# Northern Dopers, have you turned your heat on yet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 19, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898 "2014-09-19T02:12:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/101 "2014-10-04T19:12:06Z")
My heat has been turned on intermittently for the last week or so, at night. I remember as a kid that it would sometimes snow on Halloween. This was considered an early snow. This morning, for a few hours, it was snowing in Chicagoland. (It didn’t stick.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/848f3c/32.png) [@The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Holdsworth_Effect)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/102 "2014-10-04T21:01:14Z")
Quote from JohnnyLA-“We’ll see how long the wood lasts. I’m guessing we went through less than a cord last year, burning about half of the bought cord at the end. It was a _lot_ of work stacking the wood. But I had to make a place for the three stacks by putting down gravel and laying pavers --” We’re south of Port Townsend, from where you can SEE Canad-ah. I agree about the wood being work- but as an expat NewEnglander that’s normal- it warms you at LEAST twice. Cutting it (I never did that), cut to length with a PTO huge saw, stack 5-6 cords in shed, split later, fill woodbox, repeat the last next day (This was RI pre global warming). Here I like to stack the back porch pile myself so all the ends can be even/flush ;0) but have been able to control that bit of OCD when my strapping SIL does it (he is the bringer of wood, as well). A corollary, maybe a new thread? When do you put snow tires on? We have a tire store that will take chains back if you don’t use them 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/103 "2014-10-04T21:15:43Z")
> [@The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](#): > > We’re south of Port Townsend, from where you can SEE Canad-ah… Here I like to stack the back porch pile myself Hey, I can see Saturna Island from my house! 😛 (And I can see White Rock if I go around Birch Point.) We have a stack of wood next to the fireplace. When it gets cold enough, I’ll make a stack of wood outside the back door where it’s dry. It will dry off by the time we get through the inside wood. > [@The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](#): > > When do you put snow tires on? We have a tire store that will take chains back if you don’t use them 😉 I don’t use snow tires. The Cherokee handles the snow well. ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy_PickleSniffer)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/104 "2014-10-04T21:44:14Z")
We got an inch of snow during the night last night. Warmed up to 40ºF today so it melted, but my heat is on. Feels good after such a hot summer to be able to curl up under a quilt for warmth. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/105 "2014-10-04T22:37:06Z")
Lows around 40 for the next few nights and rainy, so I just closed windows and set my heat to 60. It was too cold and damp inside when I got up this morning, brrr. The one thing I miss about my last house: a big fireplace with a blower. Wood is stupid-cheap here (delivered cords for about $150) and I’d go through 1-2 cords a winter. I’ve looked into installing a wood-burning stove or fireplace here but to do it right and to code is quite expensive. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/106 "2014-10-04T22:46:00Z")
My town’s low reached 38F last week. Still no need to run the heat. But my apartment is on the 2nd of 3 floors and in a middle unit. Normally when it gets cold, I turn on the gas fireplace long before using the heat. It warms up the open-plan main room very nicely. I don’t like a warm bedroom, and I keep the window cracked on all but the coldest days. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/107 "2014-10-05T01:10:51Z")
NE Ohio. Just turned ours on today for the first time this fall; it’s cold (46 degrees F) and rainy out. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/108 "2014-10-05T17:46:15Z")
I finally did this morning when I woke up freezing (actually, the bedroom temperature was 65 degrees, but that’s about 5 less than it has been and it felt very cold). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/109 "2014-10-06T01:44:48Z")
We took the AC unit out of the window today. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/110 "2014-10-06T12:44:56Z")
Temp has dropped some & we are getting frost/fog on the windows, but still no. Its cold enough to start wearing wool when going to bed, but that costs a lot less than a huge utility bill. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/111 "2014-10-06T12:58:08Z")
Finally lit the gas heater this morning. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/112 "2014-10-06T13:52:02Z")
Saw something depressing when I went outside last night - my breath & it was 63° _in_ the house this morning, so it might be coming on soon. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/113 "2014-10-06T14:38:41Z")
I turned off the AC a couple of weeks ago and regretted it on one night and today I’m sitting in my office wrapped in a blanket and wearing actual socks. It’s still only 18 degrees in the house and I’ll only set it at 19 anyway so I’ll hold on a couple days through the adjustment period. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/114 "2014-10-06T14:50:53Z")
61 degrees Amurrican in the house this morning (Southern Ontario), and the wife is huddled around the laptop for warmth while working from home. Tonight I’ll be taking the air conditioner out of the window and changing the furnace filter in preparation for starting her up. Back in my single days I used to make November 1st the target for turning the furnace on. Some years I was able to make it! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/115 "2014-10-06T15:38:54Z")
Last night, I turned the thermostat from off to heat. It’s set for 62° at night, so it didn’t come on, but at 6:45 when it bumped up to 65°, the furnace fired up, filling the house with first-heat-of-the-year stink. But it didn’t cycle back on again. I’ve since turned it off and opened the house - it’s supposed to get into the 70s this afternoon. From the long-range forecast, I doubt I’ll need to turn it back on in the next 10 days. Then we’re going to FL for a week, so it should stay off the whole time we’re gone. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/116 "2014-10-06T15:41:32Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > \ the furnace fired up, filling the house with first-heat-of-the-year stink. \ That’s a special smell, isn’t it? Smells like autumn to me! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/117 "2014-10-06T15:52:27Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > That’s a special smell, isn’t it? Smells like autumn to me! 😃 That slightly oily, burnt-dust smell that fills the house with the first blast of warm air–not as pleasant as dead maple leaves, but just as evocative of the time of year. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/118 "2014-10-06T17:03:26Z")
This wasn’t that pleasant autumn smell - this was, I think, burning residue from whatever our furnace guy used to clean and service the burners in July. I’m hoping the next time it’s on, it smells better. ---
**Author:** ![minionkat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@minionkat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minionkat)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/119 "2014-10-06T18:06:17Z")
I just closed my last window yesterday. I am going to take the air conditioners out tomorrow. No heat yet. I don’t think I will make it until November 1 this year, but as always, I am going to try. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898/120 "2014-10-06T23:03:09Z")
No, not yet. The house has yet to fall below the mid-60s for any length of time, so it isn’t needed so far. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/northern-dopers-have-you-turned-your-heat-on-yet/698898.md?page=7)