Waste Heat

A (physicist) friend in Boulder said that incandescent light bulbs and "waste heat" get a bad rap. So what if incandescent light bulbs put off heat if you use them in the winter or at night, when your house could use the "waste" heat anyway?  Heat is not wasted if you need it.

I'm reminded of this because we are experiencing the coldest temperatures of the year (so far) without home heating.  We are awaiting a new motor and other replacement parts for our 15 year old furnace.

Our thermostat keeps track of how many total hours the furnace runs and we've been logging about 50 yours per winter.  This doesn't sound like much, but the total includes only times when the furnace cycles on.  The motor also runs the whole-house fan, which is hooked up to an electrostatic air filter.  We run that any time of the year when dust or pollution is a problem.  The motor ran for more than 50 hrs*15 years and we should have checked the system *before* we needed it.  Live and learn.

We replaced most of the incandescent light bulbs in our house with fluorescent ones.  Right now, I am really grateful for the few remaining incandescent bulbs in our home because of the welcome heat they put out.  Our indoor temps have been hovering between 55-63 F this past week while outdoor temps have dipped as low as the upper 30s.  At home, we dress like we do at night at camp.

Related:

• Furnace Wars 2012 
• Stick That Up Your Light Socket 

Aside:

I just love this vintage lamp my MIL gave me. I need to replace the rotted leather lacing, but it's in great shape otherwise.  I've received some fantastic mid-century pieces from Sweden and Japan from both my mom and my MIL in their recent decluttering campaigns.

This could get a little complicated

says the guy who wrote a short 2-page basic guide on how to use our last TV set-up.

The real secret to how I can read/sew/knit/cook so much?  I honestly don't know how to watch TV any more at home.  It's a big time saver.

Yesterday in Pictures

The Goodyear blimp made multiple trips between its hanger in Carson and the coast.

School let out early but the school officials and Beach Cities Transit (who runs the bus system) did not coordinate schedules as they have done on prior minimum days. Iris called an SOS and I ran two trips in my Prius to haul kids home to North Redondo Beach (NRB).

Afterwards, Iris and I were famished. We longed for hot bowls of noodles. An image of Black Ajitama ramen from Ramen Iroha flashed in my mind and off we went.  For $2 more, they double the serving size and give you an extra bowl.

Happy holidays from chez BMGM.

BTW, Iris is wearing Simplicity 2689 top in a rayon/silk challis and (you can't see it) Kwik Sew 3476 leggings in RPL ponte.  I sew more than half her clothes, but I'm too busy to blog about it.  I will try to list pattern numbers and whether or not I recommend them for those that are also sewing for coltish girls.  These two patterns are staples in her wardrobe.