How do you handle the cold? (Boise, Pocatello: townhouse, buying, living)

[Fisherman 100]

I am going try snowshoeing.

[DESERTRYDER]

Originally Posted by Fisherman 100

I am going try snowshoeing.

News Flash , Film at 11,

Large white Male stuck in snow for hours, now home safe

[brokencrayola]

If it gets below zero, even with the wind chill factor leave a stream of cold water coming from each of your faucets so they won't free up. Do not leave hoses attached to outside spogots in winter too.

I love the feel of wood heat in the winter, it is so warm.

My first winter here, which was 28 years ago, I was in my late 20's and didn't have a clue about winter. It was very cold out one evening and I had no car and decided to walk across town to the library. I was freezing by the time I got there, but instead of warming up there before coming home I thought I would just hurry back home. I had no hat on, just a coat. By the time I got home I was just freezing. I could not get warm it seemed and I got really sleepy and got under my covers. Something told me not to go to sleep and I got up. It took hours to get warm, even with a hot shower. I saw the doctor the next day and he told me if I had fallen asleep I would have probably died, as he was sure I had hypothermia. Remember that most of our heat escapes out of the top of our heads, so always wear a warm hat or cap in the winter.

[pw72]

For you newcomers, the past couple of days don't even come close to "cold" in Eastern Idaho. I even wore my light summer jacket today, wasn't too bad a decision except for a few minutes walking between outdoor locations. Sure, a shock to the system this early in the year, but 35 degrees and a breeze is nothing compared to -02 degrees and a breeze. Just let me say, it will get much worse. Atleast these moderately-cold temps will help us "step-down"!

[shades_of_idaho]

Well heck it is not cold yet. Still wearing my dresses and light jacket, Birks. Did get a little corn snow on the way to the post office this morning but it blew over pretty fast.

I agree pw72. Eastern Idaho is much colder than over this way. We had 17 degrees the day we moved from camper to house when we were building and that was in October. This morning here is was 38 when I first looked and warmed to 40 as soon as the clouds went off. Course 38 is prime temp for snow. I know 32 is freezing but we see it snow more often at 38 then 32??? Go figure it is Idaho.

Chris

[KTMMan]

DR, make sure you don't run out of that Idaho potato juice.

[mistyriverranch]

Originally Posted by brokencrayola

If it gets below zero, even with the wind chill factor leave a stream of cold water coming from each of your faucets so they won't free up. Do not leave hoses attached to outside spogots in winter too.
.

We use heat tapes on pipes too...that makes a big difference. On really cold nights we have to pour a little pink antifreeze down the shower drain to prevent it from freezing.

[DESERTRYDER]

Misty please explain the heat tape a bit more.
Do you leave it on all year or remove it in the spring?
Where do you put it ? do you leave it plugged in anytime it gets below freezing ??

What about running the water??? Tell us more... Just a slight trickle even if I am on a well ??

Escrow is 1/2 way over and we will be moving soon...

[tdna]

Originally Posted by shades_of_idaho

Well heck it is not cold yet. Still wearing my dresses and light jacket, Birks. Did get a little corn snow on the way to the post office this morning but it blew over pretty fast.

I agree pw72. Eastern Idaho is much colder than over this way. We had 17 degrees the day we moved from camper to house when we were building and that was in October. This morning here is was 38 when I first looked and warmed to 40 as soon as the clouds went off. Course 38 is prime temp for snow. I know 32 is freezing but we see it snow more often at 38 then 32??? Go figure it is Idaho.

Chris

It's 12 degrees right now at my house in Victor. Brrrrrr.

[mistyriverranch]

Originally Posted by DESERTRYDER

Misty please explain the heat tape a bit more.
Do you leave it on all year or remove it in the spring?
Where do you put it ? do you leave it plugged in anytime it gets below freezing ??

What about running the water??? Tell us more... Just a slight trickle even if I am on a well ??

Escrow is 1/2 way over and we will be moving soon...

We originally built our cabin as a summer place and put it on piers so we have a space underneath that can get cold. We wrap all the pipes under the cabin with heat tapes and then insulation. They stay on the pipes year round and we recheck them every fall to make sure they are all intact and the wiring is fine. We plug them in once freezing temps hit and leave them plugged in all winter. We don't need to keep the faucets dripping because of the heat tapes. Though when it gets really cold, like
-20 we open the taps for a few seconds once or twice a night.