Winter on the farm is always interesting. These last few weeks we have been really concentrating on 'conservation' of warmth. As the days became shorter and darker, our energy bill became larger and larger. Heating 'this old house' is easy and hard, all at the same time. We warm the house through electric heat, heat from the wood burning stove and heat from the gas furnace (that replaced the previous fuel oil furnance).
Electric: The newer part of the house is kept warm through baseboard, electric heaters. Each room has a dial that allows you to regulate the temperature of that room. On the dial, there are two arrows and between the two arrows, the words "Comfort Zone" are written. If you turn the dial to the left, passed the sound of a "click", the heaters are off. The only "room" we have the heater turned off in is the hallway between the boy's playroom, the main bathroom and the kitchen. The boy's playroom (old bedroom) is kept pretty darn cool. Therefore, our kitchen has become a main playing area. For the most part, in the winter months, their room is basically for toy storage and clothes storage-- with me quickly running in to pick out their clothes for the day or jammies for night before I get too "chilled to the bone" (a phrase I am often saying in the winter months)! In the main bathroom, we keep the dial just within the "Comfort Zone" (on the cooler end of "comfort.") If you go out of the "Comfort Zone", your comfort is definitely reduced by the feeling of the cold, tile floor on your tootsies and the very cold toilet seat on your bum.
Wood Burning Stove: Farmer J has been busy (with help from family) cutting up and stacking wood in the barn. Most of the wood in the barn now will burn better next year (once it has had time to dry up). A tree close to the road was taken down by the town officials- which will also be cut up and stored away in the barn. Next year, we will be set for dry wood (and cheap heat). The benefit of heating the house with the wood burning stove is the upstair bedrooms get quite warm (hence, why we moved the boys' bedroom upstairs). However, if J is not around, or we are low on dry wood, we are pretty darn cold upstairs. Luckily, we have lots of warm quilts and down comforters. Initially, its cold getting into bed but by morning, we are all warm and cozy under the big pile of bedding. And... the boys can snuggle with each other and I have Farmer J.
Gas Furnace: The gas furnace is relatively new (and this is the first winter we have had it.) We keep the thermostat set in the low 60's. I remember when I lived at home (and other apartments where I didn't pay the heating bill) and I'd crank the thermostat up to 70! Yeah, not doing that anymore!
Another change to the farmhouse will be coming in a week or so. The current hot water heater has gone cah-put! In the morning, one person can take a very brief shower. After lunch, we can run the dishwasher. In the afternoon, another person can take a very brief shower. And before bed, the boys can take a hot bath (with less water than typical). Laundry is on cold/cold! I never thought I'd be so excited for a new hot water heater to be installed. But... good things come to those who wait-- the new tank will hold 65 gallons (instead of 50). I'll be able to wash my hair AND shave my legs in one shower! I'm already excited for 2014!!
One of many benefits we have gained from renting our first "farmhouse" has been the education that comes with living first hand in an old home. When the time comes to move on, we will be much more educated on what to look for in our next home. We will also be able to much more realistically budget heating expenses and continue to learn how we can continue to "conserve 'warmth."
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