On Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:32:14 -0500, George
wrote:

On 1/23/2013 6:57 PM, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
On Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:26:26 -0600, Doug
wrote:

I'm noticing in upstate NY, zero or subzero weather and just wonder
how the older homes handle these temps? Does your heater constantly
run? Pipes stay safe? Etc... Do you have to do anything special
to your home for these kinda temps?

It only got to 1F here last night, so the furnace doesn't even run 25%
of the time. It is sized for 20 below- which we hit every few of
years.

My house is 120 yrs old or so-- but the oldest window is 15 years old-
and I've insulated it to or beyond modern specs over the past 30
years.

My neighbor, a bachelor, has a similar house, with original windows
and no insulation. He 'camps out' all winter in one room with a
kerosene heater. I like my way better.

Jim


Probably one of those that "doesn't smell and you don't even know it is
running" deals?

That seemed to be a fad around here maybe 10 years ago. The things stink
no matter how much you imagine they don't. As a bonus you get to deal
with frozen pipes in the underheated spaces.

We had one thirty years ago. We were able to keep our pipes from
freezing, once, when the boiler crapped out. We ran it, and one
borrowed from a friend, for over 24 hours until we could get the
boiler serviced.