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Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

lowtechmagazine.com

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Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#51

Post by hessenwolf »

jraedisch wrote: post #43

A complementing approach is to teach yourself and others to tolerate lower temperatures, especially in offices and other environments, where people have to agree on a "comfy" heater setting. I wonder how much energy that could save.

This is really true. Where I am from, we discuss a six-week period or so when the season changes, from shitty to other-shitty, in which we say either your blood or skin thickens to the cold, or your blood thins for the warmth. (somehow, the skin never thins) I have no idea if this has any scientific basis.

Anecdotally, the partner of the Columbian who shares an office with me is complaining that she is now used to colder temperatures.

Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#52

Post by gambiting »

mistermann wrote: post #39
Mandatum wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Rarotonga in the winter months you can buy puffer jackets with copper wiring sewn to the inside with a 9V battery.

Very cool....how long does it last?

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/columbia-omni-heat-circui...

Apparently 5.5h on maximum power,which is pretty impressive.

Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#54

Post by erikb »

I don't know about other people but since I have to pay for heating I am deeply interested in this topic. The article provides a conclusion, but what are solution options? How to exactly use the classic principles with modern technology for more efficiency?

And the second point is that I am a lot more comfortable in an air heated system than a radiator system. Having a radiator warming me means one side of me is too warm and the other too cold, also eyes and breathing pathways get dried out a lot more, and I still need more clothing. Wearing less and having no dried eyes is a clear advantage of air heating.

Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#55

Post by rwallace »

Theodores wrote: post #17
OneOneOneOne wrote: post #2

This sounds like a good idea until mold starts growing in your house. Back in the day the houses were not insulated as tightly and people did not shower every day.

In the UK we have plenty of old houses where there is no central heating, double glazing, loft insulation or fitted carpet. Typically the windows are wood framed 'sash' windows with the walls made from quite thick stone (1 - 4+ ft thick). Heating might be just the one fireplace with the kitchen cooker also there to warm the house up. I grew up in such a house and not once did I see mould. Typically such houses were b…

It's worth bearing in mind that coal is the most environmentally destructive of all energy sources, by a hefty margin. Wood is renewable, but most people don't live in places with the kind of big surplus of wood you would need for everyone to use it as fuel.

Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#56

Post by SixSigma »

erikb wrote: post #54

I don't know about other people but since I have to pay for heating I am deeply interested in this topic. The article provides a conclusion, but what are solution options? How to exactly use the classic principles with modern technology for more efficiency? And the second point is that I am a lot more comfortable in an air heated system than a radiator system. Having a radiator warming me means one side of me is too…

Tune in next week to find out!

Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#57

Post by SixSigma »

jraedisch wrote: post #43

A complementing approach is to teach yourself and others to tolerate lower temperatures, especially in offices and other environments, where people have to agree on a "comfy" heater setting. I wonder how much energy that could save.

Except: fat people and thin people

Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#58

Post by dmritard96 »

Scoundreller wrote: post #28

3 Points: 1. Cars are moving into this with heated seats, and even heated steering wheels. Electric cars in cooler climates that don't have the excess heat production of an IC engine will depend on it to keep occupants warm. 2. There was an article a while back on HN about a fellow that had a computer desk with a heated keyboard, heated mouse, heated floor mat (designed for animal cages) and a warm incandescent light…

Our video is a bit outdated but we are building an HVAC solution to make at least room level control a reality as well as seamless.

www.flair.zone

Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#59

Post by aaren »

Theodores wrote: post #17
OneOneOneOne wrote: post #2

This sounds like a good idea until mold starts growing in your house. Back in the day the houses were not insulated as tightly and people did not shower every day.

In the UK we have plenty of old houses where there is no central heating, double glazing, loft insulation or fitted carpet. Typically the windows are wood framed 'sash' windows with the walls made from quite thick stone (1 - 4+ ft thick). Heating might be just the one fireplace with the kitchen cooker also there to warm the house up. I grew up in such a house and not once did I see mould. Typically such houses were b…

Regarding the circulation problem, you might want to look at the 'ecofan':

http://www.ecofan.co.uk/woodstove-ecofans.html

It's a heatsink with a peltier sandwiched in the middle that drives a fan. Works pretty well for wood burners. Also it's just fun to get electrical energy from your stove :)

Re: Restoring the Old Way of Warming: Heating People, Not Places

#60

Post by lportion »

KevinMS wrote: post #21

I just recently got a heating pad just for this purpose. Its freezing here up in the NE. To save money (apartment has terrible insulation) I got a heating pad with a 'stay on' feature. Actually I had to get another one because my cat got the idea first and now its hers. http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-2013-912-XpressHeat-Heating-Ex... Turned the apartment heat down to about 55 (it stays around 60 for some reason), and…

It looks like it's 180W, so it would run for about 4 pence an hour (in the UK, depending on rates).
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