5 ms·

This winter I waited a lot with starting to heat, so I kept the place at around 16°C. Then when the first sub-zero days came I put it on, but I lowered the temp

This winter I waited a lot with starting to heat, so I kept the place at around 16°C. Then when the first sub-zero days came I put it on, but I lowered the temperature of the thermostats by 1 degree compared to last year. It's absolutely ok. Maybe it's good to do such a test for a while to see how you can adapt to it.

maxerickson 5y ago
It's good to keep in mind that heat loss depends on the temperature difference (Newton's law of cooling). When it's 15°C outside, heating to 16°C will take ~1/16 the energy that it takes to heat to 16°C when it is 0°C outside.
sometimeshuman 5y ago
Lower it by 1 more degree FTW. "Somewhat surprisingly, the researchers found that happiness is maximized at 57 degrees Fahrenheit." http://gymlion.com/what-temperature-makes-you-the-happiest/ http://gymlion.com/what-temperature-makes-you-the-happiest/
macNchz 5y ago
There's certainly a lot to be said for the ability to adapt over time to be comfortable at different temperatures. I think a lot of people have just become accustomed to a really narrow comfort range because it's possible and relatively affordable to do so. I get a taste of this as a runner every summer when my first few outings over 80F/27C are excruciating, but within a few weeks feel fine. I grew up in a big drafty old house that was typically around 62F/16.5C during the day and 55F/13C at night in the winter. We wore wool sweaters and had big down blankets and didn't think much about it. Visiting friends and family who kept their houses much warmer was actually really unpleasant–many nights spent laying awake on top of the covers, too hot to sleep. These days I live in a NYC apartment with overpowered radiators and a thermostat I don't control where it sometimes creeps up to 78F/25.5C inside until we have to open the windows. Now going back home to visit my parents is COLD! My hands go numb just sitting on the couch reading a book. Even my wife–who friends and family know as always being too cold–adapted in time to her rented attic room in grad school where it was often cold enough to see your breath in the morning. I'm into the idea of expanding my comfort zone but that was taking it a bit far for my taste!

maxerickson 5y ago

It's good to keep in mind that heat loss depends on the temperature difference (Newton's law of cooling). When it's 15°C outside, heating to 16°C will take ~1/16 the energy that it takes to heat to 16°C when it is 0°C outside.

sometimeshuman 5y ago

Lower it by 1 more degree FTW. "Somewhat surprisingly, the researchers found that happiness is maximized at 57 degrees Fahrenheit." http://gymlion.com/what-temperature-makes-you-the-happiest/ http://gymlion.com/what-temperature-makes-you-the-happiest/

macNchz 5y ago

There's certainly a lot to be said for the ability to adapt over time to be comfortable at different temperatures. I think a lot of people have just become accustomed to a really narrow comfort range because it's possible and relatively affordable to do so. I get a taste of this as a runner every summer when my first few outings over 80F/27C are excruciating, but within a few weeks feel fine. I grew up in a big drafty old house that was typically around 62F/16.5C during the day and 55F/13C at night in the winter. We wore wool sweaters and had big down blankets and didn't think much about it. Visiting friends and family who kept their houses much warmer was actually really unpleasant–many nights spent laying awake on top of the covers, too hot to sleep. These days I live in a NYC apartment with overpowered radiators and a thermostat I don't control where it sometimes creeps up to 78F/25.5C inside until we have to open the windows. Now going back home to visit my parents is COLD! My hands go numb just sitting on the couch reading a book. Even my wife–who friends and family know as always being too cold–adapted in time to her rented attic room in grad school where it was often cold enough to see your breath in the morning. I'm into the idea of expanding my comfort zone but that was taking it a bit far for my taste!