Fighting DH over the thermostat

**daddys3chicks** · 10-26-2005, 10:24 AM

Okay, I set the thermostat back to 63 since it is cold enough here for the heat. It is getting into the 30s at night, but near 60 during the day. So, it only comes on at night.

DH keeps turning the darn thing off! Not only does it get WAY to cold in the house (as evidenced by my icy tea yesterday), but it makes it harder for me to get the kids up in the morning because they are freezing!

I also keep trying to tell him that we use less energy maintaining 63 degrees that continually trying to heat back up to that from 58!

Can I sell him?????

**nodmicks** · 10-26-2005, 11:07 AM

Men! However I now will quit complaing about my Dh. I've been gripping because he wants ours at 68 during the hours we are all here and I'm cold! Our is set to 60 I believe at night. 68 fifteen min b4 the kids get up. Then back lower until around 3pm.
I'm currently freezing but at least its not off.

**Early Bird** · 10-26-2005, 01:06 PM

My DH wants it warmer than I do!

**YankeeMom** · 10-26-2005, 01:15 PM

There are things in your house (electronics, water lines, etc) that should not be allowed to get below 59* or so. Maybe that line of thinking will convince him?

Also, is he even home during this time? If he's not home just turn it back on

**canadian gardener** · 10-26-2005, 02:00 PM

I'm with Yankee mom, what he doesn't know won't hurt him. Maybe get onto a few sites that do energy stuff. My local utility has a site, but I think every power company around does too.

He might listen more to "experts". Another "expert" might be the public health dept. Kids and elderly need it warmer, they aren't able to cope with cold as well.

Consider a double setback programmable thermostat and you learn to program it. If he changes it, just program it back. He might buy it when the "experts" at the energy sites tell him that you get the price back in savings within about 6 to 9 months, and some electric and gas companies offer rebates for such items.

Hopefully the "experts" on the sites you choose for him to read will all state that you really shouldnt' go below 60. For the reasons YM states above.

It takes more energy as you say, to yank it back up than keeping it at an even 62 at night, and 65 to 68 during the times you want it "warm".

Put long underwear on, seriously. The kids too. Dh and I used to put our kids to bed in long undies, then I discovered the sweatsuit fleece jogging suits and used them for years.

Fleece and quilted bootie slippers, and the kids were warm and stayed that way when they got up. Let them drag a comforter or blanket to wrap around them when watching TV or eating breakfast.

Hot baths at bedtime to bring the core temp up, and really bundle that heat in for bedtime. Helps the kids settle in a cold environment.

Hats and scarves help too. You lose most of your heat thru your head, so when you put the kids to bed, pop a knitted hat, something soft and warm on them.

Put a hot water bottle in everyones bed at bedtime (make them from literal water tight bottles if you have to) but the rubber ones (drugstores carry them cheap) are easiest to use.

Salvation army etc sell sleeping bags and comforters, wash them in hot hot water with bleach, and dry, then add up on the bed for extra warmth. put them in a duvet cover if they look awful.

**Mamaw** · 10-26-2005, 05:29 PM

We have the temp programmed to hit 70 at 5AM for rising and showers. Then at 8 it drops to 67 which is about the coldest I can stand it when working at home at a desk all day. At 7 pm it rises to 68 then back to 65 at 10:30 for the night.

I might try and drop it another degree of two for overnight but that is about all I can stand of the cold.

We used to leave it on all the time at 70 or 72 so this is an improvement for us. BUT...when DGD is here and the new baby, that heat will be turned up somewhat.

**sanderson76** · 10-27-2005, 10:19 AM

I have the opposite. I live in NC too, so I know what you are talking about weather wise. I tell the kids to tough it out..it will get warmer in a few days...however, DH is the one cutting on the heat..HA! I go behind him and cut it down...
It's a never ending battle. This weekend however, I am going to Home Depot and buying a digital one..we are going to decide on a temp, set it and leave it alone

We both agree that during the day it can go to around 55 degrees since we are both at work and the kids are at school

**Emerald_Mommy** · 10-27-2005, 11:04 AM

I also have the opposite problem. I set ours at 64 and Philip is continually edging it up. The girls aren't cold because I dress them warmly but he is cold natured so...

**Katybird** · 10-27-2005, 01:58 PM

My DH likes it warmer than I do too but I keep reminding him about our electric bills last winter so he is being better about leaving it alone. He is just dressing warmer and complaining less, LOL.

I am sure your DH will come around to your way of thinking.

**Scattymum** · 10-30-2005, 06:40 AM

LOL on trying to sell him!! We dont have thermostat on our heating ( at least I dont think we do!) I only have the heat on in the early morning before we get up, mainly to heat the water. DH keeps changing the timer to have it on in the evening or during the day ( saying he is cool - well he would be as he is wearing a tshrt!! put a jumper on!!)

its become a little battle here ( good natured though) I keep turning it off to try and save using the oil and he keeps turning it on!, its very mild here at the moment so we really dont need the house heated just yet, if its cool inthe evening we just light a fire.

**voodidit** · 10-30-2005, 06:12 PM

He knows better than to touch the thermostat unless I tell him too..lol.

**frugalfarmwife** · 10-31-2005, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by voodidit
He knows better than to touch the thermostat unless I tell him too..lol.

LOL, ditto here! With all the other bills and the cost of gas he knows I'll smack his fingers if he touches that thermostat! He knows that if it bugs him he can put on his long johns!

KJ

**pkellyc** · 10-31-2005, 11:16 AM

I have two daughters who will turn the thermostat up to 80 in the winter if left alone. I have a pogrammable theromostat, I program it and leave it. I am the only one here who knows its locked and the only one here who knows how to overide it. Sneaky I know but someone here has to be the voice of reason.