Fall is a great time of year here in the Upper Midwest. Cool nights, crisp days,
brilliant colors on the trees. Apples, cider and donuts. We prepare our
gardens for winter, pulling up annuals, cutting back perennials, digging out
pesky weeds, and planting tulips, daffodils, and other harbingers of spring.
One tradition that causes friction in some homes is turning
on the furnace for the first time. My parents lived through the Depression. “Waste
not, want not” was a frequent refrain. Don’t waste, save money is so deeply
ingrained that I feel guilty when paying full price for anything. So when crisp
days turn into dreary, rainy ones, I put on a sweatshirt and wear
wool socks around the house (instead of my usual bare feet). The way I figure
it is the longer we hold off turning on the furnace the lower the gas bill.
Another school of thought, to which Hubs subscribes, is why
be uncomfortable. Although cold bothers him more than me, he, too, had parents who grew
up in the Depression. For the most part, we agree on money issues. So, it was a
surprise one day last week to return home and realize he'd turned on the furnace.
According to Hubs, the inside temp had gotten down to 58. Okay, that is a
little nippy. Well, at least we know our furnace works. After our new house was
built but before we moved in they performed an energy diagnostic where they pressurized
the house to see how much air escapes, testing for leaks, etc. Not only did our
house pass with flying colors, it is so tight that there’s a pipe to bring
outside air in for the furnace. Good to know. That’s supposed to mean that it
will takes less energy to heat the house and keep it warm. We’ll have to see
when we get our first bill.
For all my penny-pinching ways, I have to admit on rainy
days like today it is nice to be comfortable.
When do you turn on the furnace? The first time the
temperature drops or do you hold off?
Don’t forget the giveaway that is going on all month. Leave
a comment and your email address for a chance at an Amazon gift card. I’ll
announce the winner on Halloween.