter I was in a better place that had a wood stove and plenty of wood. No worries about power failures (and, of course, that was the winter when there were no significant power failures!). Plus that stove helped on nights it just felt cold. And the main heating system was a heat pump, and when temperatures were too low for that heat pump to work happily, I switched over to using wood at night, which kept the place quite warm. A part me thinks I wouldn't mind heating with wood. I don't have the physical condition to go out chop it myself, but I can handle tossing wood into a stove. I'd rather see my heating dollar go to a local person, rather than a huge energy company whom everyone hates.
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Post# 910256 , Reply# 10   12/9/2016 at 00:04 (2,695 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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Post# 910258 , Reply# 11   12/9/2016 at 00:22 (2,695 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Post# 910259 , Reply# 12   12/9/2016 at 00:24 (2,695 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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Post# 910262 , Reply# 14   12/9/2016 at 01:12 (2,695 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Yes, I'm ready. We had some frost for a few days, but it's warmer again now. I keep my heating at 69 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Nice and comfy. The downstairs apartment is empty now for a while so the floor in the livingroom was darn cold. Since my blood circulation isn't too great I bought a few small heated mats. The smallest version use only 20 Watts, but they really make a difference. The bottom is a layer of insulation, which makes them more efficient. Finally warm feet!
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Post# 910328 , Reply# 15   12/9/2016 at 11:22 (2,695 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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I'm ready. 75 degrees today. I keep both furnaces set to 75 degrees 24/7 and I still get cold. That's what happens when you get very very old.
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Post# 910344 , Reply# 16   12/9/2016 at 12:28 (2,695 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)   |   | |
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Joe, it is so nice of you to invite all of us for the winter. ;-)
The only time I like snow is if it is on the weekend, or a day off and I don't have to be out in it. It's nice to look out the window and say "Oh-it snowed" then curl up with a book for the rest of the day.
Oh-just to be perfectly honest, I hate hot weather too. I like warm weather, not too hot, not too cold. A gentle breeze, rain on demand.
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Post# 910431 , Reply# 18   12/10/2016 at 02:57 (2,694 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)   |   | |
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Replaced filter in my Lennox HVAC unit-now running as a heat pump.Also run my Heat Smart and Aerus-Lux portable heaters. |
Post# 910443 , Reply# 19   12/10/2016 at 07:18 (2,694 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)   |   | |
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in zip code 85379. |
Post# 910503 , Reply# 21   12/10/2016 at 14:19 (2,693 days old) by gredmondson (San Francisco, California 94117 USA)   |   | |
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Winter here is, well, not like winter as I think it should be. (I have a good friend who contends that any day of the year in San Francisco could be a spring day in Pennsylvania).
Right now it is raining lightly and it is 59 F. This big Victorian I am in has forced air heat, but I turn off the vent in my room. I like it cool. And, I open the window when I go to sleep. |
Post# 910732 , Reply# 23   12/12/2016 at 05:34 (2,692 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Got the filter changed in the furnace, refilled all the windshield washer tanks in the vehicles, have a Jimmy 4x4 and our Escalade is AWD so won't have any problem getting to or from work (never have), have gas range so can cook on top anyway, gas water heater so will have hot water, and a backup unvented gas heater just in case the power goes out due to ice on the tree limbs. Yep, I think we're all set.
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Post# 910738 , Reply# 24   12/12/2016 at 07:21 (2,692 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)   |   | |
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double wide, like my mind. Some folks are narrow minded, and don't reach too far. |
Post# 910805 , Reply# 26   12/12/2016 at 17:29 (2,691 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 910818 , Reply# 27   12/12/2016 at 18:20 (2,691 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Trade with you Glenn. Spent 3 hours cleaning up nearly 7 inches of basically heavy wet cement with a sheet of ice at the bottom. Now its way into the sub zero readings for the rest of the week and then another bout of warmer temps with heavy wet snow. I HATE winter already. Its like my boiler keeps cycling on way too much to keep the house livable.
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Post# 910830 , Reply# 28   12/12/2016 at 19:47 (2,691 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)   |   | |
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Thursday is supposed to be a high of 3 above. We jumped into this whole winter thing kinda fast if you ask me. It snowed about 6" yesterday. It's nice and cozy in here. We're gonna have a higher then normal gas bill for December. |
Post# 910837 , Reply# 29   12/12/2016 at 20:27 (2,691 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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low temps wed and thus in single digits. Ah love this cold weather.............not. |
Post# 910857 , Reply# 30   12/12/2016 at 21:46 (2,691 days old) by Laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)   |   | |
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Post# 910858 , Reply# 31   12/12/2016 at 21:47 (2,691 days old) by Laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)   |   | |
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Post# 910881 , Reply# 33   12/13/2016 at 02:06 (2,691 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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Greg--hope a warming trend hits your slice of WA soon!
Cold spells that keep snow and ice frozen are not fun. I've lived through an extended period of that in 2008. It was a nightmare, because I was basically "snowed" or "iced"in for what seemed like forever. I imagine main roads were plowed and clean...but it was impossible getting to those roads unless one a SUV.
At least you have lots of good food, libation available, and tunes! |
Post# 910885 , Reply# 34   12/13/2016 at 03:15 (2,691 days old) by Laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)   |   | |
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This,winter.is our rainy season. In the past three weeks.we've had four sunny days. Last Summer was no different. Flash flooding, dumb buts who were stupid enough to get in the water and round and or slip into the falls. Me? I go biking keeping my weatherised backpack supplied. I go to Coconut Island to watch and play around in the rain. Today, I played with the Kantmore adding water to make it habit more dramatic. I'm still not impressed at all.
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Post# 910972 , Reply# 35   12/13/2016 at 14:15 (2,690 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)   |   | |
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Snowing lightly here today; ground is about covered. Starting to look like Christmas. The predicted high for Thurs. is only 17F! |
Post# 911024 , Reply# 36   12/13/2016 at 19:59 (2,690 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)   |   | |
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Post# 911088 , Reply# 37   12/14/2016 at 07:38 (2,690 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)   |   | |
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here right now. It's having an effect on my aura. My evil twin has been about again this morning. Merry Christmas Gary! Try and keep warm! |
Post# 911104 , Reply# 38   12/14/2016 at 10:21 (2,690 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)   |   | |
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using a Hoverboard CLICK HERE TO GO TO Tomturbomatic's LINK |
Post# 911144 , Reply# 39   12/14/2016 at 14:55 (2,689 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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for the next day and a half. |
Post# 911152 , Reply# 40   12/14/2016 at 15:46 (2,689 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 911154 , Reply# 41   12/14/2016 at 16:26 (2,689 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))   |   | |
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Has planted it's ass over Minnesota and will be here all week Sunday's high is forecast at -5. Friday into Saturday major snow. YUCK! The Bryant forced air gas furnace is working very nicely as is the MN made Heat-N-Glo gas fireplace.
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Post# 911179 , Reply# 43   12/14/2016 at 20:27 (2,689 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)   |   | |
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Thanks Mike. Merry Christmas to you and all AW as well.
It snowed here last night up until the early afternoon. At times I couldn't see very far out the window. Combined with the snow we had earlier this week there was about 8-10 inches on the driveway so I had to fire up the Honda snow blower for the first time this season. The forecast high for tomorrow is still -18C (0F). Gary |
Post# 911184 , Reply# 44   12/14/2016 at 20:53 (2,689 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )   |   | |
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Anything above about 60 I hate, it was a terrible summer this year so I'm ready for the cold, the Bard oil furnace is humming away, burned 270 gallons of oil last winter and will probably fill up about January. |
Post# 911196 , Reply# 45   12/15/2016 at 01:02 (2,689 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)   |   | |
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Now it looks like they've canceled school for Thursday. The high is 9! Not -9! And it's sunny not snowy or icy. I'm waiting for the day when highs in the upper teens cancels school. |
Post# 911202 , Reply# 46   12/15/2016 at 06:11 (2,689 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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are on 2 hour delay. 9 degrees as I type this, winds are blowing and somewhat gusty. |
Post# 911241 , Reply# 47   12/15/2016 at 11:50 (2,689 days old) by luxflairguy (Wilmington NC)   |   | |
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Here in tiny Sumas, Wa we woke up to 16 degrees! Today makes 11 days of this weather. Oh my gas bill! |
Post# 911277 , Reply# 48   12/15/2016 at 17:07 (2,688 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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winter storm watch out now...............ugh..........as if the brutal cold isn't bad enough. |
Post# 911503 , Reply# 54   12/17/2016 at 11:36 (2,687 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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We don't have a snow free month at this altitude, so we're always 'ready'. We keep parts for the furnace (flame sensor) which are easy to swap out and cost a fortune to have done in an emergency. Wood cut and chopped by the kitchen door. Inverter and battery ready to power the blowers in the fireplace should the power go out.(I really should make up a name for that, getting tired of people thinking it's an open hearth not a high-tech sealed combustion chamber unit with 70% + efficiency). Water lines long since insulated and all rerouted to the core of the house that could be. |
Post# 911509 , Reply# 55   12/17/2016 at 12:58 (2,687 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Predicted high of 79°F today with strong winds (gale watch and low water advisory at the coast), then dropping to 34°F by 8 am Sun and 31°F Mon morn.
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Post# 911510 , Reply# 56   12/17/2016 at 13:15 (2,687 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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79 degrees one day and 31 the next! Even Pyrex would crack. No more comments from me about the current nice desert weather. Give me 6 months and I'll find plenty to complain about when the temperature hits 120. All you people that are having to endure freezing weather and storms and the accompanying heating bills deserve a badge of courage. Having lived my entire life in California I have never been in zero-degree weather, including having been in Colorado in the winter and many trips to the snow in the Sierras. I used to help defrost my parent's Amana chest freezer...does that count?
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Post# 911522 , Reply# 57   12/17/2016 at 14:36 (2,686 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)   |   | |
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I hate winter...
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Post# 911524 , Reply# 58   12/17/2016 at 15:13 (2,686 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 911525 , Reply# 59   12/17/2016 at 15:35 (2,686 days old) by kb0nes (Burnsville, MN)   |   | |
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If I say no, will it just go away??
I shouldn't complain, this year we had green grass into the first week of December. Fall was unreasonably warm and long lasting. We just had our 2nd significant snow event of the year. I got the snow tires on the car last Sunday after having to drive it once in snow with the Summer wheels. Drove home last night in heavy snow before the plows had really been out in force. This is my second winter with real winter tires, I feel bad for those that think All-Season tires are adequate in MN winters I feel worse for those that think that 4 wheel drive makes up for crappy tires.... Those folks are nothing but a hazard to themselves and others. Snow thrower started first pull. Just amazing how little work is required to keep intermittent use engines running, once you learn to NEVER buy gas with alcohol in it. I think these two snows have been the biggest single tests on the machine since I got it. Tomorrow will have the lowest temperatures we have seen here for 3 years, predicted lows of more then -22F (air temp). Been years since we have seen 20 below here. The changing climate has sure altered our weather in MN. So no, I'm really not ready. |
Post# 911531 , Reply# 60   12/17/2016 at 16:19 (2,686 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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Are the bane of our streets. They are too arrogant to learn how to drive in Winter, they don't turn their lights on (I kin C jus' fine, not mah proplum), and actually believe that vehicle stability control, 4-wheel drive and abs will bail them out. Military base here and all the 'strats from Texass just refuse to learn. Mother Nature, red of tooth and claw just loves lernin' them all about the laws of Nature. Unfortunately, there's too much collateral damage. If they just killed themselves, it would be a net gain. Sadly, they usually hurt other people in the process of skidding out of control and wrecking. All-Season tires? How cute. The 'all seasons' they refer to would be those of LA or Tampa Bay, right? |
Post# 911569 , Reply# 62   12/17/2016 at 22:54 (2,686 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 911581 , Reply# 64   12/18/2016 at 00:11 (2,686 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)   |   | |
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I hear you. Friends back home in Munich used to say to me, Es gibt kein schlectes Wetter, nur schlecht bekleidete Menschen. That is, there's no such thing as bad weather, just poorly dressed people. That saying died right quick the day a few came to see us here in the Rocky Mountain West and it was -27 F at the airport - and we live 3000 feet higher. Was -32F at our house. Yee-haw. Nobody wanted to go for a walk.... You can't teach things to people who refuse to learn. Mother Nature, red of tooth and claw, just loves to explain her Natural Laws to them. In gruesome detail and with great thoroughness. I imagine she's got some fun lessons up her sleeves for the climate deniers. |
Post# 911611 , Reply# 65   12/18/2016 at 08:46 (2,686 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Post# 911666 , Reply# 66   12/18/2016 at 15:19 (2,685 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Post# 911670 , Reply# 68   12/18/2016 at 16:00 (2,685 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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After 6+" of snow thru last night, freezing rain turned to heavy rain most of today. It would have been useless to try the snowblower as it would constantly clog. Shoveled by hand for 2 hours of basically cement. Temps are falling rapidly and anything not melted away will be glare ice tomorrow. My back is sore now and I am not going anywhere.
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Post# 911686 , Reply# 69   12/18/2016 at 18:18 (2,685 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)   |   | |
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The night is still young here. Supposed to be -14.
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Post# 911748 , Reply# 71   12/19/2016 at 01:56 (2,685 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)   |   | |
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Another thought-WOW if its -26 outside and you have 70 inside-better get out your blindfold when your utility bills come next month! |
Post# 911767 , Reply# 73   12/19/2016 at 06:19 (2,685 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)   |   | |
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would feel like a heat wave this morning in Chicago, etc. The wind chill makes it feel even colder than minus -12 f. |
Post# 912340 , Reply# 75   12/23/2016 at 16:26 (2,680 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 912346 , Reply# 76   12/23/2016 at 18:01 (2,680 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)   |   | |
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Our gas bill was $180 for the cycle ending December 16th. 3 weeks of that cycle was winter temperatures. Gas was 30 cents a therm, dirt cheap. I'm happily enjoying keeping the thermostats at a comfortable temperature round the clock all winter long while its that cheap. |
Post# 912362 , Reply# 77   12/23/2016 at 22:54 (2,680 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 912420 , Reply# 78   12/24/2016 at 10:59 (2,680 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 912428 , Reply# 79   12/24/2016 at 11:50 (2,680 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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Brief warmup to be followed by colder air. Only snow we have is what has not been washed away by rain. At least the union made Goodman furnace gets a respite of sorts. :) |
Post# 912788 , Reply# 81   12/27/2016 at 19:36 (2,676 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 912879 , Reply# 82   12/28/2016 at 15:11 (2,675 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and OZ All Together. )   |   | |
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In my historic 1903 Craftsman home, I have Big Bertha. Big Bertha, is my antique boiler, and with her I have good old cast iron radiators. She was originally a coal burning system (she is still in the coal room of my basement, with the cast iron coal shoot door), then she was converted to gas at some point in time. I have been in this house 6 months on the 10th of December, and being one that has always has forced air systems, I didn't know what to expect. But I have been pleasantly surprised! She keeps my house nice and toasty, and it is a nice soft, even heat, that doesn't blast me like forced air. So over all I am very pleased, the only thing is I have yet to master her temperature. It seems that she heats about 5 degrees higher than I set the thermostat at, but I guess that is just part of the relationship we have to build.
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Post# 912883 , Reply# 83   12/28/2016 at 16:17 (2,675 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)   |   | |
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These thermostats are adjustable. I have never tried to use that one but it has adjustment screws inside.
This one has a tag that says "old store, still good" and "replaced on December 11th 1963"! |
Post# 912884 , Reply# 84   12/28/2016 at 16:19 (2,675 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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I like Big Bertha! Wish I could see more of her (the insulation jacket--while practical--hides most of her. But then I suppose she might be modest.)
As I mentioned above, we had some sort of radiator system in one house, and my mother talked about how comfortable that house was until the end of her life. My mother did not like cold in the least, so she was a bit of a connoisseur of heating systems. (Although she was practically minded. She wouldn't have sat, glued to a computer monitor, watching, say, videos of old furnaces. That's what her crazy son might do, naming no names...)
As for the temperature rise of 5 degrees above the thermostat setting--it seems like a bit of playing should get the temperature where you want it. One aspect: when the boiler isn't running, there is probably a lot of residual heat in the system that will continue heating the house. Point #2: the thermostat may have calibration issues. I have a far newer thermostat, and it's 5 degrees off. You can probably learn to adjust. (Unless the thermostat becomes a problem, I wouldn't replace. A digital thermostat would seem just plain wrong in that house!)
By the way, is the house a true "Craftsman" (Gustav Stickley) or just from that era? My mother absolutely loved Stickley design...if she'd had the money, she'd have had one of his houses, fully furnished with his furniture. |
Post# 912906 , Reply# 86   12/28/2016 at 18:15 (2,675 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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I would put the thermostat on display somewhere and just use a much more accurate one like the one I mentioned.
A fairly reasonable, practical approach. I have to admit--I hate digital thermostats, but this might be a practical move.
One option occurs to me. I think I've heard the suggestion of having an old fashioned mechanical thermostat wired in parallel in case the digital thermostat malfunctions (such as a battery dying when its freezing out, and one is out of town for the weekend). If that would work for this system, the old thermostat could stay on display, set to some sort of minimum temperature to provide "fail safe" backup, while the digital thermostat does the day to day work. |
Post# 912913 , Reply# 88   12/28/2016 at 19:36 (2,675 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)   |   | |
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I also have a small collection of vintage thermostats but none in use!
I already had to deal with the replacement of other parts of the old heating system in the house I haven't moved in yet and I'd like if I could afford replacing the boiler with a more efficient one. I'll have to deal with other stuff first. |
Post# 912923 , Reply# 89   12/28/2016 at 20:15 (2,675 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )   |   | |
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Our boiler is original to the house 1958 and still working perfectly. As for efficiency I dunno. All I do know is that we keep our house at around 73 and our gas bill is less than many neighbors with forced air gas who keep their t-stats set lower. It also keep our basement toasty warm from all the residual heat. Not very much maintenance is required, once a year, sometimes two years, all I've had to do is go around with a small wrench and bleed some air out of a few baseboards. I'd be wary of buying a new boiler,, we had one in the small aprtment building we had for a few years.. it had a few issues with the electronics. |
Post# 912929 , Reply# 90   12/28/2016 at 20:28 (2,675 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 912954 , Reply# 91   12/28/2016 at 23:23 (2,675 days old) by gizmo (Victoria, Australia)   |   | |
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It's Summer down here on the south of the planet. Foggy this morning but currently 30 degrees C (86 F) and bright sunshine at 4.20 pm. We had a HOT christmas day - 36 degrees C (97 F) so appreciating the cooler weather. Tomato and zucchini plants enjoying the heat. Chris. |
Post# 912973 , Reply# 93   12/29/2016 at 07:53 (2,675 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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I think we are starting a new trend for Christmas in TN. Last year and this one too we had the AC on for Christmas day! Then the next day storms came through and the heat kicked on! I wish I had a house with hydronic heating in the floors...I hate cold floors. My 16 year old Amana (Goodman) gas package still going strong, knock wood. |
Post# 912984 , Reply# 94   12/29/2016 at 09:18 (2,675 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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If you can't have underfloort heating, you could consider a Cozy Toes heated carpet.
www.floormat.com/heated-mats/cozy... |
Post# 912986 , Reply# 95   12/29/2016 at 09:44 (2,675 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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heated mattress pad not cheap but very effective ifyou are cold blooded like me CLICK HERE TO GO TO washman's LINK |
Post# 912992 , Reply# 96   12/29/2016 at 10:56 (2,675 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)   |   | |
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or cuddle to heat up the bed. :) .!. x2 or .!. plus () or whatever floats ones boat. |
Post# 913087 , Reply# 99   12/30/2016 at 01:44 (2,674 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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I've even heard of people specifically heating their basement (past waste heat from the heating system) with at least a partial goal of keeping the 1st floor warmer.
I was in a house last weekend that uses radiator system built into floors. One day is hard to judge such a system...but I can say I was quite comfortable there. I NEVER drink anything with ice in it during winter because it's too cold, and yet had at least a couple of drinks with ice there, and thought nothing of it. |
Post# 913111 , Reply# 100   12/30/2016 at 08:20 (2,674 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and OZ All Together. )   |   | |
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I like Big Bertha too! Of coarse she is modest, she is Victorian...lol...Modesty was a Victorian virtue=)...
I am going to keep the vintage Honeywell thermostat. I don't trust anything new, and that has served its propose for twice of my life time. Nothing appears to be worn or broken, and the wires are not crumbling or deteriorating. So I see no point in using a new fangled, digital piece of garbage...lol.... And to answer Lord Kenmore's question about my house, It is just a craftsman style home. But it is a prestigious home, was built for the original Wichita City Commissioner Mr,Garrison Scott. It is pretty much a time capsule of a house, with all its original wood work, and doors, and lead glass, and door knobs, and hard wood still intact. I will post a few pics to let you get a idea. Enjoy. |
Post# 913140 , Reply# 101   12/30/2016 at 11:11 (2,674 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)   |   | |
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Post# 913162 , Reply# 102   12/30/2016 at 14:44 (2,673 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Post# 913164 , Reply# 103   12/30/2016 at 15:01 (2,673 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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Stunning house! Thanks for sharing the photos!
I like houses with interior woodwork like that. That house had the radiator system I've mentioned before in this thread apparently had good woodwork. I don't known when that house was built--much later than 1903; I'm thinking about 1920. I've wondered if I like houses from that era because I remember that one house on a deep level, and it was fairly good time in my family's history.
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Post# 913172 , Reply# 104   12/30/2016 at 15:30 (2,673 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and OZ All Together. )   |   | |
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All the City records show a build date of 1903, even the original permit for build. Trust me I went through yards of Microfilm at the Liabry to find it! LOL...The Permit was taken in 1903, my Mr Scott for $5000.00.
View Full Size
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Post# 913179 , Reply# 105   12/30/2016 at 15:44 (2,673 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Old thermostats do go off-kilter, become inaccurate. A store/office where I worked from 1999 to 2007 had (probably still does) a Carrier HVAC system that surely dated to the 1960s if not earlier. The thermostat was wonky with a wide, uncomfortable temperature swing. Had to be set cooler than necessary in summer so the room temp didn't swing too high before it cycled back on, and vice-versa for heating. |
Post# 913183 , Reply# 106   12/30/2016 at 15:52 (2,673 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 913211 , Reply# 109   12/30/2016 at 20:45 (2,673 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)   |   | |
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Clarification--my post above wasn't crafted too well (sorry!). I was in a hurry to get out to do some errands. The house I referred to being later than 1903 was one my family had (ca. 1920), not yours.
It's neat that you've been able to get historical information...even if meant tiresome hours of going through microfilm!
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Post# 913429 , Reply# 112   1/1/2017 at 05:21 (2,672 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Post# 913456 , Reply# 115   1/1/2017 at 09:50 (2,672 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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My old Chronotherm III needed a long learning curve for how long the house would need to get warm. I caught it a few times heating the house in te middle of the night. The new Chronotherm Touch just took a few days. It's very convenient to just program at what time you want the house to be warm and the thermostat heating the house in time.
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Post# 913594 , Reply# 116   1/2/2017 at 08:51 (2,671 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Post# 913713 , Reply# 117   1/2/2017 at 22:45 (2,670 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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I have lived in this state for nearly 63 years and the winters are getting more stranger. 4 storms in the last 2 weeks that dumped heavy wet cement, not nice fluffy, easy to snowblow snow you have to shovel by hand. Instead it will be turning frigid to glare ice, when power goes out again, then shovel if you can, sand, rinse and repeat again tomorrow for the next one. Getting VERY old and 3 more months of this crap at least to go. Who knows if global warming has anything to do with it. All I know, I have never seen winters extreme swings like the past 2 years.
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Post# 914325 , Reply# 121   1/6/2017 at 15:10 (2,666 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 914353 , Reply# 123   1/6/2017 at 18:11 (2,666 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Ice frozen solid everywhere here. You need ice creepers to even get from my house to garage. I have salted and sanded my driveway so many times in the last few weeks its stupid. -2 tonight and dropping until Wednesday, then more rain and freezing up again. This is getting very old. Unfortunately, our meteorologists here predict quite well.
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Post# 914414 , Reply# 125   1/7/2017 at 08:55 (2,666 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Post# 914421 , Reply# 126   1/7/2017 at 10:45 (2,666 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 914545 , Reply# 129   1/8/2017 at 04:25 (2,665 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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Post# 914556 , Reply# 130   1/8/2017 at 06:59 (2,665 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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The temps in southern Minnesota are actually climbing for a few days! It was -4 last night, but we should be in the low 20's for a couple of days. The furnace will run less and the humidity inside will go up a bit. Of course this means a few inches of snow are on deck, but...it's Minnesota. Hi, Ben!
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Post# 914573 , Reply# 131   1/8/2017 at 09:31 (2,665 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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Hi frig |
Post# 914582 , Reply# 132   1/8/2017 at 09:50 (2,665 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 914595 , Reply# 133   1/8/2017 at 10:41 (2,665 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)   |   | |
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15" in Barnstable last night.
By Wednesday it's supposed to be in the upper forties to possibly just about 60 on Thursday. Then Forties during the day for about 3-4 days. |
Post# 914682 , Reply# 134   1/8/2017 at 18:40 (2,664 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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Quite a bit of snow there eddie. What type of heating system do you have?
Humidity has hovered at 40 per cent all day now, even with the Vornado running full chat. |
Post# 914688 , Reply# 135   1/8/2017 at 19:43 (2,664 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)   |   | |
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Post# 914693 , Reply# 136   1/8/2017 at 20:09 (2,664 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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Wow that sure is some setup! |
Post# 914697 , Reply# 137   1/8/2017 at 20:38 (2,664 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Eddie, a Weil McLain is the Cadillac of boilers I got a 22 year old New Yorker that just now cycled on as its -4 and going down now, set the old Honeywell round at 64 day and night that boiler runs just like it has since it was installed, baseboard units tick, heat comes out, what more can you ask for. I have gas backup just in case the power goes out.
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Post# 914990 , Reply# 138   1/10/2017 at 16:55 (2,662 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)   |   | |
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Another Colorado low has moved into the area. The snow started early afternoon. We are supposed to get 20 cm by tomorrow. I've had enough already.
I have a hot water system with radiant baseboard heaters. The water is heated by a propane fired boiler. The system was installed in 2009. Gary |
Post# 914991 , Reply# 139   1/10/2017 at 17:04 (2,662 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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that is a nice looking setup countryguy. |
Post# 915000 , Reply# 140   1/10/2017 at 18:18 (2,662 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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That is a very nice setup. Baby boiler that could easily heat more, Power vent so no chimney needed, PEX to run throughout the house, perfect in my world. Wished there was this available 22 years ago when I put my system in. Does that supply your domestic hot water also? From a deep freeze to rain here and much weirder warmer temps for January. Suppose all the melting snow will be glare ice AGAIN.
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Post# 915015 , Reply# 141   1/10/2017 at 20:28 (2,662 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)   |   | |
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Thanks Washman and Wayupnorth.
Actually a chimney is required as it is only an 84% efficient boiler (at the recommendation of the heating contractor). The blower on the exhaust vent was added after the fact because I was having problems with a down draft sometimes and the burner would not ignite. Originally the house had nothing but baseboard electric heaters. When electricity rates started to rise I decided it was time to get rid of the electric heat. My original plan was for a forced air system (so that I could have central air) but due to the way the house was built, it was not possible so I went with the hot water radiant. All the electric rads were replaced with the hot water rads and since the basement has a suspended ceiling it was relatively easily to have the PEX lines installed. There are 5 zones - master bedroom, guest bedroom, main bathroom, living/dining/kitchen and basement. The system does not supply the domestic hot water. I inquired about replacing the electric hot water tank but the contractor thought the savings would be negligible since I am a 1 person household. The snow has changed to a driving rain with winds blowing from the south. Gary |
Post# 915017 , Reply# 142   1/10/2017 at 21:10 (2,662 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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After a frigid weekend, temps are on the rise but weatherbug just buzzed with a wind advisory until tomorrow morning.
48 degrees as I type this. |
Post# 915026 , Reply# 143   1/10/2017 at 21:35 (2,662 days old) by petek (Ontari ari ari O )   |   | |
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Post# 915347 , Reply# 144   1/12/2017 at 15:05 (2,660 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 915350 , Reply# 145   1/12/2017 at 15:18 (2,660 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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it expired but the rain is a coming down. |
Post# 915360 , Reply# 146   1/12/2017 at 15:35 (2,660 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 915374 , Reply# 149   1/12/2017 at 17:10 (2,660 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)   |   | |
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We've had thundersnow a few times in the last few years around here. It has been known to be extraordinarily loud. |
Post# 915376 , Reply# 150   1/12/2017 at 17:23 (2,660 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)   |   | |
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It was up to 67F around noon, but rained heavily about 3PM. The temp has now dropped to upper 40's. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be upper 30's, but warm back up to 50's next week. |
Post# 915389 , Reply# 151   1/12/2017 at 18:11 (2,660 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)   |   | |
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like that in thunder snow and freezing rain sure used to push my "threshold too", and I never even went to band camp. Hey Jim! jmm63 too buddy! |
Post# 915394 , Reply# 152   1/12/2017 at 18:28 (2,660 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)   |   | |
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Post# 915400 , Reply# 153   1/12/2017 at 18:52 (2,660 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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Just got gas bill for billing period 12/9 to 1/12...........$65.82 4.7 MCF used with 1119 degree days whatever the hell that means............ |
Post# 915522 , Reply# 155   1/13/2017 at 15:23 (2,659 days old) by Jmm63 (Denville, NJ)   |   | |
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I can only wish my bill was that low and that I could keep the house at 70. We keep the house at 65, and 62 at night or when no one is home. (programmable tstat) We heat with oil so it's whatever the price is when I order it. Some years its downright painfull. So far this year, i got 100 gallons the end of October which lasted Nov and December, that was $250, so $125 a month, not terrible. Got another 150 gal the end of Dec, that was $300. Will probably need another 150 gal the beginning of Feb which hopefully will be it for the rest of the season, depends of the weather.
We dress warmly in the house. |
Post# 915542 , Reply# 156   1/13/2017 at 17:31 (2,659 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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i'm pretty sure my basic MCF went up a bit this year, over $2 and some change per MCF. Last year it was below $2 per MCF, don't recall what it was though. |
Post# 915565 , Reply# 158   1/13/2017 at 20:25 (2,659 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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I have oil because propane is ridiculously expensive and natural gas is never going to be available where I live. I have propane backup in case power goes out. I have two 330 gallon tanks that easily give me my heat and hot water with my trusty New Yorker boiler for a full year. Filling up when it is cheap (1.69/gal.) end of summer helped alot. Now zero on the thermometer and -17 with wind chill. Summer, please come back!
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Post# 915598 , Reply# 159   1/14/2017 at 09:00 (2,659 days old) by Jmm63 (Denville, NJ)   |   | |
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Mike, It's oil fired forced air. Furnace was new as of last year and is much more efficient than the old one, which was 30+ years old. Although I'm not 100% happy with it. Its much louder than the old one and we sized it a little more powerful than the old one because the 2nd floor is always cold. It helped some but not quite. We have to have some duct work done to fix that. The master bedroom needs another supply line and the whole house needs more cold air returns.
My mom's house in Allen Park had the original gravity heat furnace from 1948 to 1990 when she put in forced air.
Like Mike, we don't have natural gas in the neighborhood. Its an old lake community that was originally summer cottages. They never ran gas mains in. Everyone heats with oil or propane, but propane is really expensive so its oil for most.
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Post# 915656 , Reply# 161   1/14/2017 at 14:30 (2,658 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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I really do feel sorry for those people who end up going without electricity for periods of time. The very few instances when my power has gone off was when Southern California Edison said that they had maintenance to do. They gave you a 2 week heads-up and then the off period was short and never in the summer. As it was I would get so upset that friends said I needed to be sedated. |
Post# 915700 , Reply# 162   1/14/2017 at 19:49 (2,658 days old) by Jmm63 (Denville, NJ)   |   | |
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Thanks for asking Mike, we actually just had a really bad week. She's been in the hospital this week due to a really bad UTI and a fall on monday. Thank God, nothing broken. The UTI was pretty serious, 3 days of IV anti biotics and fluids and she was released on Thursday and is back home. Thank God for my sister, who has to deal with |
Post# 915923 , Reply# 163   1/16/2017 at 12:53 (2,657 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)   |   | |
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The boiler at my new home stopped to heat this weekend, there was a bad weld in the relay of the aquastat, I called the gas company for service but the weekend call was $500... I looked at it and fixed it by myself and I'll probably order a spare online as they are quite expensive in Canada...
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Post# 916122 , Reply# 164   1/17/2017 at 21:23 (2,655 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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Bit of a warm spell last 2 days. Goodman is humming right along. I hope the filter will last until early summer, at 38 bucks a throw, I don't fancy replacing them too often! |
Post# 916123 , Reply# 165   1/17/2017 at 21:26 (2,655 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)   |   | |
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It's supposed to be in the 40s and some 50s for the next week here. I change our filter just over once a year, it lasts a very long time and we have a dusty house. It's the same one you got. |
Post# 916276 , Reply# 167   1/18/2017 at 18:53 (2,654 days old) by washman (o)   |   | |
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mainly due to the fact that in addition to being non-compliant with DOE and EPA edicts, I'm also a 2nd class citizen.
I'm a smoker |
Post# 916281 , Reply# 168   1/18/2017 at 19:53 (2,654 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)   |   | |
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My system being 22 years old is far from complying with any of the new standards but is very efficient. I dont have any filters, just pet hair clogging up the baseboard units, needs frequently gone over with the vac, I am a second class also and I dont care what anyone thinks. This is what I see every day (that the sun is out). I should say in warmer weather, not in the middle of January.
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Post# 916320 , Reply# 170   1/19/2017 at 03:51 (2,654 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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December's gas usage for us was 5900 cu ft. with the thermostat set on 72-73 and a gas water heater, dryer, and kitchen stove in a 1956 ranch with the original drafty wood windows (to be changed out this year)! My actual cost was $57 total for the gas, monthly service charge, blah blah. With budget billing I only had to pay $34 (averaged over the whole year). Gas is very cheap here. |