Dan Hartung wrote:
Rob wrote:

My current thermostat is a somewhat older, non-programmable one that
only goes down to 60 degrees. This winter with the high oil prices, I
want to have a thermostat that goes down to 50 degrees. Are most
thermostats out there capable of being set as low as 50 degrees? Also,
has anyone had experience keeping their house at this low a temp? If
so, did you run into problems such as frozen pipes? Note: I use a
woodstove, so when folks are at home it is fine without much heat from
the furnace, but I'm more concerned about times when just the furnace
is on.


If your furnace is under warranty, you may void it by keeping your house
below 65 degrees.

I have a relative who replaced the furnaces in a duplex, one was rented
and inhabited, the other used seasonally as an office. During winter he
kept the temperature at 55 degrees. That furnace got a cracked manifold
(cracked something, anyway) after 12 years; the other one is still
working fine 5 years later.

The cold air return is part of the problem, though, so if you're careful
where the input air is coming from ... well, it's your furnace.

I think you'll be able to save as much money by going hog-wild on
insulation and weatherstripping.

I'm assuming the wood is free? Otherwise I've always understood that
wood stoves are very expensive to run.

Yup, wood is free (well, free except for the cost for me in wear on the
chainsaw, gas, and wear on my back splitting it)... lol

I'm interested from anyone who would comment in how common the problem
that is cited above regarding the cold air return breaking when keeping
heat set low is. I've known people with vacation homes who drain their
pipes but still keep the furnace set low and I've never heard of that
problem. Interesting.

As to insulation, that is not an option on most of my house, except for
more being put in the attic. The house is an all masonry stone home, so
there is no cavity in the outer walls for any insulation.