It's FREAKING cold in my apartment

[yvr girl]

I've been home an hour, and I still have my jacket on.

Note to self: Don't leave the window open all day, it's still officially winter.

[ralps]

1. Go get yourself a hot chocolate, and a blanket

:hi: :hug:

[steve2470]

2. here's something to warm you up

:hug:

[MADem]

3. You total energy PIG!!!!!! (Or...ARE YOU???)

Who pays the heat? The landlord? Don't bitch when he raises the rent!!!! Man, I know how it is when the house has shitty heat, but you can gripe and get the landlord to put valves on the radiators, if the heat is too extreme...and if there are no valves on them (if that's how your joint is heated). But if there are valves, it's LEFTY LOOSY, RIGHTY TIGHTY. Turn them to the right if the joint is too hot. No need to heat the great outdoors.

Hey, nothing wrong with airing the joint out, but if you had the capability, but didn't close off the radiators, or shut off the heat, before you left the friken window open, bro, you are PART OF THE PROBLEM.

If you DID do your part, and despite your frugality, the landlord turns down the heat after ten, get a small space heater for these contingencies.

Remember, we are all paying for "wasted heat."

Bitch! Loud and often!

Too hot? Bitch! Too cold? Bitch!!! If you don't, before you know it, cold will be the rule, heat will be a luxury (and reverse that equation in summertime!).

[yvr girl]

4. I haven't had my heat on for weeks

It's just colder outside than it has been.

[MADem]

5. OK, then you need one of those convection type heaters

They are low energy, take FOREVER to transmit the heat (and they do, to the furniture, the floor, the walls, etc. but they do better than nothing and they are cheap to run), but they will keep you from freezing. A quick space heater for short bursts in a small room will help you as well.

Also, get yerself a good down or synthetic (with good heat conservation qualities) comforter or zippy sleeping bag. Wear it like a wizard's cloak, give it some style!

And make yerself a cuppa tea or hot chocolate! Cover up, stay warm!


And close the friken window!!!!!!

[hickman1937]

6. A convection heater?

What is this please?

[MADem]

13. Check these out!

http://www.eheat.us/

Here's one (see above). I knew (years ago, Vietnam era) a buncha hippies who had one (just ONE, dammit!) that looked a lot like one of those Sharper Image air purifiers you see nowadays on TV, up in VT, which is why I mentioned it. Theirs was not big enough for the massive front room in the farmhouse they lived in, and the damn place never got warm enough, but if you matched the heater to the room (or get two for a big room) they will do do the trick. Of course, I was in no postion to bitch, because these guys were always so willing to give you a place to crash, and the heater essentially warmed the walls, floor, furniture, but did not do much for the damn air. But those things DO take the longest to absorb heat. If they had a lousy space heater to supplement their convection heater, or had two going, the joint would have been totally livable! The great thing about them is that they are cheap to operate, way cheaper than heaters that are basically fancy hair dryers...way safer, too.

Here's another: http://www.shentech.com/ch15.html And one more, just for style: http://www.atrendyhome.com/wieudecohe.html

[hickman1937]

16. I can't believe I have never heard of these.

I've got to check this out. I've paid about $700.00 in electric and gas in the last 3 months. I live in a 1000 to 1100 square foot condo, and my heat is usually set at about 68 degrees. Thanks. BTW, I used to be a hippie, just couldn't make it work.

[MADem]

22. I used to be one too (still am, sorta kinda)

But then I spent decades in the military, faked it real good, saw all elements of society, and found many, many others faking it just like I was. I empathize with gays in the closet for this reason alone! Ya gotta be true to your heart!

Now I am a sorta-kinda-hippie once more. I don't look like one, but the kids in my large family know the score, as do my long-term pals. Shocks their friends when they realize I am not a straight laced asshole, much to my "closet hippie" amusement! I conserve, eschew preservatives, grow my own veggies sometimes, recycle, all that happy crap. I like doing it, too!

As for your heat, you can cut your costs. 55 on your thermostat will keep the pipes from freezing, and a convection heater or two coupled with an "on demand" (you are in there, you pump it up) space heater should keep you toasting.

Also, check your insulation. You just might you have some issues. Find drafts, they are your enemy--stop them. Check your windows, and if push comes to shove, go the unglamourous "window kit" route (the hideous plastic that you put on the window with sticky, and make taut with a hair dryer--they have some halfway decent kits out now, way better than the old days where they were almost opaque and thick--now they have the thinner, clearer stuff that works just as well). Put them on the side of your place that gets the worst of the weather. Cut your heat by 20 percent. Probably too late this year, but if you see any kits on sale, pick them up for the next go-round. Winter always returns! Also, and this seems a bit lame, but OPEN YOUR CURTAINS if you will be home by sunset and the light streams in. Don't ignore the power of Mr. Sun!!

Finally, lighting--those funky flourescent screw in lights are not so bad with a decent shade. And they even have some that look like a bulb! Find places in your house where you always have a light on, and think about swapping the regular bulb for the goofy flourescent light (check discount houses, you can often find them on sale for way less than the regular stores--and stock up!). I've a relative who has swapped out all outside lighting with those suckers as well as several task lights inside, and has cut the electric bill by a third (more, actually, since he is home more of late and still paying less!).

I don't like paying these bastards any more than I have to. I'd love to go "off the grid" but like many of us, it ain't practical now. If I had to, though, I'd survive--I'm determined that way!

[orleans]

19. sounds like an easy bake oven

it has a little lite bulb (maybe comes with some crappy "cake mix" too--

[CanuckAmok]

7. That was fuckng GREAT!!

Just fucking bust the landlord's head!! I love it!!!!

[yvr girl]

9. Can you come over and complain for me

I've been meaning to whine about my electrical situation for two years, and I haven't done it yet.

[CanuckAmok]

10. well, it's hard writing letters of complaint in the dark.

n/t

[yvr girl]

12. Not quite the issue

I only have one 3-prong outlet. The rest are 2-prong. It's completely scary how much I have plugged into the one special outlet. One extension cord, three power bars, nine plus items.

[CanuckAmok]

14. it's an easy swap...

http://electrical-online.com/howtoarticles/receptacle.htm

http://doityourself.com/electric/replacingwalloutlet.htm

[yvr girl]

15. I got electrocuted once, so I'm a little cautious when it comes to

electricity.

So the ground isn't hooked up to anything?

[CanuckAmok]

18. Yeah...

the ground is supposed to be hooked up to something which is "grounded". Usually the electrical box is attached to a copper pipe or some metal flashing in the wall.

[yvr girl]

20. Interesting

If I don't call the landlord, I might need to get adventurous.

[CanuckAmok]

21. well...you don't like "routine".

Maybe it'll open some new doors for you.

Land or crash, you know.

[yvr girl]

23. Sure, use my own words against me

[CanuckAmok]

8. I've got something nice and warm for you, right here...

[yvr girl]

11. Nice fireplace

But it would be much better if I had someone to snuggle up with. (Purrr)

[Blue-Jay]

17. Could it be because.......

YOU LIVE IN FRIGGIN' CANADA?!?!?!

(Kidding of course. I love Canada and can't wait to get back for a visit.)