An Arctic winter: ways of staying warm in the Northeast:

[cliss]

Several threads have predicted a freezing cold winter in the Northeast part of the US. As the temperature moves down, the price of oil has gone in the opposite direction: up.

In just a few months, the wholesale price of oil has almost doubled. This spells disaster for the millions on the east coast who are having trouble paying their heating bill.

As if that wasn't bad enough, thanks to Bush's bungled policies, jobs are harder to find.

There will be many people dangerously cold this winter.

Question: are there any alternatives to using heating oil if the money runs out? Here are some of my suggestions. Additional suggestions?

1) If you have to ration your oil, turn the thermostat down a few degrees. We keep ours at 55 degrees, sometimes 60 if people are cold. Wear warm clothes like wool sweaters, wool socks. They really keep you warm.

2) If your heat has run out, do NOT bring in the barbecue. People have actually done this, and have been found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. This is lethal. Charcoal briquettes give off carbon monoxide gas.

3) Down comforters are incredibly warm. They are not that expensive anymore, and they will keep you warm at night. Topped with a wool blanket, will be very effective.

4) Propane heater: places like Home Depot sell propane heaters for indoor use. You hook up a propane tank to a catalytic converter, and it heats the room. I have asked several people if this is safe to use indoors, and they've told me yes. Also the Home Depot people said that it's safe. Propane is actually an inexpensive fuel, so this could be an alternative. Has anyone used this?

5) In the old days, people would sleep with their livestock because they were so warm. However, I don't recommend sleeping between 2 cows. Other than bringing your dog with you to bed, this plan is out.

6) Stay healthy. Eat really nutritious foods like home-cooked soups, casseroles, fresh veggies. Avoid the junk food. You'll stay healthy and not catch a cold when the temperature drops. Skip smoking & drinking alcohol. It's a budget buster, anyway.

7) Get exercise. The temperature always seems colder when you are sitting still. If you get out and take a walk every day, your circulation will be better, and those frozen popsicle toes and fingers will be warmer.

8) Any other suggestions?

[slappypan]

1. do some baking

You get something inexpensive and delicious to eat, and it warms up the kitchen.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

2. My favorite thing for cold feet is a disc that you put in the microwave

called Snugglesafe, I think. It's really to put under a pet's bed. I bought one for my older cat and tried it myself. It was so nice, I bought her a heated bed and kept the disc for my use. I take it to bed because my feet are always frozen. I also got some fleece lined slippers. They work well.

The exercise thing is true. Since I moved way up North, I've found that getting out and exercising really gives you a better attitude about winter. Now I like winter as much as summer and fall, but am not as thrilled about "mud season."

[Alleycat]

3. Wrap for water heater

Use an insulated wrap. I think you can find these at home improvement stores. They wrap around water heater to keep water warmer longer so the furnace doesn't have to kick on so much to heat the water back up.

[jdots]

4. I grew up in New England

which gets a shit load colder than Old England. i once asked my dad ( Mr. Thrifty) if it was normal to ice formations on the inside of windows. I once painted a room in an apartment flat black and it soaked in the sunlight. Ugly but effective food for warmth
WHEAT GERM in the morning , the ski patrols did this

[yvr girl]

5. snuggle with a loved one

You get to stay warm and there are other fringe benefits.

Also, seal up your windows and doors. Weather stripping and other items to prevent drafts.

[skygazer]

6. Seal your windows with plastic

Hang heavy drapes as well. Both provide a dead air space that insulates. Put hay or some other bulky insulator around your foundation. Hope for snow - bare ground is colder than that which is unsulated by deep snow.

[cliss]

7. Thanks everyone, for really good suggestions.

The DU Lounge was the worst place to put this thread because it moves downstream very quickly. However, in about 1 week I'll re-post this in The Meeting Room where threads move very slowly.

I'll see if I can't transport the whole thread over.