Spouse keeps thermostat at 60 to save environment — how important is this?

[Anonymous]

We have huge fights about this, both winter and summer (60 winter, 80 summer). Kids and I are miserable.

I did math and it seems like paltry CO2, but DOE recommendations are pointed at.

[Anonymous]

Are you in a place where your pipes could freeze in the winter? That alone should be reason to raise the temperature about 68, since the temperature probably varies throughout the house.

[Anonymous]

If it's impacting your health and wellbeing, then he needs to be more flexible. In my middle age, I would never get any sleep with the thermostat at 80 in the summer. My super skinny son wouldn't be able to focus on his homework at 60 in the winter.

You also need to make your best effort. Get silk long underwear for everyone to layer under their clothes, cozy fleece slippers and sweaters, a smart thermostat, maybe space heaters for next to your desk or sofa or wherever you spend time in the evening. Invest in a whole house fan if you have shade trees. In my old house without central air, I could open my windows at 6 a.m. and run the whole house fan for 15-30 minutes, then turn off fan and shut windows. My house would stay comfortable for much of the morning, even on really hot days.

Anyway, you get the idea. You do everything you can do then your husband agrees to adjust the temp so you can be healthy and functional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's impacting your health and wellbeing, then he needs to be more flexible. In my middle age, I would never get any sleep with the thermostat at 80 in the summer. My super skinny son wouldn't be able to focus on his homework at 60 in the winter.

You also need to make your best effort. Get silk long underwear for everyone to layer under their clothes, cozy fleece slippers and sweaters, a smart thermostat, maybe space heaters for next to your desk or sofa or wherever you spend time in the evening. Invest in a whole house fan if you have shade trees. In my old house without central air, I could open my windows at 6 a.m. and run the whole house fan for 15-30 minutes, then turn off fan and shut windows. My house would stay comfortable for much of the morning, even on really hot days.

Anyway, you get the idea. You do everything you can do then your husband agrees to adjust the temp so you can be healthy and functional.

Sure we can wear more layers. Which then generates more laundry and drives the purchase of future clothes as they wear out.

Remember mugs vs paper cups, you need 100s- 1000x usage to break even, depending on what you measure.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2017/07/reusable-or-disposable-which-coffee-cup-has-a-smaller-footprint/

I personally think we environmentalists have been scammed; I sacrificed so much to be green, moreover my kids sacrificed, and I realize it was mostly a scam on the civic minded

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2017/jul/17/neoliberalism-has-conned-us-into-fighting-climate-change-as-individuals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you in a place where your pipes could freeze in the winter? That alone should be reason to raise the temperature about 68, since the temperature probably varies throughout the house.

Really??

I keep my heat at 65 in the winter, and my pipes have never frozen. I live in the mountains where it is colder and snowier than DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's impacting your health and wellbeing, then he needs to be more flexible. In my middle age, I would never get any sleep with the thermostat at 80 in the summer. My super skinny son wouldn't be able to focus on his homework at 60 in the winter.

You also need to make your best effort. Get silk long underwear for everyone to layer under their clothes, cozy fleece slippers and sweaters, a smart thermostat, maybe space heaters for next to your desk or sofa or wherever you spend time in the evening. Invest in a whole house fan if you have shade trees. In my old house without central air, I could open my windows at 6 a.m. and run the whole house fan for 15-30 minutes, then turn off fan and shut windows. My house would stay comfortable for much of the morning, even on really hot days.

Anyway, you get the idea. You do everything you can do then your husband agrees to adjust the temp so you can be healthy and functional.

Sure we can wear more layers. Which then generates more laundry and drives the purchase of future clothes as they wear out.

Remember mugs vs paper cups, you need 100s- 1000x usage to break even, depending on what you measure.

https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2017/07/reusable-or-disposable-which-coffee-cup-has-a-smaller-footprint/

I personally think we environmentalists have been scammed; I sacrificed so much to be green, moreover my kids sacrificed, and I realize it was mostly a scam on the civic minded

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2017/jul/17/neoliberalism-has-conned-us-into-fighting-climate-change-as-individuals

Was this post the OP replying?

[Anonymous]

Does your spouse eat meat or drive a car or fly anywhere? Seems ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

OP, if it makes you and your kids miserable, then it is important. The environmental stuff is secondary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your spouse eat meat or drive a car or fly anywhere? Seems ridiculous.

Does not eat meat. We didn't own a car until kids (my commute by bus and metro used to take 1.5hrs). We do fly, but there are few substitutes for getting to the West coast or Europe any other way.

[Anonymous]

Extremes. Bet they’re a jerk in other aspects too.

[Anonymous]

Just following Energy department's recommendation - 68F for the winter, 78F for the summer. That's what we do. Little chilly and little warm but not too bad.

[Anonymous]

I am also an environmentalist but I recognize that I live with other people who may have different priorities.
Seems like there is a compromise here - 60 overnight is easy if you have warm comforters. Can you invest in more efficient heating or better insulation, and then turn it up to 68 during the day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you in a place where your pipes could freeze in the winter? That alone should be reason to raise the temperature about 68, since the temperature probably varies throughout the house.

Really??

I keep my heat at 65 in the winter, and my pipes have never frozen. I live in the mountains where it is colder and snowier than DC.

+100

Keep house at 65 in the winter, often 62-63 at night.

Keeping your heat above 55 should not put your pipes in any danger. 65 is way overkill.

[Anonymous]

It’s their way to control and abuse you and the kids. I am serious.

[Anonymous]

I love it cold, and 60 overnight seems excessive to me. 65 I think is the minimum reasonable temp. Maybe get an electric blanket?

I would divorce somebody who put the temp at 80 in the summer.