To the editor:
News of winter heating worries prompts me to share some thoughts on keeping warm. Striving for warm rooms is unnecessary when it is warm bodies that are needed to save energy. But keeping the body warm to avoid turning up the heat requires more than adding a sweater. Some ideas may help those who are working on clothing combinations to feel comfortable at lower temperatures. To offer these, I draw from experience growing up at Nickerson Lake near Houlton; traveling to many countries and living in a few; lowering my thermostat to 46 degrees for one winter; directing a 10-year-long federally-funded energy conservation counseling program; and surviving 10 days of the 1991 ice storm in Rochester with only a natural gas hot water heater functioning (no electricity or furnace).
Long skirts, dresses, nightgowns, nightshirts and robes are warmer than slacks, pants or tights. Long skirts or dresses may require more than one slip. Some men prefer sweats to pajamas.
Gains in body heat have actually been measured for buttoning up a shirt, adding a necktie or scarf, and for wearing a belt or sash. The Japanese-style wide sash wrapped twice and tied side-front is the warmest.
Insulated underwear can be worn under any garment; otherwise, a cotton turtleneck makes a good first layer, with a vest or weskit added, then a heavy, long wool sweater. An old adage says that to warm the feet, cover the head. The smallest beanie, or even a little doily placed top center, adds noticeable warmth. In the 1980s I responded to a magazine ad for a red flannel stocking cap as a joke for my boss. He wore it at home, even to bed.
Sleeping warm is a must, no matter how cool the room Flannel sheets are used mid-October to mid-May and some people add socks or use water bottles. Electric blankets have been linked to cancer and other serious illnesses because of their EMFs, or electromagnetic fields.
Only small, radiant-type electric space heater should be used, set at least four feet from a person (because of the EMFs). The heat warms the body, not the room, so using one minimally, as in a bathroom or other small area, can save money. Hot water, left in lavatories, sinks or bathtubs until cool, also helps.
People vary in tolerance for cold, depending on gender, health, diet, and activity level. I find 58-60 degrees comfortable and may go to 52 degrees at night. When the power came back on after the ice storm, the thermostat had fallen to 34 degrees.
Waiting to turn on the heat this fall will save fuel and money to help out when temperatures fall later on. An optimistic mindset, along with the networking being provided, should have very positive results. I will be with you all in spirit.
Rochester, N.Y.
