# Home heating question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 7, 2003, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-heating-question/159806 "2003-03-07T22:02:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-heating-question/159806/1 "2003-03-07T22:02:25Z")
In General would fuel usage be about the same for these 2 situations: 1 - Inside temp kept at 70F, outside temp averaging 40F 2 - Inside temp kept at 50F, outside temp averaging 20F If not which would use more, by how much apx, and why? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-heating-question/159806/2 "2003-03-07T23:31:49Z")
I wouldn’t think it would make a difference based on a first-order analysis. Here are other things to consider when doing a second-order analysis: 1. The R-value insulation is probably a function of absolute temperature. 2. Furnace efficiency is probably a function of absolute temperature. 3. Radiation losses (especially through windows) is a function of absolute temperature. What this all adds up to I don’t know…