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We could also get a fireplace insert if we want to burn wood but it won't help upstairs.
Heat rises. If you keep your doors open it'll warm up nicely up there.
The other thing I mentioned was to set your fan switch on your thermostat from AUTO to ON. This will have your air handler fan run constantly which will equalize the heat throughout the house. My fan runs 24/7/365.
Sounds like you have what we do. When the house was built, a fireplace was put in with a design and construction that's something like this.
What we did was to buy a woodstove insert that slides right inside that fireplace.
It then has finishing strips to close in all the gaps to make it look nice.
You end up with an airtight woodstove in the place of your fireplace.
It'll end up like this.
These will put out as much heat as a furnace will.
We run 2 of them and heat about 3800 sq/ft. If both are running, the furnace won't kick on until
temps get to -10° or lower.
Heat rises. If you keep your doors open it'll warm up nicely up there.
The other thing I mentioned was to set your fan switch on your thermostat from AUTO to ON. This will have your air handler fan run constantly which will equalize the heat throughout the house. My fan runs 24/7/365.
They did mention to leave the doors open upstairs. The kids swear it stays warmer with the doors closed.
Varies by brand, size... The one I pictured and talk about below may be overkill.
You would need to measure your current fireplace to see what would fit. It may be better to have someone that sells/installs them to measure themselves since there's some considerations (e.g. removing existing fire brick to make the opening larger, chimney offset...).
Varies by brand, size... The one I pictured and talk about below may be overkill.
You would need to measure your current fireplace to see what would fit. It may be better to have someone that sells/installs them to measure themselves since there's some considerations (e.g. removing existing fire brick to make the opening larger, chimney offset...).
Here's the one I'm looking at. It's used one year. They're asking $250 with a cord of wood.
That is dirt cheap ... do you know why are they selling it after just one year?
If it works (and fits your fireplace!), seems like it would be a great solution. Buying an insert new would likely be overkill and very expensive (my pellet [not wood] insert was just under $5,000 installed, but I live in New Hampshire so it was worth it) -- in your situation I think I would just use oil-filled radiators as/where needed.
I'm thinking maybe an electric blanket at night I wonder how much electricity they actually use?
Try an electric mattress pad instead. They're built to be laid on, and the heat they generate stays contained within your blankets and comforters. It is not recommended to place a comforter or spread over an electric blanket. They're safer because they don't get bunched up - increasing the risk of overheating - like a blanket will. They use less energy to provide the same perceived warmth as an electric blanket.
Unfortunately it measured 2 inches wider that mine I was told the wife developed a smoke allergy, not that it smelled like smoke.
As for the mattress pad, I never heard of one of those. Sounds like an awesome idea! The only thing is, I don't know if my hubby could tolerate the heat. He likes it cooler. I guess there are temps on it.
Thanks for all the great suggestions!
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I was told the wife developed a smoke allergy, not that it smelled like smoke.
The only thing is, I don't know if my hubby could tolerate the heat. He likes it cooler. I guess there are temps on it. 
