# People That Refuse To Turn The Heat (Or A/C) On "Out Of Principle" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 9, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235 "2012-10-09T17:54:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/41 "2012-10-09T22:23:22Z")
> [@Library\_Boy](#): > > You do realize that this started because of people who would not turn on the heat/air because it was not time yet, not because they could not afford it? I don’t know why you think they’re mutually exclusive. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/42 "2012-10-09T22:45:29Z")
Oh, for fuck’s sake. Only on the dope would someone jump into this thread to say “won’t you think about the destitute and those who can’t heat their homes???” Of course that isn’t who the OP is referring to. We all feel terrible for folks who are that poor. She’s talking about that guy down the street worth a ton of money who won’t turn on the AC until July, just because it’s the way he’s always done it. The guy who keeps his house at 55 degrees all winter because its how his dad did it, or because he likes to paint himself as a hardass. They’re annoying as fuck and we hate to visit them. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/43 "2012-10-09T22:51:50Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Oh, for fuck’s sake. Only on the dope would someone jump into this thread to say “won’t you think about the destitute and those who can’t heat their homes???” Of course that isn’t who the OP is referring to. We all feel terrible for folks who are that poor. > > She’s talking about that guy down the street worth a ton of money who won’t turn on the AC until July, just because it’s the way he’s always done it. The guy who keeps his house at 55 degrees all winter because its how his dad did it, or because he likes to paint himself as a hardass. They’re annoying as fuck and we hate to visit them. You inferred a lot more than what was in the OP. Perhaps that specific situation is what the OP meant, but that wasn’t at all clear. Particularly as her subsequent posts failed to clarify that at all, which is why I suspect she wasn’t talking about only that exact situation. I was merely pointing out that people might adhere to a heating schedule BECAUSE of limited finances. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/44 "2012-10-09T22:51:52Z")
I am one of these people. It’s not that I can’t afford to turn on the heat. It’s just that I’m very frugal (aka cheap). There’s also the matter of consistency, and my brain treasures consistency over comfort. Like, right now my thermastat says it’s 67 degrees. That feels cold since just a couple of days ago it was in the 80s. However, if it was March and we were just coming out of the winter instead of the summer, 67 degrees wouldn’t be cold. It would be warm! I would be turning off the heat, not turning it back on. I want my body to toughen up and acclimate, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Library\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Library\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Library_Boy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/45 "2012-10-09T22:55:51Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > I don’t know why you think they’re mutually exclusive. They may not be in the world, but they are in the scope of the OP. Which is kind of what the thread is about. Does your halo ever get heavy, or do you have one of the new, lightweight models? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/46 "2012-10-09T23:05:02Z")
> [@Library\_Boy](#): > > They may not be in the world, but they are in the scope of the OP. Which is kind of what the thread is about. Is it? Then why does the OP ask all of the following: > [@](#): > > I don’t get it. Why does a date on the calendar decide when it’s okay to be comfortable in your own home? Do these people live alone, or are there others in the house that must suffer because the master has decided they can’t be warm (or cool)? What is this whole thing about? She asks what it’s about. I offered an explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Library\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Library\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Library_Boy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/47 "2012-10-09T23:16:31Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Is it? Then why does the OP ask all of the following: > > She asks what it’s about. I offered an explanation. And the thread she linked to in asking provided the context. So, must be one of the new lightweight ones. Carry on, official Person Who Cares. Also, to the OP: Did you ever think about people who physically can’t change their thermostats? Maybe their thermostat care-taker can only come twice a year to switch it. Did you ever think of that, wrapped up in your own inconsiderate, able-bodied-thermostat-changing world? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/48 "2012-10-09T23:21:00Z")
Another factor: In some houses, it may be necessary to clean out the furnace and ducts before turning it on for the first time in the season. You plan a date for doing that based on when you _think_ it’ll get cold, but maybe you’ll be unlucky and it’ll get cold before then. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/49 "2012-10-09T23:29:22Z")
> [@Library\_Boy](#): > > And the thread she linked to in asking provided the context. The linked thread provides no more additional context than what’s in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/50 "2012-10-09T23:35:20Z")
So, related question: if you don’t have a programmable thermostat, I’ve seen someone on this board say it’s less wear and tear on the heating system if you just leave it on all the time instead of making it work to bring the temperature up? I ask because the thermostats in my apartment are kinda persnickety, and it takes forever for the living room (being one room connected to the kitchen and all) to heat up, made worse by the fact that the heating vent is kinda old, and only about 3’ x 2’ or so. Without heat, the temperature in my apartment goes below 50 in the dead of winter. I could just spend all my time in my much smaller (and thus easier to heat) bedroom, but that still leaves the question of what to do with the heat THERE when I go to work; besides, putting all the strain on one decade old-plus heater probably isn’t the best idea. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/51 "2012-10-09T23:37:34Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > The linked thread provides no more additional context than what’s in the OP. You’re being deliberately obtuse, and its a pain in the ass for those of us who know perfectly well what she was talking about. Unless you honestly think that the OP is so dumb that she doesn’t realize there are people in this world who can’t afford to heat their homes. Is that honestly what you thought? Really? Maybe we could berate her for not thinking of those people without fingers, the ones who can’t grasp the thermostat dial. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/52 "2012-10-09T23:40:34Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > You’re being deliberately obtuse, and its a pain in the ass for those of us who know perfectly well what she was talking about. Unless you honestly think that the OP is so dumb that she doesn’t realize there are people in this world who can’t afford to heat their homes. Is that honestly what you thought? Really? Then explain why when I asked her “Is it not a financial issue?” she responds with > [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Maybe. Seems pretty silly, still- I picture someone standing in there house shaking and saying, “I’m not turning the heat on out of p-p-p-principle!” ---
**Author:** ![Library\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Library\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Library_Boy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/53 "2012-10-09T23:40:40Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > The linked thread provides no more additional context than what’s in the OP. Ok, I’ll try one more time. From the linked thread: “My house is freezing and I refuse on principle to turn the heat on for at least another week.” Lack of money is reason, but not really a principle. If I have $5 in my bank account and a maxed-out credit card, I can’t say I’m not buying the new iPhone 5 on principle. I’m not buying it because I can’t afford it. If I can afford it, then I can claim that the reason I’m not buying it is on some principle, like factory workers rioting over map errors. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![Library\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Library\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Library_Boy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/54 "2012-10-09T23:41:45Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > You’re being deliberately obtuse, and its a pain in the ass for those of us who know perfectly well what she was talking about. Unless you honestly think that the OP is so dumb that she doesn’t realize there are people in this world who can’t afford to heat their homes. Is that honestly what you thought? Really? > > Maybe we could berate her for not thinking of those people without fingers, the ones who can’t grasp the thermostat dial. Hey, I already did that! ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/55 "2012-10-09T23:42:15Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Then explain why when I asked her “Is it not a financial issue?” she responds with Because she’s clarifying that she’s talking about people who do it on principle, not for financial reasons? ETA: Sorry, Library Boy. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/56 "2012-10-09T23:43:26Z")
> [@Library\_Boy](#): > > Ok, I’ll try one more time. > > From the linked thread: “My house is freezing and I refuse on principle to turn the heat on for at least another week.” > > Lack of money is reason, but not really a principle. If I have $5 in my bank account and a maxed-out credit card, I can’t say I’m not buying the new iPhone 5 on principle. I’m not buying it because I can’t afford it. If I can afford it, then I can claim that the reason I’m not buying it is on some principle, like factory workers rioting over map errors. Or something. You can have principles based on other factors. It’s entirely possible to have, in this case, a heating schedule on principle that arose from financial matters. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/57 "2012-10-09T23:44:26Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Because she’s clarifying that she’s talking about people who do it on principle, not for financial reasons? She didn’t though. And they’re again not necessarily mutually exclusive. ---
**Author:** ![minionkat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@minionkat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minionkat)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/58 "2012-10-09T23:44:49Z")
Every year, I try to make it until November 1st before I turn the heat on. Last year, I made it until October 26th. When it is on, I set it at 61. That is plenty warm for me. I am comfortable. I know other people find it cold. I turn it up if I am having company. I grew up in a huge house with very high ceilings. It was very much a “put a sweater on” house in the winter. I can’t imagine trying to heat that house. I know my parents paid for heating oil all year. I can afford to keep my house warmer, but I am only up and inside for less than an hour before work, away all day. Having grown up in a cool house (probably 68, I should ask my Mom) I am just more comfortable that way as an adult. Sweaters, fuzzy socks, a snuggly blanket and a pot of tea in the evenings, I am fine. I have two duvets on my bed. And a quilted blanket. It’s like a nest. I love it. The summer is another thing completely. If I am sweaty in the house, the AC is on. You can always put on another sweater or blanket, but you can only get so naked. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/59 "2012-10-09T23:46:40Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > She didn’t though. And they’re again not necessarily mutually exclusive. Yes she did, and that’s ridiculously pedantic. People who don’t have enough money don’t deprive themselves of comfort on principle. They do it because they don’t have enough money. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235/60 "2012-10-09T23:46:47Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > She’s talking about that guy down the street worth a ton of money who won’t turn on the AC until July, just because it’s the way he’s always done it. The guy who keeps his house at 55 degrees all winter because its how his dad did it, or because he likes to paint himself as a hardass. I can afford to heat and cool my house, but as I posted above, I choose not to because I am outside a lot and it is more comfortable to be acclimated. That isn’t a ‘hardass’ thing. It’s a matter of lifestyle. > [@](#): > > They’re annoying as fuck and we hate to visit them. I can relate to this because I have friends that I can’t visit in Feb-Mar or over the summer months. By Feb-Mar, 80 degrees is like an oven to me and their houses are hot and dry, so it is really suffocating and hard to stand for very long. Then, over summer, they keep their house like a meat locker and can’t stand to step outside in the warmth (to them heat!!!), so unless I wear my winter gear, it is hard to be in their house for very long. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-that-refuse-to-turn-the-heat-or-a-c-on-out-of-principle/637235.md?page=4)