It's 3am. As far as my nifty, energy-saving programmable thermostat knows, I'm cozily tucked in bed. That means, according to my ever-so-wise digital guardian, that I am sleeping next to a human radiator, covered by a comforter, without the need of heated air. Thing is, I'm not. I'm sitting at my computer. And I'm cold. It's snowing out. It's bright and beautiful, the cars and trees outside made soft and with a coating of late December's shimmer, and I should be happy. I am not. I have two different slippers on because it was dark when I got up and I didn't want to wake my co-sleeper, and I'm sitting at the kitchen table typing too fast in order to keep my fingers from snapping off. I suddenly feel a wave of guilt about the dog. Why didn't she tell us that keeping the house at 55 degrees while we slept was barbaric? Maybe I'm glad Golden Retrievers can't talk. Strike that. I'm definitely glad. She knows too much.
When I snuck downstairs at first, I thought the hooded sweatshirt would be enough, along with my thick fleece-lined sweat pants covered with dog hair. (It goes without saying that one ought not be seen at this hour). I felt giddy in that sneaky hour of the artist. The Artist's Way speaks of this moment, in fact, of the quiet before dawn, the moment when we allow our inner-most selves to awaken. But, um, how about the outerself? The ears? The palms (I've never noticed that palms could grow their own chill). I know what you're thinking. Bundle up. Or, get back to bed, fool. Okay, I don't know what you're thinking.
What I'm thinking is "How clever we are most nights!" I never realized we'd let the temperature drop this much. Ah, the money we must be saving. What a lark. And also this: Override! Now! Give me heat! I'm UP!
Comments
A couple of years ago, I purchased a programmable thermostat very similar to the Aube 30V. We woke to a warm house, let it cool down while we were at school and work, warmed it up when we were about to come home, let it cool down when we went to bed. On the weekends it kept the house warm all day. And overriding the pre-set temperature involves pushing just one button. Love it.
However, a representative from the gas company said we were using more energy by repeatedly heating up the house than we would be if we just kept it at one temperature. His argument was that the heat comes on in bursts to keep the house a constant temperature, whereas it must remain running for long stretches to raise the temperature 13 degrees in our 80-year-old house. And because the furnace does not go off until the house reaches the desired temperature, you end up over-heating the house, as the radiators continue to kick out heat for some time after the furnace shuts down.
I've asked two hardware store employees their opinions, and, of course, got conflicting advice, although both were well reasoned and logical.
So, which is it?
Posted by Tim on Dec 18, 2008 10:14amHi Tim
Thanks for your comment. In fact, almost everyone agrees that lowering the temperature in your house for a significant period of time more than makes up for any cost associated with bringing your house back up to your desired living temperature. (In fact, any cost of restoring the temperature is off-set by the energy saved allowing the temperature to drop in the first place).
People still raise this question, but most experts agree that programmable is the way to go. Just limit the Overrides!
For more on this, check out How Stuff Works, or Umbra Fisk on Grist.
Posted by Peggy on Dec 23, 2008 5:37am