The Parrot Perch Message Board

Home temps?

Posted by Jan in MD, perch host on 10/14/2009, 9:46 am

We are coming up on cold weather again- only in the upper 50's in our area today. In an effort to keep utility costs down, last winter we kept our home around 67 degrees during the day. We'd actually kick it up to 69 when we got home, but basicly we kept the house pretty cool, in my opinion,. The birds did well. On really cold days, I turn on the propane fireplace for awhile since they benefit from that. The cats love the heat of the fireplace, too.

I have reptile type lights on three cages. The finches are on a timer and it goes on for about a half hour every morning and they often bathe, then sun themselves under it, to dry off and warm up. I turn the ones on the two big flights on each morning for a bit and sometimes while cooking dinner. Thinking of getting timers for those also.

So, what do you all do? What do you plan to keep your heat setting at this winter?

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Re: Home temps?

Posted by Cathy and the girls on 10/14/2009, 12:16 pm, in reply to "Home temps?"

Well, I'd like to try to get used to it being cooler. Our rates were raised last winter. I was thinking of getting a medium-sized Avitec heat panel for at night for the girls but money's tight. I already use multiple covers in the winter. I have a heat pump. I tried leaving it at 69 at night but it was just too freezing. So I left it at 70 and that was better. I would turn it up to 73 in the morning and let it cycle a few times and then when I left for work I turned it to 71 or 72. I can't remember now but it'll come to me when I gauge comfort levels. I do way better in the summer with the AC, doesn't run a lot, stays cool but in winter the heat pump is really bad. Seems as if it runs and runs and runs. And on top of it all, I have a freon leak. My service guy thinks it might be in the coil in the inside unit and he said that heat puts more stress on the coil than AC because of the direction of the exchange. He quoted me $1,700 for the repair. Sigh. I belong to AARP and I get their newsletter. I've been noticing an ad for a new type of heater that's nontoxic, doesn't get hot and you can bring it from room to room. It's supposed to save big bucks.
Cathy and the girls
Cathy and the girls

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Heat panel

Posted by Jan in MD, perch host on 10/14/2009, 7:00 pm, in reply to "Re: Home temps?"

The tiel I am currently petsitting has a heat panel. I just plugged it in when I got home because his home is usually warmer than mine.

My actual concern about covering cages at night is something that someone brought up the other year... that if the room is warm and you cover the cage fully, how does the warm air get into the cage? So, I cover three sides generally.

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Re: Heat panel

Posted by Cathy and the girls on 10/15/2009, 10:31 am, in reply to "Heat panel"

I only cover the front, top and sides but don't do each cage separately. Since the cages sit side by side on separate tables I cover them both with covers long enough to reach/drape over the side of Shiloh's cage and the side of Lulu's cage. Also I drape the bottoms of the covers over the perches I have outside low on each cage so air circulates through at the bottom.
Cathy and the girls

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Cooler winter temps

Posted by kay on 10/14/2009, 2:43 pm, in reply to "Home temps?"

During winter the temps get cooler. There is hot water heating here, so the costs are NOT high for heating, and every 2 months the electric/hydro is about $50 or $60 Canadian.

I do not use the large oven, just a toaster oven and one stove element for cooking, baking, toasting, reheating. Fridge is not large and is low-energy usage. Microwave is not used much.
Compact flourescent light bulbs are in each area,
and there are extra duvets/comforters if needed.

Temps usually do not fall below 65F inside.
Parrots have a cover at night, and if the wind is blowing and it feels a little drafty at their window, there has to be a bathsheet clipped across the backs of their cages.
Otherwise they enjoy open blinds in the mornings when the sun shines in!

Like your idea of the special, full-spectrum warming lights for birds! Smart idea!

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Re: Home temps?

Posted by Esther in Pa on 10/15/2009, 5:48 pm, in reply to "Home temps?"

I think we have it set at 70 right now. Was a whooping 37 degrees here today. Northern PA has a winter weather watch! I am enjoying the season as it has been really warm here the last few years and it didn't feel like fall/winter.

If you keep the temps steady, it'll save on energy costs. You may also want to have your thermostat looked at. We had a new one installed and it's been saving on the electric bill. We have oil/forced heat and central air. Also, ceiling fans can help keep costs down by circulating the air more efficiently. Something about an up-and-down draft depending on the season. Can't remember which is for what though. I love cold bedrooms so our ceiling fan runs 24/7 with only one heat vent open.

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Re: Home temps?

Posted by Cathy and the girls on 10/16/2009, 11:03 am, in reply to "Re: Home temps?"

LOL, I forgot to mention that one of the gazillion parts I have replaced was the thermostat. The new one is digital.

I have one ceiling fan in the "dining" area but the girls are always out so it doesn't get turned on.

I acclimated with the higher setting during the summer so I'll just have to make the effort to adjust to a lower temp in the winter. It's been 54/56/52 degrees here. I turned the thermostat to heat and set it at 70 but the inside temp has been staying at 73-75. That's pretty good.

Cathy and the girls

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