After thinking I needed to build an ark over the last couple days, that thought has been replaced since liquid has turned solid outside… crunchy and frozen over. The current Indiana weather is ruff on a dog mom (me!). Dharma’s fear of just about everything under her feet with the exception of carpet, (it’s getting even worse as she ages with bad hips), means escorting her to the yard.
Yes, even when I’m still in pajamas…
Wind howling at 18º when I got up this morning (feels like 6º in case you want to feel sorry for us Hoosiers), all I can think about is heat — hoping I keep it, and wishing every living creature that needs it has it.
When considering heating options for new builds, you might find the following info important:
If you’re entertaining the idea of building a barndo or a home on a slab, you might be considering radiant floor heat with an outside boiler (gas or electric). It’s said to be cheaper but I’m not sure I agree when it’s a wood boiler and you don’t cut/split/haul your own. I started the winter season with $1000 bucks of wood delivered.
With the frigid weather incoming — high winds and temps forecasted between 5º and 13º for highs — I want to mention that outside boilers use electric. Its thermometer is powered by electricity and the temp measured determines when the damper opens and closes — also electric. And, it takes electricity to push the heated water through the floors.
So far with these crazy strong winds we haven’t lost power — and I’m happy it’s not ME adding wood to the boiler on days like this:
We currently have zero options insofar as backup heat should the electric go out. Just like anything else, there are pros and cons to radiant floor heating via an outside boiler.
PROS:
- hot water for days
- toasty warm floors
- zero noise
CONS:
- Can’t adjust temps for specific rooms
- Can’t lower temp at night
- Requires outside attention in inclement weather
I love the barndo’s radiant floor heat even with the cons; however, the older I get the more I realize we should also implement a back-up plan. I’m about 80% sure it’s going to be gas stoves… 1 upstairs and 1 downstairs.
Now you know: Of the 400-500 shark species, no organ capable of producing sound has been found.