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Heat people, not spaces (2015)

solar.lowtechmagazine.com

111–120 of 335 posts

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#111

Idea: Divert some CPU generated heat to the keyboard and wrist rest of a laptop. Code outside in any season.

IIRC many phones are designed to radiate heat from the screen for similar reasons, keeps the device comfortable for the user and improves cooling effectiveness since phones are usually screen up.

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#112
In the US wood construction is the norm for residential buildings.

These cannot go below a certain temperature, not much below 60F, otherwise dry rot will slowly but permanently damage these buildings in most places (depends on humidity). I suppose if you drop the humidity below a certain point you might get by with pretty low temperatures.

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#113
post #60

An issue with keeping yourself warm with clothing is some hotspots get too warm, and others too cold. Like the armpits usually get too warm, but your exposed hands too cold. If your slippers have sheep's wool in them, like ugg slippers, then they often sweat a lot or feel a little wet while simultaneously feeling cold at times, or warm enough. Most sweaters are also not designed to keep your armpits a little bit cool…

Are there any good fingerless gloves for typing? I'd like to give them a shot, cold hands are usually what causes me to turn the heat on and I try to use as little heat as I can.

I use a heated desk pad under my keyboard.

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#114

In the US wood construction is the norm for residential buildings. These cannot go below a certain temperature, not much below 60F, otherwise dry rot will slowly but permanently damage these buildings in most places (depends on humidity). I suppose if you drop the humidity below a certain point you might get by with pretty low temperatures.

I lived in an Australian house on the shady side of a narrow stream valley, temperate climate. If you didn't heat in winter, dew would form on the walls inside at night as temp fell and mold would grow everywhere

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#115
post #60

An issue with keeping yourself warm with clothing is some hotspots get too warm, and others too cold. Like the armpits usually get too warm, but your exposed hands too cold. If your slippers have sheep's wool in them, like ugg slippers, then they often sweat a lot or feel a little wet while simultaneously feeling cold at times, or warm enough. Most sweaters are also not designed to keep your armpits a little bit cool…

Yeah, but is that sort of discomfort worth the energy usage of heating the entire room?

An alternative is also, as it is mentioned in the article, to warm certain spots in a room instead of the whole of it.

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#116
post #60

An issue with keeping yourself warm with clothing is some hotspots get too warm, and others too cold. Like the armpits usually get too warm, but your exposed hands too cold. If your slippers have sheep's wool in them, like ugg slippers, then they often sweat a lot or feel a little wet while simultaneously feeling cold at times, or warm enough. Most sweaters are also not designed to keep your armpits a little bit cool…

I've found quality wool garments to be very helpful. Examples: A thick wool "cable knot" sweater is both warm and highly breathable, ideal for hiking. Wool socks (and/or wool felt slippers when it's very cold) keep feet warm without any of the clamminess (or smell) associated with cotton or synthetics. Merino wool underwear has similar benefits.

The price is higher compared to cotton or synthetics, but it's possible to find good values by shopping sales. The daily rewards of wool (in every season) are worth the extra effort.

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#117
In high latitude Australia I reckon this is seems to be the norm. A lot of prison colony age houses still and not great insulation so attempting to maintain a warm temp in the entire house would be expensive, plus it typically doesn't get that much below freezing even if that. If you don't have a wood burner stove it is common to have a couple panel heaters in strategic rooms, use hot water bottles in bed, etc.

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are there any good fingerless gloves for typing? I'd like to give them a shot, cold hands are usually what causes me to turn the heat on and I try to use as little heat as I can.

I use a heated desk pad under my keyboard.

Do you have a link to one you recommend?

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#119
post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Moist air from cooking increases the humidity in the house. The walls of the house are cold, the moisture condenses on the cold walls keeping them damp for the entire winter.

If you're thinking, "but I don't cook soup that much", remember the chemical equation for burning methane with oxygen.

Or just humans breathing. And plants. Pets too.

Re: Heat people, not spaces (2015)

#120
post #60

An issue with keeping yourself warm with clothing is some hotspots get too warm, and others too cold. Like the armpits usually get too warm, but your exposed hands too cold. If your slippers have sheep's wool in them, like ugg slippers, then they often sweat a lot or feel a little wet while simultaneously feeling cold at times, or warm enough. Most sweaters are also not designed to keep your armpits a little bit cool…

Are there any good fingerless gloves for typing? I'd like to give them a shot, cold hands are usually what causes me to turn the heat on and I try to use as little heat as I can.

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