Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

theanti_girl t1_iy5hihk wrote

Reply to comment by Full-Supermarket in Feeling Superior Because the Heat is Still Off? You Might be a New Englander by wsj

I think the concern is… if it’s 50 inside the house, it’s probably NOT 50 outside the house and a lot of pipes are in exterior walls. So if the temp is low inside the house, the actual pipes can drop way below that temp (50 in this case) and get to freezing.

I’m saying this because years ago, I woke up to no heat during a blizzard and frozen pipes and it was a reeeeally shit-tastic few days.

12

celaritas t1_iy5zm6s wrote

This happened to me. It was - 15 with wind chills and a tiny air draft must have got through the wall and froze a pipe in the same room as my furnace! WTF! It happens.

6

theanti_girl t1_iy624o3 wrote

It’s the WORST! Waking up when you can see your breath… no thanks.

1

Full-Supermarket t1_iy5huht wrote

I’m heating upstairs around 73 but keeps downstairs 57 because I just work and stay upstairs. Wasn’t aware people keep it higher.

2

theanti_girl t1_iy5j08l wrote

Aha! 73 sounds super toasty and very comfy. If you have zone heating, you could always turn the heat on downstairs only and just let it travel up naturally. But, your house, your business. Either way, 73 sounds delightful.

2

Full-Supermarket t1_iy5jff6 wrote

I worked downstairs last winter. The heat didn’t travel upstairs at all. I’m loving upstairs working 😆 It says warm longer.

2

degggendorf t1_iy62wmb wrote

>So if the temp is low inside the house, the actual pipes can drop way below that temp (50 in this case) and get to freezing.

On top of that, the cabinets installed along those outside walls will further insulate the pipes from the warm inside air, allowing them to get cooler than you might think.

If you need/want to have your house get below 60ish, you might want to consider leaving cabinet doors open to help prevent freezing.

2