keeping warm in the cold brrrrr?

Question

my furnace is running continuously non stop even after I put plastic bags and blankets on all my windows. I adjusted the little wheel inside my thermostat the thing that says longer on it and shorter. I will probably have to call my furnace man to come back out and check it out again. I was wondering if maybe because it is extremely cold outside it that has anything to do with it and maybe I shouldnt call him as of yet but wait it out until the end of the week when it becomes warmer. Right now it is below 0 outside and it will be only in the teens until later in the week. also is my gas bill going to soar up or the electric with things running constantly? Help, I need advice

Answer 1

When it is very cold, your furnace must work harder to maintain a livable temperature inside your house. If the windows leak and there is very little or no insulation and gaps have not be caulked, the furnace's task becomes that much harder. If your windows are drafty, purchase and apply an interior window covering which will help tremendously. It is basically a plastic film held in place with double backed tape (sticky on both sides) and made to fit snugly with a hair dryer. These are available at hardware stores and home centers. Yes, unfortunately your gas and/or electric bills will be higher in cold weather. Bear with it, the ground hog is predicting an early spring.

Answer 2

The little wheel you adjusted is tells the furnace how long to stay running after the selected temp has been reached. Basicly if you have a dial style thermostat (honeywell) you need to take it off the wall and very gently place it in any suitable container used for garbage. Before you do that go down to your local hardware store and buy a Electronic thermostat $30. They come with instructions on how to install them and it is very easy. There are only 3 or 4 wires depending on if you also have central air. If your furnace is older than I would say 1970 then I would check with your service man first. Also when you place the thermostat on the wall make sure it is not on an exterior wall where it could be getting drafts through the wall and tricking it and also you want to put it where the sun will not shine on it directly. The digital ones are very reliable and they are programmable so you can program it for the whole week. This saves hundreds of dollars a year on heating costs. As far as your other bills soaring yes they probably will.

Answer 3

Buying a thirty dollar thermostat isn't going to get your house any warmer if the heater isn't keeping up now.
Just like trying to adjust the heat anticipation wheel on your thermostat. Usually the correct setting is stamped on a little plate on the heater, that is how your repairman is going to know how to set it back where it belongs.
I feel for you cause I am in the deep freeze too. I tracked down a couple of bad air leaks near my doors and windows and hung what ever i had to keep the draft from blowing all my heat away. I also did a little more baking to help my system get caught up.your electric will only be slightly higher from the motor running non stop, gas I can not fortell cause it is going to be higher from the cold weather to begin with.

Answer 4

I would go to a Home Depot or Lowes and buy some insulation bats and put them above the (exterior walls) outside areas in your basement. Between the joists at the ends you will have to cut them to fit.(small rectangular) pieces. For the side walls you will have to cut the insulation in lengths. This should help retain some heat. If you call your furnace man. Have him install a programmable thermostat. Later you may want to put some insulation in your attic.
This can be blown in or you can lay some insulation bats up there.
Ask at your local store for their recommendations

Answer 5

It sounds like your house doesn't have good insulation so that should be added to your "to do" list...extra insulation in the attic at least. Do you have a wood burning fire place? That would be nice if you could build a fire and at least help heat the main living area of your house. Turn the heat down to what you can live with during the day and even lower at night when you go to bed. Place folded towels or light blankets across the bottom of your outside doors (inside of course) to help cut down on droughts.

Answer 6

adding insulation always helps, but not now. lower the stat to 62 or so, and wear sweaters and a hat.
boiling things such as corn on the cob will help add moisture to the house.

Answer 7

Wear:
4 pairs of undies
6 singlets
2 t-shirts
jeans
3 track suit pants
a jumper or two
3 beanies
2 scarves
'AN ALOT 'A HOT CHOCOLATE!!!

hope i could help!!

Answer 8

just set it on 63 it wont kick on as much.......also wear sweaters...sweats indoors...that way u b warmer even with the heat low