When do you turn on the heat?

[matrix82]

The problem in my apartment is that there is no thermostat, you turn the electric heat on by turning a knob on the radiator, which doesn't have a temperature marking :S. I am not sure how I would regulate the heat with it.

[gourmetsue]

It has been on for a while here. I have it at 17 overnight and then 21 just before we get up. We have a very old furnace that doesn't really warm the upper levels so we crank it in the morning to get it going up there. Once DH goes to work I turn it back down to 18 or 19 depending on the day and then it's like that until he comes home. I use our gas fireplace more than anything to heat the family room and kitchen area. I'd put one in every room. They are awesome.

[BC Gal]

I love saving money, but cannot stand being cold, especially here in the Fraser Valley where it's a wet cold. The heater goes on when it gets below 20. If that cost is a luxury then so be it.

[alicia]

We keep it at 18, and then boost it to 21 if we need the burst of heat.

[momof5boys]

Our furnace is over 40 years old - it's an Airco and apparently they just don't die, according to the furnace tech who checks and cleans our furnace each year. We also just use it in the morning to warm up the place sufficiently, then only have the gas fireplace on during the day if need be. Our heating bills are actually very low so we are not updating our furnace anytime soon. The new furnaces have too many parts and too many things that can go wrong. Our Airco has five parts - that's it. A friend had a new furnace put in about six years ago and already went through two computer boards.

[cath007]

I honnestly try to kept it down when it is possible or not so cold...but I choose the method of payment of 12 months equality so that hurt less than have a bill of 200$ or so for the coldest months of the winter.

[KrazE]

The problem in my apartment is that there is no thermostat, you turn the electric heat on by turning a knob on the radiator, which doesn't have a temperature marking :S. I am not sure how I would regulate the heat with it.

If you're paying for the heat, I'd highly recommend changing it to one that has temperature markings on it - they are about $11 for the two wire models at Home Depot.

[cath007]

On another not...I have electric heat but my building was builded in 1930 in those years...It is a old one..So instead of a '' Thermostat in the wall'' I am not liking than to control the heat it is some 1 for 5 degres...11 for 10 etc....you know the principe .In the left of the plaque...Anyone else with the same system? I hate it lol...And if I dont put it at least at 15 degres...they dont heat..the plaque are cold!!! ugh

Also the heat is under the windows so that create some condensation even some kind of mold...I have to sometime open the window or try to much possible to open the curtain to have sun for the heat.

I live in a 2 floor and the heat of the 1 floor is not terrific because my wood floor are cold!!!

[rollei]

I have just started turning on the heat in the evenings. When it is chilly in the day, I will turn it on too.

[screamy]

I'm in Toronto in a condo. Last year I didn't turn the heat on at all - and there were only two days really cold enough to make me consider it. I put on another layer and dealt with it - I think it was around February and I was quite pleased with myself for having managed that far by then, LOL.

It's still not on yet so far this year. Really makes me want to replace my HVAC with something I don't have to pay for monthly from Direct Energy...it bugs me to pay ~$45 plus tax every month for something I'm literally not using.

[Shwa Girl]

..it bugs me to pay ~$45 plus tax every month for something I'm literally not using.

$45 is incredible. WTG.

I read something from America's Cheapest Family. They live in Arizona and need lots of air conditioning. The shut the windows, turn on the A/C in the morning while people are getting ready for their day. They lower the A/C during the day and use cooling strategies. They turn on the A/C late in teh evening.

We are trying that strategy with our heat this year. We have dropped $20 per month since last year.

[RebeccaRYoung]

We have a programmable thermostat, so we just set it for a specific temperature and let it go. It's a good money saving device to be able to set the temperature, and change it for specific times when we're not home.

[rosemarie132]

Hallo Guys. In the last week, we've been getting highs in the 60s (afternoon) and lows in the 30s (latenight) around here, but I have yet to touch the heater. It still seems pretty early.

At what temperatures does it become necessary for you to turn the heat on?

[momof5boys]

Hallo Guys. In the last week, we've been getting highs in the 60s (afternoon) and lows in the 30s (latenight) around here, but I have yet to touch the heater. It still seems pretty early.

At what temperatures does it become necessary for you to turn the heat on?

It totally depends where you live and what you live in and how well it is insulated.....for those living in a condo, sandwiched between units, they may get away with not using much heat. I know someone who lives in a townhouse (between two units) and she rarely turns on the heat. But the amount she needs to pay in strata fees more than makes up for it!

[Kelly5]

I don't have one specific day that I turn on the heat or a/c. It just depends upon the temperature and when I think I need it. Now that there's snow on the ground I think the heat should be on.