Safe ways to heat an unattended house without central heating
November 22, 2015 11:11 AM Subscribe
I recently moved into a house without central heat. Is there a safe way to safely keep my house warm overnight and when I'm not home?
It doesn't get very cold in this part of the country (my understanding is that it's typically in the 20s/30s in the coldest months), but that's cold enough to be pretty uncomfortable inside. I can keep myself marginally comfortable by layering up, drinking tea, etc., but my dog is pretty miserable, and I'm a little worried my succulents will die. It also sucks to come home/wake up to a freezing house.
It just dropped down to 30 last night, and it was/is COLD AS FUCK- my dog was whimpering for much of the night because she's skinny with super short hair so is pretty sensitive to the cold. It's so cold in here that I'm starting to dread washing my hands because the air is so cold on wet skin, and I'm pretty cold even though I'm bundled up (and I'm from the Midwest, I know cold). My landlord recommends space heaters during the winter months but I'm concerned about leaving them on overnight and when I'm gone to keep the dog marginally comfortable, prevent my plants from dying, and make it more bearable when I come home/wake up. The only thing the dog hates more than the cold is sweaters and she hasn't adjusted to them even when I've left them on her for days at a time. She has some success tucking herself under blankets for warmth but sometimes needs help.
I do plan to insulate the windows, but what else can I do?
It doesn't get very cold in this part of the country (my understanding is that it's typically in the 20s/30s in the coldest months), but that's cold enough to be pretty uncomfortable inside. I can keep myself marginally comfortable by layering up, drinking tea, etc., but my dog is pretty miserable, and I'm a little worried my succulents will die. It also sucks to come home/wake up to a freezing house.
It just dropped down to 30 last night, and it was/is COLD AS FUCK- my dog was whimpering for much of the night because she's skinny with super short hair so is pretty sensitive to the cold. It's so cold in here that I'm starting to dread washing my hands because the air is so cold on wet skin, and I'm pretty cold even though I'm bundled up (and I'm from the Midwest, I know cold). My landlord recommends space heaters during the winter months but I'm concerned about leaving them on overnight and when I'm gone to keep the dog marginally comfortable, prevent my plants from dying, and make it more bearable when I come home/wake up. The only thing the dog hates more than the cold is sweaters and she hasn't adjusted to them even when I've left them on her for days at a time. She has some success tucking herself under blankets for warmth but sometimes needs help.
I do plan to insulate the windows, but what else can I do?
What about a heated dog bed? It doesn't help you, but maybe would make your puppy comfortable.
posted by cecic at 11:19 AM on November 22, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by cecic at 11:19 AM on November 22, 2015 [7 favorites]
How about an electric blanket? You could use one for you and pup at night and keep it on for her during the day. Check the labels, of course, but I'm guessing they have built in safety functions.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:19 AM on November 22, 2015
posted by bluedaisy at 11:19 AM on November 22, 2015
You want an indoor dog house. They are little fabric houses for your pets.
And get some heat, somewhere.
Also, if you ever get a real cold snap, you'll freeze the water pipes.
posted by clvrmnky at 11:25 AM on November 22, 2015 [5 favorites]
And get some heat, somewhere.
Also, if you ever get a real cold snap, you'll freeze the water pipes.
posted by clvrmnky at 11:25 AM on November 22, 2015 [5 favorites]
Fan heaters are very safe: pet-safe and cool to the touch, and this kind will turn itself off if air is obstructed or something falls on it. Please be mindful of the kilowatts and consider a timer if you are on a low income.
Also, dog sweaters are a thing for a reason, and that reason isn't "cute!"
posted by DarlingBri at 11:26 AM on November 22, 2015
Also, dog sweaters are a thing for a reason, and that reason isn't "cute!"
posted by DarlingBri at 11:26 AM on November 22, 2015
I also live in a house without central heat and it gets really cold starting in the late afternoon. We use heated mattress pads that sometimes I leave on all day. The dog likes them and he can snuggle on the bed to get warm. I insulated the windows with a kit from ace hardware and it keeps the air from blowing thru the house, Except during the high winds last week when two were blown off.
I do not use space heaters because the electric bill shoots way up and it is to much money. I just turn the heat up and deal with a higher gas bill for 4-5 months a year.
I also wear a down jacket and a wool hat inside more than I ever thought I would.
posted by cairnoflore at 11:36 AM on November 22, 2015
I do not use space heaters because the electric bill shoots way up and it is to much money. I just turn the heat up and deal with a higher gas bill for 4-5 months a year.
I also wear a down jacket and a wool hat inside more than I ever thought I would.
posted by cairnoflore at 11:36 AM on November 22, 2015
I think the oil-filled radiator type heater is one of the safest options (since it has no exposed heating element), and the one built for the longest-term running time.
Heated mattress pad is my preference, and the dogs can feel mine through light blankets (which I can tell because they'll pretend not to be awake when I try to make them move), but electric blanket might be more beneficial to your dog at night.
There's also heated dog beds that are very low wattage.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:41 AM on November 22, 2015 [4 favorites]
Heated mattress pad is my preference, and the dogs can feel mine through light blankets (which I can tell because they'll pretend not to be awake when I try to make them move), but electric blanket might be more beneficial to your dog at night.
There's also heated dog beds that are very low wattage.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:41 AM on November 22, 2015 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: I don't know how to describe it other than "no central heat" but there is literally no heating system in the house. Apparently this is typical in older houses in this part of the country. I don't know how they keep the pipes from bursting.
posted by quiet coyote at 11:50 AM on November 22, 2015
posted by quiet coyote at 11:50 AM on November 22, 2015
You could install electric baseboard heaters in a room or two, the website I looked at says the most expensive part is if you need to update electrical, but it's still much cheaper than installing a furnace. This website has decent info to start with. It would cost at least a few hundred bucks though depending on your electrical setup and it sounds like you'll need an electrician. I'd want the landlord to pay for this one. Bedroom and main room you use when awake.
http://www.fixr.com/costs/install-electric-baseboard-heater
This gov't site has good info too. It suggests electric wall heaters too, those range in price from under $100 to $200+
http://energy.gov/energysaver/electric-resistance-heating
You could also consider a milkhouse heater, they're inexpensive and sturdy. I still wouldn't trust it when I wasn't at home though, so you'd want a self-heating or electric blanket style dog bed for your dog.
If it were me, I'd get an electric wall heater for the room you leave the dog and plants in and use a portable electric heater in the bedroom as needed. However I'm pretty sure it's illegal to rent a house without any heating available in it, even if it 'only' gets down to 20 degrees. Do you have a lease? Is the lack of heat mentioned in the lease? Is there a fireplace in the house?
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 11:57 AM on November 22, 2015
http://www.fixr.com/costs/install-electric-baseboard-heater
This gov't site has good info too. It suggests electric wall heaters too, those range in price from under $100 to $200+
http://energy.gov/energysaver/electric-resistance-heating
You could also consider a milkhouse heater, they're inexpensive and sturdy. I still wouldn't trust it when I wasn't at home though, so you'd want a self-heating or electric blanket style dog bed for your dog.
If it were me, I'd get an electric wall heater for the room you leave the dog and plants in and use a portable electric heater in the bedroom as needed. However I'm pretty sure it's illegal to rent a house without any heating available in it, even if it 'only' gets down to 20 degrees. Do you have a lease? Is the lack of heat mentioned in the lease? Is there a fireplace in the house?
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 11:57 AM on November 22, 2015
I own three houses and I have those eHeat panels snickerdoodle posted in all of them, and I'm adding them to the garden studio I'm building. I'm a big fan.
posted by humboldt32 at 12:03 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by humboldt32 at 12:03 PM on November 22, 2015
Where are you? I also live somewhere it doesn't get very cold (California), but local city law requires that apartments are capable of maintaining a minimum heat (65, I think).
posted by three_red_balloons at 12:04 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by three_red_balloons at 12:04 PM on November 22, 2015
Response by poster: I am in Mississippi. My landlord does provide a fancy gas space heater that is connected to a gas source. He just came to show me how to turn it on and apparently there's a gas leak in it because it literally caught fire a few minutes after he had it on- flames were roaring out of the bottom. He says he is going to send someone to fix it and assured me it'd be safe but I am not going to use it after seeing that. He also instructed me to not keep it on while I'm gone, which is the whole problem. He said my dog will be fine without heat.
posted by quiet coyote at 12:09 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by quiet coyote at 12:09 PM on November 22, 2015
I think a heater like this that doesn't sit directly on the ground or a surface is pretty safe because if something spilled, it wouldn't get on the heater. It also doesn't use gas or oil or anything that might leak. It's just electric and ceramic.
I have that model I linked and holy hell does it heat up a room. I've fallen asleep with it on high in my bedroom and woken up in the middle of the night to the feeling of being in a hot sauna. (If you want to leave it on all night, use the temperature settings and keep it on low.) The remote is nice because from my bed, I can turn it on if I get cold or turn it off if I want. You can also set it to a temperature or thermostat setting, although my preference has always been to turn it on a 1-hour or 2-hour timer so I fall asleep. Once I fall asleep and it turns off, I don't get cold enough to wake up.
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:17 PM on November 22, 2015
I have that model I linked and holy hell does it heat up a room. I've fallen asleep with it on high in my bedroom and woken up in the middle of the night to the feeling of being in a hot sauna. (If you want to leave it on all night, use the temperature settings and keep it on low.) The remote is nice because from my bed, I can turn it on if I get cold or turn it off if I want. You can also set it to a temperature or thermostat setting, although my preference has always been to turn it on a 1-hour or 2-hour timer so I fall asleep. Once I fall asleep and it turns off, I don't get cold enough to wake up.
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:17 PM on November 22, 2015
Nthing the fact that in most parts of the US, renting a housing unit without heating is ILLEGAL. Most likely you're well within your rights as a tenant to to have your landlord provide you with a heating solution on their dime; ie, they buy the space heaters/furnace, and you pay for the utilities that fuel them. The landlord also likely owes you back rent for days when your unit was uninhabitable and they provided no backup heating. It's up to you whether or not you want to pursue it.
As to space heaters, it mostly depends on local utility cost. There are a bunch of calculators floating around the internet that can give you an idea of what your cost per BTU will be for different solutions. Personally, we've used backup ventless propane heaters during power outages and never experienced any problems; but most modern space heaters, regardless of fuel, are safe and relatively efficient.
posted by givennamesurname at 12:19 PM on November 22, 2015 [6 favorites]
As to space heaters, it mostly depends on local utility cost. There are a bunch of calculators floating around the internet that can give you an idea of what your cost per BTU will be for different solutions. Personally, we've used backup ventless propane heaters during power outages and never experienced any problems; but most modern space heaters, regardless of fuel, are safe and relatively efficient.
posted by givennamesurname at 12:19 PM on November 22, 2015 [6 favorites]
You need to keep the rooms with water pipes warm on very cold nights - if it gets below 30, you could have frozen pipes. I would get 2 small space heaters, presuming 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen. also, you can use 1 to keep the bathroom usable. Maybe you could use the stove to keep the kitchen warm on really cold nights. I'd get an electric blanket for the bed and an electric mattress pad for the couch or wherever you hang out. Preheating the bed is really effective; you don't need it on all night, and there are safety issues. Electric blanket or mattress pad on the couch makes hanging out reading or watching tv possible, at the least electricity cost. Also, fleece throw for the couch. Ideally, the bed should have a down comforter or a couple good blankets - wool is quite warm. I live in Maine an put bubblewrap on the windows. it lets the warn sun in and helps insulate. Curtains can go over it.
You need a fleece vest and a wool cardigan, and warm slippers/socks. Wear a hat indoors and fingerless mittens. I have some metal scout canteens from Goodwill to use as hot water bottles - so nice at the foot of my bed. If my toes can stay warm, I feel so much better. I hate to wear socks, but in the worst of winter, I wear wool or fleece socks.
Got a coffee table? Put a blanket over it, and weight it with something, and give the dog a hot water bottle when you leave the house. Put the dog bed or an old quilt in there. The dog will be much happier. put a chew toy or treat in there to teach the pooch that it's her space.
Get some decaffeinated tea or hot chocolate and have a hot beverage when you feel cold; it really helps.
posted by theora55 at 12:28 PM on November 22, 2015
You need a fleece vest and a wool cardigan, and warm slippers/socks. Wear a hat indoors and fingerless mittens. I have some metal scout canteens from Goodwill to use as hot water bottles - so nice at the foot of my bed. If my toes can stay warm, I feel so much better. I hate to wear socks, but in the worst of winter, I wear wool or fleece socks.
Got a coffee table? Put a blanket over it, and weight it with something, and give the dog a hot water bottle when you leave the house. Put the dog bed or an old quilt in there. The dog will be much happier. put a chew toy or treat in there to teach the pooch that it's her space.
Get some decaffeinated tea or hot chocolate and have a hot beverage when you feel cold; it really helps.
posted by theora55 at 12:28 PM on November 22, 2015
Response by poster: I will ask my landlord to pay for something. My understanding is that space heaters are unsafe to leave on unattended or overnight, and I think it's safe to assume that the wiring in this house is pretty shitty. What should I ask for?
posted by quiet coyote at 12:37 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by quiet coyote at 12:37 PM on November 22, 2015
What should I ask for?
Early termination of your lease.
posted by HuronBob at 12:43 PM on November 22, 2015 [34 favorites]
Early termination of your lease.
posted by HuronBob at 12:43 PM on November 22, 2015 [34 favorites]
Using a stove as a heating source is not a good idea. Gas stoves are a carbon monoxide risk, and the exposed got burner on an electric stove is a burn risk.
Once repaired, the gas space heater will be fine for when you are home. I've lived in houses where they were the sole source of heat and had no problem with them except maintenance issues. Some are designed such that they can be left unattended, but some shouldn't be. Generally, the larger ones where the flame is contained within ceramic elements are OK for unattended use. Smaller ones that have exposed burners should only be used with supervision.
Either way, you should pick up a carbon monoxide detector just in case. Properly adjusted, little to no CO is produced, but given that the one in question is in need of repair, I'd feel better having a way to know other than physical symptoms of CO poisoning.
posted by wierdo at 12:44 PM on November 22, 2015
Once repaired, the gas space heater will be fine for when you are home. I've lived in houses where they were the sole source of heat and had no problem with them except maintenance issues. Some are designed such that they can be left unattended, but some shouldn't be. Generally, the larger ones where the flame is contained within ceramic elements are OK for unattended use. Smaller ones that have exposed burners should only be used with supervision.
Either way, you should pick up a carbon monoxide detector just in case. Properly adjusted, little to no CO is produced, but given that the one in question is in need of repair, I'd feel better having a way to know other than physical symptoms of CO poisoning.
posted by wierdo at 12:44 PM on November 22, 2015
Definitely make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. If you're worried, you can look around for the DOs and DON'Ts of space heaters.
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:48 PM on November 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:48 PM on November 22, 2015 [3 favorites]
Just for terminology - central heating is a specific way of heating a home - generally a furnace or a boiler as a single central heat source that is then distributed to different rooms via ducts and comes out into the room from vents (this is not a complete definition, but generally that's what it is). Other types of heating, like radiators or baseboard heaters or in-floor heating or space heating, are perfectly valid heat sources but are not considered central heating.
posted by brainmouse at 12:49 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by brainmouse at 12:49 PM on November 22, 2015
Just saw your location post; I Am Not Your Lawyer, but you're covered under MS tenant rights of Repair and Deduct to withhold a portion of rent until your heat is repaired after a 30 day period and with proper notice. Might be useful send the opening note to you landlord requesting repairs; could hasten things along.
And agreed that once repaired, the gas unit should keep your home comfortable.
posted by givennamesurname at 12:55 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
And agreed that once repaired, the gas unit should keep your home comfortable.
posted by givennamesurname at 12:55 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
Delonghi Oil Filled Radiator - is what I recommend.
posted by iamabot at 1:32 PM on November 22, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by iamabot at 1:32 PM on November 22, 2015 [5 favorites]
I have an oil-filled radiator. It works great. There's a thermostat on it that will turn it on and off at a certain temperature. We use ours in an unheated office sunroom all winter, setting it very low and leaving it on 24-7. We have a large dog and she doesn't get near it. We live in Memphis, so our winter is similar.
posted by raisingsand at 1:55 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by raisingsand at 1:55 PM on November 22, 2015
Australian houses don't usually have central heating and we mostly use the oil-filled radiators. I would feel safe leaving those on overnight and I am someone who is super paranoid and unplugs everything.
posted by kitten magic at 3:27 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by kitten magic at 3:27 PM on November 22, 2015
Use a space heater in your bathroom prior to showering so you will step out into a warm room. The smallest, cheapest one will work.
Your pup needs a sweater or something you can turn into a dig sweater. Plus as much warm snuggly blankets as possible.
Your landlord needs a clue about responsibility to his tenant. Heat is a requirement.
posted by mightshould at 3:41 PM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
Your pup needs a sweater or something you can turn into a dig sweater. Plus as much warm snuggly blankets as possible.
Your landlord needs a clue about responsibility to his tenant. Heat is a requirement.
posted by mightshould at 3:41 PM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
We broke down and bought an infrared heater for out downstairs den. We leave it on all the time for ourselves and the pipes. It will however jack up your electric bill and needs a dedicated outlet. Its cool to the touch and I don't worry about the grandkids or cats getting harmed.
posted by PJMoore at 4:17 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by PJMoore at 4:17 PM on November 22, 2015
I can't remember is you can still buy them in the states but here I'd buy a bunch of 100W incandescent bulbs (or 60s if that's all the fixtures are rated for) and leave the lights on while I was out. It's less than ideal way to heat (a fan will help stir the air) but it is cheap and safe and will at least keep the chill off at those temperatures.
Most space heaters are not listed for unattended use and even though a lot of them are pretty safe (the oil filled ones especially) your insurance may be voided if they catch fire while unattended.
Any electric heater is going to impact your electric bill in direct proportion to how much it heats your room. The panels linked above have sort of misleading claims when they say they are cheaper than baseboards. Sure if the panel runs for 24 hours and a 1000W base board runs for 24 hours the baseboard is going to use 150% more power; however, it is also going to raise the temperature 150% more as well.
But ya, it'll be a legal requirement that your landlord provide you with heat to a particular temperature a lot higher than 30 degrees.
theora55: "Got a coffee table? Put a blanket over it, and weight it with something, and give the dog a hot water bottle when you leave the house. Put the dog bed or an old quilt in there. The dog will be much happier. put a chew toy or treat in there to teach the pooch that it's her space."
I've done this a couple times: Get a cardboard box large enough for the dog to turn around in. The boxes office chairs come in are ideal for small to medium size dogs. Cut a classic dog house size arched opening in one end. Use duct tape to tape two tea towels over the opening in such a way that each towel covers about 75% of the opening and they overlap in the center. Place dog bed (or folded blankets/towels) in bottom of box. The box alone in often enough to keep the dog comfy but if not cover the box with blankets until it is. The bottom blankets/towels are really key though as your dog will lose a lot more heat through the floor than through the still air inside the box.
If you don't mind spending the money you can do the same thing with an appropriately sized dog kennel.
Dogs will self regulate the internal temperature somewhat by sticking their noses/head outside the box.
posted by Mitheral at 7:02 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
Most space heaters are not listed for unattended use and even though a lot of them are pretty safe (the oil filled ones especially) your insurance may be voided if they catch fire while unattended.
Any electric heater is going to impact your electric bill in direct proportion to how much it heats your room. The panels linked above have sort of misleading claims when they say they are cheaper than baseboards. Sure if the panel runs for 24 hours and a 1000W base board runs for 24 hours the baseboard is going to use 150% more power; however, it is also going to raise the temperature 150% more as well.
But ya, it'll be a legal requirement that your landlord provide you with heat to a particular temperature a lot higher than 30 degrees.
theora55: "Got a coffee table? Put a blanket over it, and weight it with something, and give the dog a hot water bottle when you leave the house. Put the dog bed or an old quilt in there. The dog will be much happier. put a chew toy or treat in there to teach the pooch that it's her space."
I've done this a couple times: Get a cardboard box large enough for the dog to turn around in. The boxes office chairs come in are ideal for small to medium size dogs. Cut a classic dog house size arched opening in one end. Use duct tape to tape two tea towels over the opening in such a way that each towel covers about 75% of the opening and they overlap in the center. Place dog bed (or folded blankets/towels) in bottom of box. The box alone in often enough to keep the dog comfy but if not cover the box with blankets until it is. The bottom blankets/towels are really key though as your dog will lose a lot more heat through the floor than through the still air inside the box.
If you don't mind spending the money you can do the same thing with an appropriately sized dog kennel.
Dogs will self regulate the internal temperature somewhat by sticking their noses/head outside the box.
posted by Mitheral at 7:02 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
That said, heated mattress pads are basically magic for sleeping when it's cold and are safe -- and if your dog sleeps in bed with you that should work for her too.
But modern space heaters are quite safe, and especially while you're home and asleep I wouldn't have any qualms with using them.
posted by brainmouse at 11:18 AM on November 22, 2015 [14 favorites]