It's getting chilly in Northern California. We finally had some rain this week, and temperatures are dropping a little.
This may seem obvious; but, instead of flicking the heat on and cranking the thermostat up to 85, we've just thrown on our sweatshirts and curled up under our favorite throws, which saves quite a bit of money and energy.
It's been easy because we own about four of Patagonia's Synchilla Blankets. (That's what happens when your parents live in Patagonia's hometown.)
If, like us, you already have plenty of blankets, then you obviously don't need to buy any more. If you do need a couple, we can highly recommend these throws from Patagonia. They come in a variety of colors ($30) and prints ($40); they're warm; they're made from recycled materials, including soda bottles; and Patagonia pledges one percent of its sales (via 1% For The Planet) to environmental causes.
Eventually, most of us will have to turn on the heat. When you do, here's a useful guide to efficiently setting your thermostat from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Do you have any tricks for staying warm and keeping the thermostat down a little lower or off a little bit longer?
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Where is Patagonia's hometown? Because I live in a town with a Patagonia outlet and let me tell you, it's trouble. But on the blankets specifically, I would have to recommend a pattern as opposed to a dark solid as they pick up everything! I've had a navy one for a while and it drives me nuts! So while I agree that they are great and thick and soft, if you have pets I say skip the navy.
view Anne (in Reno)'s profile
I wish we had control over our heat, but our building turns it on, and way, way up, when they see fit.
view melissagbl's profile
The only trick, if it can be called that, is to insulate well and keep the humidity levels up. To achieve that in our old, drafty house, we replaced windows, added insulation where we could, and kept pans of water on the radiators (I loved radiator heat!).
Now in our condo (near DC) we use a humidifier but haven't made many other changes since it's newer construction and insulated pretty well. We REALLY benefit from being surrounded by others who must keep their heat crankin' because we go a good part of the winter without having to turn the heat on at all, and when we do it rarely comes on. Sometimes we've even had to open a window because it gets too hot without the heat on at all :-)
view classiccook's profile
we're still somewhat using the air conditiong.....it's still hot....meh
view elizabeth in AL's profile
Patagonia is based in Ventura, CA.
Having been a child in the Carter era, I still set indoor thermostats no higher than 68 degrees in the winter... though it'll be after Thanksgiving before I need to worry about turning on heat.
view wende in the twin cities's profile