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Don't turn on the heat and other regional traditions

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Super_Ideal_Rock
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Feb 2, 2016
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There is frost on all the pants this morning and tomorrow is set to be 18 degrees during the day, despite this we have not turned on the heat. Our state has some of the highest electric rates in the country and yours truly happens to live in a house with electric heat ;(

Now to some this is crazy, just turn the heat on! No, because there is a certain pride that comes with holding out as long as possible, a sort of medal or honor that comes with suffering through it. I usually have a set date but I'll be happy to get to December 1st. In the meantime, extra layers, double socks and you will be greeted at my front door with me wearing a hat. This is sort of a known accepted tradition in New England.

Does your region have some sort of unspoken tradition? Something that outsiders would say is crazy but is just a way of life in your neck of the woods.
 
I would say that is crazy. :bigsmile: Like my grandma who is almost 96 will swelter in her house rather than turn on the air conditioner - when its 105 outside! We have talked her into using it in the past couple years though. I do the average billing over the year so it is not such a shock in the winter. We were in the teens this week until today and my heater has been on for weeks. :lol: I do keep it low though 65-66.
 
StephanieLynn said:
There is frost on all the pants this morning
Click to expand...
Blimey, it really must be cold! :D


I try to leave the heating off as long as possible to save money too - and the thermostat dial is set to around 11 degrees centigrade.

Having an open-plan living room/kitchen/dining room is quite useful, as one can shut the door to the rest of the place and keep the heat from cooking and the plasma TV in the room, so there's no need to put the heating on because we only go out the room to use the bathroom or snuggle into bed :)

I guess that's no different to 'the good old days', where the kitchen had the stove constantly burning coal/wood and the rest of the house was chilly!

Fortunately my apartment is fairly new, has concrete block and brick walls, and lots of insulation, so it retains heat well and also keeps the heat outside during summer.

I think last year I had the heating on for about two weeks in the middle of December - other than that, it's been off!
 
Our heating's been on for a few weeks now, my DH hates being cold.
 
Redwood, your grandmother is a gal after my own heart, still at 96 I'd say she has earned the right to use that air conditioner instead of suffering through it!

OooShiny, you are lucky to have a well insulated apartment and a floor plan that helps keep the heat in for sure! I wish we could get by with only a couple of weeks of heat but for us it's more like late November to sometimes March or April, our weather is really wonky.

Austina, I think DH has just accepted it but he would also rather be cold than hot so that helps.

Since some of you are aware that I have kids I just wanted to throw out there that the kids don't complain about being cold, my ten year old was in a t-shirt yesterday in fact. When they start complaining then I obviously give in, it occurred to me after I posted that some people may think that I'm letting the kids freeze so just wanted to add that disclaimer :)
 
Here in the southwest, there are alot of people who refuse to wear coats or jackets in winter. It's so weird.
Northern New Mexico is the high desert, and we get cold weather here, and some snow.
But yet you will see people out in just a t-shirt, even on the coldest days.
And sometimes they are with their kids, and the kid has no coat, either. Crazy.
 
I have three heating zones at our house (upstate NY.) If the temperature in any of the zones drops to 66, I put the heat on..lol.. I keep it at between 68-70.

In our apartment in the city, we also have electric with ridiculous rates. So like you, I hold out until we're cold in our sweaters and socks before turning the heat on.

Our heating bill (electric) for a 1 bedroom, is the same as our heating bill (propane) for an entire house... crazy.
Neither is energy efficient though.
 
18F is -8C, there is no way I'd not be having my heat on at that temp!! That is indeed crazy lol.
 
Stracci, maybe these people you are seeing are transplants from the colder states! What is the average temperature in New Mexico in the winter? I'm surprised to hear there is snow in the desert. People here in the Northeast are very stubborn, some of them don't wear hats or gloves unless the temp is below 20 and even then you will see people with no coat or anything else pumping gas in freezing temperatures.

Elle, I kind of wonder what the electric rates in NY are like compared to CT. Sometimes our electric bill for one month will be close to $500!! Hence my hesitation to turn on the heat! Glad to hear I'm not the only crazy one walking around in full gear to keep warm!

I hit reply before I saw your post Telephone, yes it is crazy I know. We will be out during the day tomorrow so either in the car or wherever we go will surely be warmer.
 
StephanieLynn said:
Stracci, maybe these people you are seeing are transplants from the colder states! What is the average temperature in New Mexico in the winter? I'm surprised to hear there is snow in the desert. People here in the Northeast are very stubborn, some of them don't wear hats or gloves unless the temp is below 20 and even then you will see people with no coat or anything else pumping gas in freezing temperatures.

Elle, I kind of wonder what the electric rates in NY are like compared to CT. Sometimes our electric bill for one month will be close to $500!! Hence my hesitation to turn on the heat! Glad to hear I'm not the only crazy one walking around in full gear to keep warm!

I hit reply before I saw your post Telephone, yes it is crazy I know. We will be out during the day tomorrow so either in the car or wherever we go will surely be warmer.
Click to expand...

We're a little less, generally between 400-450 a month. But our apartment is a large closet by most
non- nyc standards at only 700 sq ft.

My husband is one of the "stubborn" ones. He takes his coat off before getting in the car, and doesn't put it on to pump gas. Wears a hat only if I make him, and will run to the store in a pair of jeans and flip flops in the snow..lol..
 
Flip flops in the snow :eek-2: Wow that is impressive.

Our neighbors are a couple of hipsters and bought their first house a couple of years ago. First winter the guy is out there with like a spring jacket and loafers trying to shovel over a foot of snow. So needless to say we got a friend with a blower to help him out lol!
 
In my area we were all proud of our dead lawns during the drought. Now we’re proud of our mulch and drought resistant plants. Plenty of people still have lawns, but they’re water wasting heathens. Oh, we grow food in our front yards too. Many people planted fruit trees in their front yards...permaculture is big here. There was a time when that wasn’t allowed :shock:

The other weird tradition we got going in my area is the love for chickens. They have taken over the whole village and we have embraced it! We even have a festival for them every year! On one hand it’s really great to have chickens all over the place. There are some really beautiful ones and it feels good that we take care of them. On the other hand it sucks when a rooster comes out of nowhere and attacks your foot for no reason. I still have no idea what i did to him!
 
We turned the heat on this week. DH caved first which is surprising because he is usually warm pretty much everywhere we go. He adjusted the thermostat timer to be 65 overnight and 70 during the day.
 
StephanieLynn said:
Stracci, maybe these people you are seeing are transplants from the colder states! What is the average temperature in New Mexico in the winter? I'm surprised to hear there is snow in the desert. People here in the Northeast are very stubborn, some of them don't wear hats or gloves unless the temp is below 20 and even then you will see people with no coat or anything else pumping gas in freezing temperatures.
Click to expand...
No, they are not transplants, they are born n' raised here.
I think it's a machismo kind of thing.
It hovers around the 30s and 40s and it might snow 3 or 4 times all winter where I live. This state is so big, the weather really varies based in location.
In areas closer to Colorado, they get more moisture, so loads of snow, and very cold temps.
 
We have had Hotumn not autumn, last 2 days we have had some cool weather, hubster is whining about how cold it is. I'm from upstate NY and I love the cold. My bestie in Minnesota has had
snow 2x already! We don't have any tradition except to wait as long as we can stand it b4 turning on the heat.
 
I'm in CT and have had the heat on this week and any time prior to now when it was a little chilly! We have oil heat and also a wood stove, which we had going last week. Now, that is toasty warm. I've had the seat warmer on in my car for a few weeks now. My only regret is that I do not have a heated steering wheel. I just remembered I tried to turn on the floor warmer in my bathroom this morning, but I couldn't figure it out. My office is freezing right now. One of my lovely co-workers brought me back a chai tea. So good!

P.S. My husband and I routinely change the heat settings throughout the winter. Him down, me up. I find it more comical than he does.
 
House Cat said:
In my area we were all proud of our dead lawns during the drought. Now we’re proud of our mulch and drought resistant plants. Plenty of people still have lawns, but they’re water wasting heathens. Oh, we grow food in our front yards too. Many people planted fruit trees in their front yards...permaculture is big here. There was a time when that wasn’t allowed :shock:

The other weird tradition we got going in my area is the love for chickens. They have taken over the whole village and we have embraced it! We even have a festival for them every year! On one hand it’s really great to have chickens all over the place. There are some really beautiful ones and it feels good that we take care of them. On the other hand it sucks when a rooster comes out of nowhere and attacks your foot for no reason. I still have no idea what i did to him!
Click to expand...
OMG I have been to the chicken festival many many many times. And the theater festival. My G'ma still lives there (since the 30's) and my G'pa is/was? painted on the side of the amphitheater (he is one of the few who started it decades ago). I can remember the water shortages and watering your lawn on set days according to your side of the street. And don't get caught washing your car!!!
 
Really jealous of yall! It was 91 here earlier this week. A front came through and it's in the low 70s today. Back to 80 tomorrow. We NEVER use the heater. A few times a year we turn on the gas logs. Lol, our AC is almost never turned off and it will kick on when the gas logs are on. My kids get out their ski jackets when it gets to 60s! They swam in an unheated pool on Christmas day last year. Hate the weather in houston!
 
My traditions:
1. heater on when I get cold, thermostat set at 68;
2. purchase Kahlua to add to hot chocolate at the first sign of frost;
3. air conditioner on when I get hot.

I stop functioning physically when I get cold. Once I'm cold, it takes a long time for me to warm up. Layers of clothing don't help unless I keep moving. If I stop moving, I lose all my heat. I love living in an area with 4 distinct seasons but winter is difficult for me.
 
HI:

I doubt it is tradition or maybe it is for Canadians--I call it loco! But people wear shorts here a year round. Last year, in -30C, there was a fella at the bus stop...flannel coat and knee length shorts and hiking boots. It is "only" -6C here today but I saw a fella wearing shorts.

cheers--Sharon
 
StephanieLynn said:
There is frost on all the pants this morning and tomorrow is set to be 18 degrees during the day, despite this we have not turned on the heat. Our state has some of the highest electric rates in the country and yours truly happens to live in a house with electric heat ;(

Now to some this is crazy, just turn the heat on! No, because there is a certain pride that comes with holding out as long as possible, a sort of medal or honor that comes with suffering through it. I usually have a set date but I'll be happy to get to December 1st. In the meantime, extra layers, double socks and you will be greeted at my front door with me wearing a hat. This is sort of a known accepted tradition in New England.

Does your region have some sort of unspoken tradition? Something that outsiders would say is crazy but is just a way of life in your neck of the woods.
Click to expand...


Say what? It was like 50something here this morning and my neighbors were using the fireplace!!! Lol (Louisiana)
 
I still remember when I visited my family in the Chicago area last Thanksgiving (I now live in the south). Taking my brother's dog for a walk at the dog park with my brother and neice. I don't know how cold it was, but you could see your breath. While my brother has stopped because he ran into a friend, and they both keep talking. Neither of them are wearing jackets. I am wearing a jacket, but I don't have gloves on. I keep getting colder and more uncomfortable. Finally I say, well we need to go, it's cold out. They both look at me uncomprehensively. My brother "It's a little brisk, but it's not cold." And I say, "well I need to get inside." I remember as a teenager, in winter even, walking around in sneakers without socks. But now I can't handle it.
 
Housecat, your post about the chickens cracked me up and the attack rooster lol. I can't imagine having food growing in the front yard but I would prefer that to a lawn. We get a lot of foot traffic down our street so there would probably be a lot of vegetables taking a walk.

Mary Poppins sounds like you are living on an island at 70 compared to us!

Stracci, isn't it funny how you only really see young guys wearing shorts and sandals in the winter never women? Or at least I have never seen it but the young college guys it's like they think they look so cool.

Tekate, we have Augtober recently because it was so hot here just a couple of weeks ago, like you literally don't put your summer clothes away until December and even then you always leave a couple of short sleeved shirts just in case. Can't believe your friend has already had snow...no thanks to that!

Loves, we should really probably look into getting a wood stove, that would help so much. Funny that you guys have thermostat wars, my parents used to do the same thing except my dad was always turning it up!

ceg, we could always swap for the season, you come live here from December until April and I'll go to Houston. Seriously hate being cold so that works for me.

Matata, so agree about having four seasons, I also do not enjoy the cold but your Kahlua and hot chocolate, that is something I'll be adding to my winter survival kit!!

Canuk, that is just crazy although I do get a good chuckle out of the flannel coat and shorts, talk about a fashion statement there.

Whitewave, saw quite a few chimneys going this morning driving the kiddo to school, unfortunately no chimney for us and yes we are crazy.

partgypsy, I think we become less tolerant of things with age (not calling you old though) and it's just different things for different people, like crowds can't do them, I tend to take the same routes for things, try not to drive a night but I'm cheap so skimping on the heat until I can't tolerate that either lol!
 
You're so funny Stephani! That sounds like something I'd do but I hate being cold! We live in FL and the high school kids refuse to wear pants in
the winter. They all just say that once they're in the school they'll be hot. They also refuse to wear any jacket thicker than a hoodie. I need to
go get the kids new pants but I think I'm not buying them more than 2 pair each. They mostly end up not being worn.
 
I turn on the heat a few days ago. Temp set at 68'
 
StephanieLynn said:
There is frost on all the pants this morning and tomorrow is set to be 18 degrees during the day, despite this we have not turned on the heat. Our state has some of the highest electric rates in the country and yours truly happens to live in a house with electric heat ;(
Click to expand...
You gonna be a human popsicle..:lol:
 
Electricity here is priced according to time of use.

Lowest price being weekends and between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday to Friday.

So don't even think of turning on the dishwasher until the clock strikes 7! :naughty:

Since retiring, one would think it would be nice to just vacuum, throw clothes in the washer and turn on the dishwasher whenever I feel like it. Noooooo, still doing that stuff after 7 pm Mon-Fri or on weekends.
 
december-fire said:
Electricity here is priced according to time of use.

Lowest price being weekends and between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday to Friday.

So don't even think of turning on the dishwasher until the clock strikes 7! :naughty:

Since retiring, one would think it would be nice to just vacuum, throw clothes in the washer and turn on the dishwasher whenever I feel like it. Noooooo, still doing that stuff after 7 pm Mon-Fri or on weekends.
Click to expand...


Nice to do housework? Crazy Canuk! lolol:bigsmile::devil:;-)
 
I live in a period co-op apartment, old building, 3rd floor. The heat (hot water radiators) is centralized and included in the condo fees. But this also means I cannot control the temperature. So, the unit has been super toasty since the weather turned cooler. I actually have to leave the windows open sometimes, which I don't always enjoy. I do have my own AC so the warm months are not an issue.

Do carb binges count as a regional tradition?

Anne
 
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