Comments on: No Heat Challenge

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:32:03 +0000

Hiya, we lived in a house that is always been above 91 degree’s for 30 years we live in england, my family passed away 13th dec last year, i no longer work so to cut down on price we turned the boiler, heating off completely.

it’s been 11 months now since we have had no heating at all, the house sits at 18c a day, and sometimes drops to 16c on the night time, no doubt when dec hits we’ll be in a real bad way but the cost of gas these days and electric it’s just stupid.

how we survive me and the wife

1. when it’s freezing in the house go out bike riding for a hour with thin clothes on, it gets bitter cold, then come back to the house it feels like you’ve just stepped into the bahama’s

2. drink lots of hot coco or get a few hotwater bottles and just keep hold of them while sitting down watching tv,

3. get a nintendo wii with work out games gets really hot after a jumping about everywhere.

By: Alisha

Alisha — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:24:48 +0000

I live up in Quebec, Canada, and am trying to hold out until November 1. Only a few days to go but I freeze whenever I’m at home, no matter how many layers I put on. I am only warm when I am in bed. But there’s something about a challenge that keeps me going.

I am also trying to keep riding my bike to work until the snow falls, but it’s getting pretty chilly in the mornings.

Winters in Quebec are so cold you wouldn’t even believe it.

I’m wondering at what point is it unhealthy to not heat your house…

I have a fireplace, but I haven’t used it yet this season.

By: Jessica @ Faith Permeating Life

Jessica @ Faith Permeating Life — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:25:13 +0000

We live in an apartment building and don't have control over when the heat is turned on, though once it's on we can control the thermostat, and we don't have to pay for heat. Although we are very conscientious about saving energy in other ways--e.g., turning lights off and rarely using our wall A/C unit in the summer--heat is a "necessary luxury" for me. My parents' house is always ice-cold, and I hate going there for that reason. My work, too, is freezing, and I would love more suggestions on ways to stay warm there, as it makes me absolutely miserable. Heat, for me, is closely tied to my happiness, and one of the areas where I won't make sacrifices for frugality.

By: Less Heat Challenge 2011-2012

Less Heat Challenge 2011-2012 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:55:32 +0000

[...] have run a No Heat Challenge over the past few years here at The Non-Consumer Advocate, but am going to amend it this year to a [...]

By: seyruun

seyruun — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:24:46 +0000

Cold in bed? A hot water bottle does wonders for you! They keep warm almost all night and can make the difference between not being able to go to sleep because it’s too cold and enjoying a good warm night’s rest.

By: Sarah - Milwaukee, WI

Sarah - Milwaukee, WI — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:07:18 +0000

I’ve never paid much attention to the date, but I also try to keep the heat off as long as possible. Somewhat hard to do with the unpredictable Wisconsin weather. We’re on a budget billing plan with our energy provider so our bills don’t fluctuate, but it would be nice to see a credit at the end of the year instead of an extra payment for any surplus. Hubby likes it cool so it’s no problem for him… I’m the one that is always cold. We do live in a big, old house though that doesn’t retain the heat… hopefully new windows sometime in the near future would help with that. We DO NOT have a programmable thermostat and I think that it works better for us. Without children, our weekends and evenings are unpredictable. Not having it programmed allows us to turn it down at night before bed and not turn it up again until we get home from work. There are some chilly mornings getting ready, but as others have said, why heat the whole house for use in only a few rooms. I keep the vents and doors closed in rooms we don’t use often and last year I also invested in two oscelating space heaters. When I come home for my lunch hour, I prepare my lunch and sit down to eat with that blowing near me. Keeps me warmer and I don’t turn on the heat. Likewise, rather than turning the heat on in the am while we are getting ready, we can turn the space heater on for a few minutes to at least make getting out of bed a little easier.

By: Melony

Melony — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:38:39 +0000

It’s easier for me than many in the U.S. California weather tends to be pretty fair. But it’s been raining here all winter. So, I’ll take the challenge.

By: Part Two of The “No Heat Challenge”

Part Two of The “No Heat Challenge” — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:54:59 +0000

[...] No Heat Challenge officially ended on November 1st, although I continue to keep the thermostat set low. And I’m [...]

By: How Low Can You Go? Taking the No Heat Challenge- Financial Eyes & Ears

How Low Can You Go? Taking the No Heat Challenge- Financial Eyes & Ears — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:11:53 +0000

[...] fall, The Non-Consumer Advocate turned me on to the No-Heat Challenge. The dare was to keep your heat off until November 1. Fine for her, I thought, she lives in [...]

By: twitch

twitch — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:32:50 +0000

I live in Wisconsin. I kept it off until into December, had to put it on when it got cold enuff that pipe freezing is a threat. My house is poorly insulated, ( I do lots of dyi stuff tho ) so even to be chilly the bill is high, so I figure why not be cold?

At the coldest I sleep in hats and fingerless gloves, I cordon off unheated areas with thick blankets and table cloths, all manner of craziness.

My new challenge is to see how early I can turn it off!
I’ d be so proud to do it by March 1, but even the Ides of March would be amazing.