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It is really stressful to live all cold, for long periods of time, in the winter. What do people do to keep warm in their homes, whatever kinds of home they be?

We just had our propane heater fixed and we hope this time it sticks. What a blessed thing to have on demand heat!

In Edwardian times people used large tapetries over doorways and windows, and around their bed posts as bed curtains. They also had warming pans to slide under their sheets...and I guess warming potatoes and rocks would work for the poorer classes.

That does sound all pretty cozy.

I think all the servants would sleep in the common room by a series of blazing fires, except for the few servants that slept beside their masters in nearby cots.

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I also use my chihuahua for heat when I sleep. i know that sounds incidental, but recall that small dogs were bred over the centuries to be lady companions, and to help ladies stay warm under their house robes and in their beds.

Frodo curls right up against my lower back and doesn't budge all night. He is the the most awesome space heater - lots of BTUs for such a small creature.

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LOL that is so cool that your pets are keeping you warm! Yes definitely Hammie sleeps in my bed with me and keeps me warm all night long.

I think people have dealt with far more cold than we have now. Think about the Eskimos and people in Siberia and so on. They would be very jealous of the modern conveniences we have.

But that being said, different bodies are naturally meant to handle different levels of heat. The Eskimo people have bodies which can tolerate heat much better than a typical Nigerian person does. So some of that is about biology.


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True about people in other climates. I think in a very cold climate people spend a lot of time and attention to protecting their bodies when they go out, and conserving heat indoors.

In our temperate climates we get a bit lazy, i think. smile

I am trying to pay more attention to everything that involves saving money and decreasing stress. Being warm this winter will involve spending money (ie - propane and electric from the blower), so i want to save as much money as possible. And I HAVE to be warm to be peaceful. I get cold really quickly and stay cold.

So I am thinking about exploring easy solutions that people have used through millenia. I don't have a fireplace or woodstove in here, so that is not an option.

How do different people's houses fare in the winter? Do people deal with drafts, make a lot of fires, cover up all your windows with plastic or heavy drapes, keep the heat turned up high, or just wear sweaters and hats indoors?

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We've added placing towels under doors to the outside to our efforts to keep warm inside. I know they make little stuffed snakey pillows for that, but the towels seem to work fine and are free.

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Definitely thick curtains and "snakes" for all cracks is key. Plastic the windows. Seal up everything. My friend in Alaska lined all her walls with books to provide natural insulation. Rugs for the floor. Heavy blankets for the bed, throw blankets for the couch. Thick sweaters smile

When you look at English dramas they are often wearing 8 layers of clothes, to stay warm. That way you can add and remove layers as the room warms and cools.

Drink hot tea smile I'm doing that now!


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All the suggestions above are great! I also think some things add to a cozy, warm feeling like burning candles, and deep rich colors. Painting a room can really change your perception of warmth even. I painted my Mom's living room for her this last year... it sounds weird but it's painted a orangish/beige color and her home seems SOOOO much more cozy and inviting than the white.



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I love the idea of using books as insulation. Now THAT is mult-iuse - and attractive!

Linder, the warm color does sound a lot more cozy than white. I tend to think of white as a cool tone.

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Linder - that's an awesome idea! Definitely paint can be cheap and can make a big difference in how you feel about a room.

Yes you can get cheap shelves and line the walls with them, and fill them in with books smile


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I have already lined a wall with books at your advice. dan thinks it's brilliant.

As i sell them on amazon, our insulation will go away, though, LOL.

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We also bought some sticky strips of foam and went around sealing some of the worst openings in doorways and windows. It seems to be helping.

We recently found out that we have open vents under the house from critters, and we are paying to heat the ground. harrumph. $500 in propane this last month.

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I'm sure you can get free books from libraries, many libraries dump books weekly to make room for fresh, new incoming ones. I hear about that all the time. Talk to all your local libraries and find out what they do with old books.


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True true. I see boxes and boxes of free romance novels no one wants outside my local library every time i go. lol!

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There you go! Free insulation!


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But what about decluttering books? Isn't that the wrong direction? wink

Although I suppose I can just donate all the unwanted romance novels en masse to goodwill if i leave here.

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If people are in essence throwing out books then they are now your free insulation. They are no longer books that you have to read - they are functional house-warming items.

And yes when you're done with the house, you can donate them back into the system smile


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I really do love this idea. I hope more people will read this thread and give it a try for the colder rooms in their homes.

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I do want to caveat that people should stay warm enough to be healthy. My Dad is concerning me by completely turning off his heat so he saves money - in March - but he's still buying plenty of beer.


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Well the wheel keeps on turning and now it's time for me to switch gears to try to stay cool in my home!

Insulation turns out to be just as good as keeping the cool in as it did the warmth.

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