- by Andrii (Logan) Zvorygin

If you've been looking at your natural gas bill over the last year or two you will have noticed some fairly sharp increases in heating costs. For example my heating bill in Owen Sound is over 60% more this year than it was a few years ago.

CTV News reports there may be a further 100% increase this winter. In this article I will cover  some of the reasons for the increase and various ways of reducing energy bills  while staying warm and comfortable this winter.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel with finite reserves, and while consumption is increasing, supply is declining, so prices are rising.  Due to diminishing fossil fuel reserves we are in a phase some analysts call "Scarcity Industrialism", characterized by decreasing energy availability and an increase in energy conservation measures.
Notably decreasing your thermostat in your home by one degree celsius can reduce your heating costs by 10%.

But what is the optimal temperature to keep your house? The simple answer is "it depends", as it can be quite subjective, however there has been much research done on what is optimal for a healthy human.

Subjective perception of thermal equilibrium begins with a healthy body, and the body regulates its temperature via the thyroid gland, which is dependent on having a source of the essential nutrient known as Iodine.

While iodine is found in iodized salt, based on my calculations if you eat your full serving of salt for the day, you will only get around 70% of your iodine requirements for a young adult. However iodine requirements increase as we age, so some elderly people may feel chilly even when it is relatively warm for other people, if they are iodine deficient.

Also notably many people use sea salt or rock salts which do not have iodine in appreciable quantities. Personally I use a kelp based iodine supplement from a local health food store in downtown Owen Sound called Lawsons. One large jar is generally enough for a year's supply, well worth it, has dosage directions on the side of the bottle.

Now once our thyroids are nice and healthy, it's also good to have good clothing. For winter the most effective is to have either cotton or a wicking layer over the skin, and then to have a polar fleece or wool layer over that. It is important not to forget to also layer the pants, as it will be less stressful for the body if blood flow can be even.

When we go outside we may also put on a coat or snow pants depending on how cold it is outside. But considering that it is more convenient to not have to peel off all our layers once we go in the house, we can keep the temperature somewhat cooler in the house than we do in warmer months. Also getting our layers on in the morning after getting out of bed, makes it easier for us to go outside, as may only need to put on a coat, instead of many additional layers.

In "Introduction to Architectural Science" by Steven Szokolay they review numerous thermal comfort formulas that have been produced in the scientific literature over the last several decades. The one they end up settling on is Tn = 17.6 + 0.31 * To.av. In English that means the optimal indoor temperature in Celsius is equal to 17.6 plus 0.31 times the average outdoor temperature.

I got the climate data for Owen Sound from the Wikipedia page

Here I'll list the average for the month (a), and if you have a more fancy thermostat, you can also set a night time (n) , and a daytime temperature (d). Because I know some people are still metrically challenged, I will include results in Fahrenheit as well in the attached table.

Here is a list of average indoor temperatures for the heating months: September  22C 72F, October  21C 69F, November 19C 66F, December 17C 63F, January 16C 61F, February 16C 61F, March 17C 64F, April 19C 67F, May 21C 70F, June 22C 73F

I know that between reduced light exposure and colder temperatures it can get a bit dreary in the winter. But with lower indoor temperatures it'll be easier to get outdoors to enjoy the sun, as you'll already have several layers on.

Also can partake in traditional warming activities of the northern latitude nations such as Finland, by visiting a local sauna. There is an Owen Sound based sauna manufacturer "True North Saunas", and so there may be a neighbour near you with a sauna you can visit for a social occasion. In Finland the traditional day for having a sauna is Saturday, can be a good time to get together with friends or the family and warm up for the week. Can accentuate with a snow bath, for an invigorating addition.

Hope you stay comfortable and enjoy our winter here in Owen Sound.

May you be blessed.