Help needed from northerners on staying warm

[HenHaven]

I have a lightweight polar fleece scarf that I put on in the house, and that makes a BIG difference for me if I am feeling cold. I also discovered Cuddl'Duds and I love them. Basically it's just long underwear, but it makes your first layer very lightweight but warm. Layers are important. A hat will help keep your body heat in too.

As far as the house, drapes will help insulate the windows, and large area rugs will also warm things up. They can be taken up in the summer if you want.

It sounds like this extreme cold is not the norm for your location. You may want to ride this out, and in the meantime do some research on the normal temps for your area. I lived in an old house for years, so I know what you are dealing with. Hang in there--spring is just around the corner! January is almost history!

 

[hollyclyff]

Holy Moly, I don't know how you folks survive keeping the thermostat at 60-65. I keep mine on 73 in the daytime and I still get cold. And that's with dressing in layers in a modern insulated house with nice tight windows. Hot decaf coffee is good and it's even better with a splash of amaretto. Warms me up nicely for awhile.

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Not to much you can do now... If you are planning on staying in the house then do some homework ask questions
in your area, and plan on improvements for next year..

For now get every one a twin sized electric blanket buy a bulk box of hot cocoa rent some movies and enjoy each other company snuggled under a warm fuzzy blanket
watching your favorit flicks..

May the sun shine soon

 

[Rosalind]

I second what Pat said about using an open fireplace. There is really no point, it will make more drafts than it is worth. Keep the damper on it closed, too.

Most of what I would tell you has been said. Heat only a couple of rooms, not the whole house. Keep doors closed, put insulating curtains up. Ah, from the Southerners I know who have come up North, I will spell out the layering thing for you, it's often unclear what we mean by that:

A normal outfit to wear to work in the winter consists of:
Regular undies
Long undies or leggings and a camisole
Two pairs socks or one heavy pair socks
Possibly wool tights, depending on how long you're going to be outside and how nasty it is
A blouse
Worst weather, a turtleneck sweater under the blouse, then the button-down blouse goes over that
Another sweater, e.g. a knitted cardigan
Warm pants: LL Bean makes khakis with flannel inside, or wool suit pants
A blazer over that
Boots of some sort to deal with the snow

That's what you wear around the office. To go outdoors, add:
Heavy winter coat, either wool (Navy pea coats are popular around here), down-filled or insulated leather
Scarf
Knitted hat
Mittens or gloves.

For messing around the house or for casual:
Long undies/leggings/camisole
Sweatpants or jeans
long-sleeved t-shirt
heavy socks
sweatshirt
slippers

The cool new thing is knitted arm warmers. Like knitted gloves without any fingers, just a loop that goes over your thumb. Keeps hands and arms warm, fingers free to type on BYC...

 

[suenrob]

I feel for you Ruth, thats why I moved to Florida!!! I couldn't stand being cold any longer. I used to use pantyhose as my first layer, sat in front of an electric heater, and slept with an electric blanket.

I was miserable and depressed all winter.

Just a thought.........no wonder your DH is depressed, HE'S FREEZING!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways...I'll pray for an early spring for you!!!!

 

[ruth]

Quote:
Oh no, he loves it. Hairy guy who used to complain I kept the house too hot. Not a chance now.

 

[suenrob]

How did you get my comment on there?
I see that alot but don't know how to do it. ( Sorry, I'm new)

 

[ruth]

Quote:
Just click on "quote" by the post you want to quote. You can then edit some out if you want. Then, type your reply beneath it. Easy.

However, I can't figure out how some people quote more than one person at a time.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Fellow southerner here but my DH says that you should check into better insulating the house. Your new house is (from the pictures I saw) at least a hundred years old right? If it's that old it probably isn't insulated well, that'll kill your electric bills from AC in the summer too.

I feel for you. I'm sitting here with the heat on 70 and I'm freezing.

 

[bayouchica]

Hi Ruth, I feel for ya. Sounds like you got some good advice, wood or pellet heaters are the best.
The old house I grew up in wasn't insulated at all.It was a two story, 4000 sq ft & there was no way for my parents too heat all of it. The home I'm living in now is cold,but my bedroom is colder!!!
Yall might want to consider getting radiated floor heat or drop the ceilings in your home.The would lower the cost of heating/cooling all that space.
Good luck, spring is just around the corner,I promise.

Miriam