Other than good basic heat (don’t want air temp too warm though), comfy sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants (my normal outfit anyway). And a heated throw. Sometimes a heated blanket or mattress pad but mostly use just to preheat bed then turn it off unless chilly in early morning.
@heartny I was lucky enough to go to Iceland with my daughter last year and I wish I could find what kind of comforters they use. they are the most comfiest, snuggliest puffiest comforters I have ever had the joy of being upon my body…wait, that sounds really wrong
@candiedisilvio1@heartny if you were at a nice place, most likely just a high-quality pure down comforter. They come in so many different weights and quality grades, and like anything that can sell at a high price there are some doubtful products out there. A reputable brand in medium or heavy weight will cost quite a bit.
I’ll admit that even in Summer I use a down comforter, I’d say medium weight. (By weight I mean thickness and fill power, not actual weight — surprising how light it still can feel). It’s very comfy and oddly the way temperature insulation works with down is different than any polyester aka “down-alternative” which is BS. For winter if really chilly might also use a wool blanket. I’d highly recommend Pendleton blankets, made in a mill that is still running in the U.S., about a mile from my house.
Lots of fleecy clothes, sometimes layered up. Oil-filled space heaters, because my heating system isn’t adequate when it gets really cold (I hate it when all the objects and surfaces in the house are cold to the touch!) Snuggling with a big warm furry cat.
@Kyeh
The reason why we heat with a woodstove vs our gas-fired furnace or an outdoor wood-fired boiler is because of the radiant heat, which seems to warm us up so much deeply and overall more effectively makes the house comfortably warm.
Plus, we live in an 8±acre wooded lot and have to do something with the dead and damaged trees.
The emerald ash borer https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_ash_borer has given us a huge surplus of trees to cut up [the fallen and leaning trees] & down the ones that pose a big hazard to us or structures should they fall inadvertently- which they inevitably do if not proactively removed.
Best,
PA
@Kyeh@PhysAssist And as a note, the natural decomposition process ultimately releases the same amount of atmospheric carbon as combustion, albeit more slowly, and releases a higher level of methane. Fire is a part of the forest ecology; all you’re doing is moving it indoors and getting a little benefit from it yourself.
@PhysAssist My house has under-the-floor hot water heating, which ought to be good, but it’s also a very old system so I suspect it’s not working as well as it should. I have a pretty new on-demand hot water heater and my tap water is super hot, but on the coldest days those little heaters help a lot. I wouldn’t want a woodstove because I think I’m slightly allergic to wood smoke.
@Kyeh
I know that I can’t stand breathing it either, so we do our best to keep it going up the chimney.
Damn, that reminds me that I need to get up on the roof and clean the chimney…
@Kyeh@werehatrack
Thus, I rationalize the process, and thankfully, we lucked into ownership of a fairly efficient and [particularly important] low particulate emission woodstove.
It was here when we bought the property and although we have entertained changing it over to a coal stove [primarily to get away from the movement, procurement, storage, and processing of firewood] most of that motivation has been mitigated by the glut of dead ash trees we now find ourselves having to deal with- at least temporarily.
Speaking of which, I need to get off MY dead ash, and go work on clearing more of it away from our driveway.
TTFN,
PA
@Kyeh@PhysAssist@werehatrack Yes, I was also going to comment on higher-efficiency lower-smoke-emissions part of it. This isn’t super-new; has been around at least 30 years. But systems vary. Some used catalytic converters, which sounds complicated and expensive; have not used one of those.
But the 2 I’ve had experience with have a carefully-designed combustion airflow system that tries to pre-heat the incoming air and then use natural combustion airflow to essentially keep the same air/smoke circulating over the fire which also makes the fire burn easier and as mentioned you get a lot more heat out of it because you are maximizing the temp from the same amount of wood.
I got a house with an older one and it has simple airflow — air in bottom and to fire and out the top. Also firebox is way too big so it’s hard to build up good combustion temp — you actually want a smaller one in most cases. I thought yay, a big classic woodstove insert! and after using it a bit don’t know what to do, but really don’t use it. Think it weighs as much as a small car, and I’m thinking some parts of the base and side panels were welded-on in the house because I don’t see how anyone would get it in or out the door the way it is.
@Kyeh@pmarin@werehatrack
Wow, that sucks, and it doesn’t sound like there is a great option to improve it.
As I said, we lucked out by having the stove we ‘inherited’ which does have the secondary burning chamber with air tubes to promote re-burning of the hot exhaust gases above the primary fire box before they’re allowed to pass up to the chimney.
I wish you the best of luck figuring that all out…
PA
A BedJet for bedtime, radiators to keep the whole house warm, and come mid-February, my insulated hiking boots and Carhartt jacket for hauling girl scout cookies around with the eldest until spring arrives (season usually ends in early April)
@guyfromhawthorn I like radiators. I come from a long honorable line of radiator sitters. Of course sometimes you had to put a phone book under you butt so you didn’t burn your legs when you sat on the wooden cover over them.
Sleeping: buried in a cocoon under my big fat comforter in a very cold room.
Awake: jeans and sweat shirts. Comfort food like soups and stews. Hot tea which I only drink in cooler weather yet I drink hot coffee all year.
The secret to winter sleeping success is: bedroom window open at least a crack until its in the teens or colder. Normal sheet, not flannel; thin thermal blanket; another light sheet (to ‘close’ the thermal) and a wonderful Swedish Officers surplus wool blanket, twin size, weighs nearly 5 pounds. Perfection.
Hot cocoa, hot sweet English breakfast tea, occasionally with anisette toasts to dip. Hearty soups.
@tinamarie1974 I know! Its awesome. When it gets extra cold I may add a woobie (military poncho liner) between the thermal and the upper blanket, but its rarely needed.
I also inherited an Icelandic wool throw about 1/3 the weight and warmth of the Swedish wooly for the occasional 'holy cow its in the ‘60s or warmer out there’ winter days.
@duodec for me I changed the set up because of menopause, so several light layers, all breathable natural fibers. As I get hot at night I can peel them back and then throw them all back on once I get cold.
I keep a towel warmer in my living room w a basket of blankets next to it for me or my guests. Cold? Pop a blanket in the towel warmer. It is very cozy with a hot cuppa.
There’s a Japanese warning applied to their heated kotatsu tables (raised table, floor heater, tented in a thick quilt; kids and pets can hide underneath but adults can only fit half their bodies) - do not stay for over-extended periods of time or else you’ll never want to leave; it is a perfect combination of warm (your bottom half) and temperate (your top half).
@pakopako OHHHH - those are the best! Really great for family bonding! My mother took me to meet the relatives when I was 5 and we stayed with my grandmother who had one.
Hot apple cider for sure. Unpasteurized, because the potential for botulism is half the ambiance. Bonus points for cinnamon donut of some kind.
Other than good basic heat (don’t want air temp too warm though), comfy sweaters, sweatshirts, sweatpants (my normal outfit anyway). And a heated throw. Sometimes a heated blanket or mattress pad but mostly use just to preheat bed then turn it off unless chilly in early morning.
@pmarin low heat, high layers
Go to bed and hide under a big, fluffy comforter and flannel sheets.
@heartny flannel sheets, like cuddling a lumberjack
@jouest Not that there’s anything wrong with that, except maybe splinters
@heartny I was lucky enough to go to Iceland with my daughter last year and I wish I could find what kind of comforters they use. they are the most comfiest, snuggliest puffiest comforters I have ever had the joy of being upon my body…wait, that sounds really wrong
@candiedisilvio1 @heartny if you were at a nice place, most likely just a high-quality pure down comforter. They come in so many different weights and quality grades, and like anything that can sell at a high price there are some doubtful products out there. A reputable brand in medium or heavy weight will cost quite a bit.
I’ll admit that even in Summer I use a down comforter, I’d say medium weight. (By weight I mean thickness and fill power, not actual weight — surprising how light it still can feel). It’s very comfy and oddly the way temperature insulation works with down is different than any polyester aka “down-alternative” which is BS. For winter if really chilly might also use a wool blanket. I’d highly recommend Pendleton blankets, made in a mill that is still running in the U.S., about a mile from my house.
@candiedisilvio1 @heartny
Maybe eiderdown?
https://icelandicdown.com/product/eiderdown-comforter/#:~:text=Icelandic Eiderdown Comforter&text=The luxuriously soft%2C ethereally light,in perfect harmony with nature.
Seemed right to me, anyway.
PA
Lots of fleecy clothes, sometimes layered up. Oil-filled space heaters, because my heating system isn’t adequate when it gets really cold (I hate it when all the objects and surfaces in the house are cold to the touch!) Snuggling with a big warm furry cat.
@Kyeh
The reason why we heat with a woodstove vs our gas-fired furnace or an outdoor wood-fired boiler is because of the radiant heat, which seems to warm us up so much deeply and overall more effectively makes the house comfortably warm.
Plus, we live in an 8±acre wooded lot and have to do something with the dead and damaged trees.
The emerald ash borer https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_ash_borer has given us a huge surplus of trees to cut up [the fallen and leaning trees] & down the ones that pose a big hazard to us or structures should they fall inadvertently- which they inevitably do if not proactively removed.
Best,
PA
@Kyeh @PhysAssist And as a note, the natural decomposition process ultimately releases the same amount of atmospheric carbon as combustion, albeit more slowly, and releases a higher level of methane. Fire is a part of the forest ecology; all you’re doing is moving it indoors and getting a little benefit from it yourself.
@PhysAssist My house has under-the-floor hot water heating, which ought to be good, but it’s also a very old system so I suspect it’s not working as well as it should. I have a pretty new on-demand hot water heater and my tap water is super hot, but on the coldest days those little heaters help a lot. I wouldn’t want a woodstove because I think I’m slightly allergic to wood smoke.
@Kyeh
I know that I can’t stand breathing it either, so we do our best to keep it going up the chimney.
Damn, that reminds me that I need to get up on the roof and clean the chimney…
@Kyeh @werehatrack
Thus, I rationalize the process, and thankfully, we lucked into ownership of a fairly efficient and [particularly important] low particulate emission woodstove.
It was here when we bought the property and although we have entertained changing it over to a coal stove [primarily to get away from the movement, procurement, storage, and processing of firewood] most of that motivation has been mitigated by the glut of dead ash trees we now find ourselves having to deal with- at least temporarily.
Speaking of which, I need to get off MY dead ash, and go work on clearing more of it away from our driveway.
TTFN,
PA
@Kyeh @PhysAssist @werehatrack Yes, I was also going to comment on higher-efficiency lower-smoke-emissions part of it. This isn’t super-new; has been around at least 30 years. But systems vary. Some used catalytic converters, which sounds complicated and expensive; have not used one of those.
But the 2 I’ve had experience with have a carefully-designed combustion airflow system that tries to pre-heat the incoming air and then use natural combustion airflow to essentially keep the same air/smoke circulating over the fire which also makes the fire burn easier and as mentioned you get a lot more heat out of it because you are maximizing the temp from the same amount of wood.
I got a house with an older one and it has simple airflow — air in bottom and to fire and out the top. Also firebox is way too big so it’s hard to build up good combustion temp — you actually want a smaller one in most cases. I thought yay, a big classic woodstove insert! and after using it a bit don’t know what to do, but really don’t use it. Think it weighs as much as a small car, and I’m thinking some parts of the base and side panels were welded-on in the house because I don’t see how anyone would get it in or out the door the way it is.
@Kyeh @pmarin @werehatrack
Wow, that sucks, and it doesn’t sound like there is a great option to improve it.
As I said, we lucked out by having the stove we ‘inherited’ which does have the secondary burning chamber with air tubes to promote re-burning of the hot exhaust gases above the primary fire box before they’re allowed to pass up to the chimney.
I wish you the best of luck figuring that all out…
PA
I’ll wear short sleeves instead of sleeveless
afterall, the closest we get to cold is usually around 50-60F at night
Layers, in the parts of January and February that merit such. And hot tea, hot cocoa, and hot soup.
A BedJet for bedtime, radiators to keep the whole house warm, and come mid-February, my insulated hiking boots and Carhartt jacket for hauling girl scout cookies around with the eldest until spring arrives (season usually ends in early April)
@guyfromhawthorn I like radiators. I come from a long honorable line of radiator sitters. Of course sometimes you had to put a phone book under you butt so you didn’t burn your legs when you sat on the wooden cover over them.
Bourbon.
@llangley taming a Wild Turkey?
@phendrick more like Tracing Buffalo to Knob Creek!
@llangley @phendrick (Based on woodstove discussion in previous post) also make sure to get some firewood from the Woodford pile out back.
Sleeping: buried in a cocoon under my big fat comforter in a very cold room.
Awake: jeans and sweat shirts. Comfort food like soups and stews. Hot tea which I only drink in cooler weather yet I drink hot coffee all year.
Tauntaun.
@capnjb Presumably the sleeping bag, since the others are on planet-wide import ban due to their smell.
@werehatrack I’ve got a guy.
@capnjb @werehatrack
No one bred up a less odoriffic variety?
The secret to winter sleeping success is: bedroom window open at least a crack until its in the teens or colder. Normal sheet, not flannel; thin thermal blanket; another light sheet (to ‘close’ the thermal) and a wonderful Swedish Officers surplus wool blanket, twin size, weighs nearly 5 pounds. Perfection.
Hot cocoa, hot sweet English breakfast tea, occasionally with anisette toasts to dip. Hearty soups.
@duodec cracked window - check!
Sheets - Linen, not flannel sheets
Multi blanket stuff - check!
Ssooo cozy
@tinamarie1974 I know! Its awesome. When it gets extra cold I may add a woobie (military poncho liner) between the thermal and the upper blanket, but its rarely needed.
I also inherited an Icelandic wool throw about 1/3 the weight and warmth of the Swedish wooly for the occasional 'holy cow its in the ‘60s or warmer out there’ winter days.
POPSOCKETS! COURT DOCKETS! FOLK ROCK HITS! AWESOME!
@duodec for me I changed the set up because of menopause, so several light layers, all breathable natural fibers. As I get hot at night I can peel them back and then throw them all back on once I get cold.
That wool throw sounds nice!
I keep a towel warmer in my living room w a basket of blankets next to it for me or my guests. Cold? Pop a blanket in the towel warmer. It is very cozy with a hot cuppa.
@tinamarie1974 What a great idea!
There’s a Japanese warning applied to their heated kotatsu tables (raised table, floor heater, tented in a thick quilt; kids and pets can hide underneath but adults can only fit half their bodies) - do not stay for over-extended periods of time or else you’ll never want to leave; it is a perfect combination of warm (your bottom half) and temperate (your top half).
https://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3181
@pakopako OHHHH - those are the best! Really great for family bonding! My mother took me to meet the relatives when I was 5 and we stayed with my grandmother who had one.