Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

lowtechmagazine.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

81–90 of 314 posts

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#81

Post by lm28469 »

whatever1 wrote: post #74
lm28469 wrote: post #40

I've stopped using heating altogether since I moved out of my hometown (it was -20c or less in winter). When I'm cold I just add an extra layer of cloth or do a few squats or push/pull ups, heating XXX cubic meters of air is a pure waste of energy if you're healthy That being said your flat/home insulation plays a huge role. I'm living in Germany for a few years now, when it's 0c outside it's still 18c+ indoor even w…

It’s 18C in your flat because the neighbors are paying to heat theirs, so you get to free ride. Typical Balkan mentality.

> Typical Balkan mentality.

The Balkans are quite far from Germany, and I'm originally from west of Germany actually. Not sure what you're trying to insinuate here

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#82

Post by [deleted] »

grecy wrote: post #67
fnbr wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I find that people spend the least amount of money on insulation/heat that they can. I’m from Edmonton, and the coldest I’ve ever been was the winter when I lived in London, UK, as their insulation sucks and their heating sucks. In Edmonton, that’s not possible, because you have a few days of -40C weather annually, so your pipes will freeze without proper insulation (and you’ll die). Now, it’s not comfortable l…

The difference there is the humidity making you feel cold. I live in the Yukon where -40C is the standard daytime temp for months, and I'm perfectly happy/used to it. I felt cold to my bones in the UK.

[deleted]

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#83

Post by oftenwrong »

xxpor wrote: post #64
ashtonkem wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We had a problem with this in older Chicago apartments, usually 2 flats and quads. These buildings usually had radiator heat fired by a common boiler in the basement and city mandated turn-on dates and minimum daily/nightly temperatures. In theory each radiator has a regulator valve that allows you to moderate the amount of steam flowing through it. In reality these valves are all painted over/corroded/never worked i…

There was an article the other day that basically said these steam boilers became popular during the 1918 flu pandemic, and they thought increased air circulation would help people not catch the flu (turns out they were right). So the boilers were tuned to run extra hot, as they were intended to be run with the windows open! Found it: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/the-curio...

As I suspected before clicking, that article cites that explanation as being given by steam heating system expert Dan Holohan. He has a talk up on YouTube that I came across a few years ago. It is interesting on a number of levels, and I recommend giving it a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQB0KK2rxcw

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#84

Post by energ8 »

WClayFerguson wrote: post #19

One thing that has resulted from COVID is that people purchased lots of bandannas, and I did too. Recently I realized I could just wear one around my neck even inside my home to stay warmer, which is something I'd somehow never considered before. It's more comfortable than a turtle neck imo. I think a lot of people had this same idea, and you see bandannas being worn around a lot. In public people will just think it'…

Scarves are also a mainstream style choice for keeping necks warm, inside and out. Dropping the style, Neck Gaiters, Buffs, and Balaclavas are my go-tos for real cold.

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#85

Post by dclowd9901 »

afterwalk wrote: post #4
xcambar wrote: post #3

After 5 winters of Berlin, I have decided to treat myself proper heat tech clothing. The difference in comfort is such that I barely feel any kind of fatigue or depression that the cold temperatures used to put on me. It has changed my perception of winter and I couldn't have spent my money any better. This is a costly investment though, be warned. For the curious, the keyword that started it all: "layered clothing"…

Any specific suggestions on brand/tech/material?

Icebreaker makes extremely good thermal wear. It’s comfortable, warm, breathable and looks great. Be prepared to spend though.

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#86

Post by tristor »

blowfish721 wrote: post #51
GuB-42 wrote: post #36

Why not both? First, insulation works both way, so if you have hot summers and use A/C insulation will help you here. Second, I spent some time in mostly unheated house, indoors tempeature around 5C. And yes, with proper clothing, that's fine, but getting to the shower is not particularly comfortable... For sleeping, I had a heated blanket which I put between the sheets and a regular blanket. Probably not recommended…

Another consideration if you live in a damp climate is the risk of mold if you don’t heat your house to keep it dry.

Mold is more of an issue due to the breathability / air exchange of the house, than it is due to insulation. Insulation doesn't have to eliminate air exchange.

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#87

Post by xcambar »

lm28469 wrote: post #47
capnahab wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

er,London is not cold.

Berlin neither, all you need is a tshirt and a down sweater/light jacket like this: https://www.rei.com/product/871413/patagonia-down-sweater-me... (or 4 time cheaper at other brands). I know because that's what I use regularly for long walks and even bike trips

2 things: * this Patagonia down jacket is a killer jacket, it's a-ma-zing. Of course it gets the job done. * bike rides require less clothing than walking, because your body heat keeps you warm. Plus, if you're not a heavy sweater, you're blessed (as am I).

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#88

Post by [deleted] »

whalesalad wrote: post #10

My wife and I just moved from LA (my birthplace) to Detroit (my wifes birthplace, I have lived here previously) and it sure has been a struggle to keep my office environment 'good'. I have a hyperhidrosis issue (excessively sweaty hands) that compounds the situation. I feel like homes and offices do not breath. My anecdotal napkin math would say like 10% of buildings are designed with proper ventilation, blending of…

[deleted]

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#89

Post by cududa »

grecy wrote: post #79
kortilla wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The comment isn’t about the temps outside, it’s inside the house. The point was that in really cold places people have to have good heating and insulation so the house feels better than places with more mild winters.

The humidity is still a big factor inside, and it's why you feel colder than in places with low humidity.

Odd you were downvoted down much for mentioning that humidity impacts how we feel temperatures..

Re: Insulation: First the body, then the home (2011)

#90

Post by whatever1 »

lm28469 wrote: post #81
whatever1 wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s 18C in your flat because the neighbors are paying to heat theirs, so you get to free ride. Typical Balkan mentality.

> Typical Balkan mentality. The Balkans are quite far from Germany, and I'm originally from west of Germany actually. Not sure what you're trying to insinuate here

The story that you mentioned is very typical in Balkans cities where I am from. It leads to huge fights between the neighbors and typically the apartment building ends up not using the central heating at all and residents resort to using far less efficient electrical space heaters or even fireplaces. So everyone ends up miserable.
Post reply on HN