Susan in TN Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 It has been much colder than usual this November and ds says his room is very cold. (He said the temp doesn't get above 62*, which isn't freezing, but maybe too cold for comfort?) We heard through the parent of another student that the heating system is not turned on until after Thanksgiving. So aside from more clothing layers and a hat, do you all know of ways to warm up a room? (Space heaters are not allowed. Not sure about electric blankets.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 It's almost Thanksgiving! That's the good news. If they won't turn on the heat all he can do is wear more clothing, fleece in nice and spend less time in his room. Many of us in the far north leave our heat at 62. This early cold has caught everyone by surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Fleece is very warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Several hot showers a day? Several cup-a-soup and hot beverages a day? Does he have an immersion heater or a microwave to heat water to make hot ramen or soup, and hot tea/coffee/cocoa? Wearing a knit cap helps hold in a little extra body heat. Fleece-lined slippers are awesome for keeping feet warm. What about gloves without the finger tips, so he can still type/write, but keep the extremities of hands a bit warmer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Thin gloves with the thread in the tips that will let him use touch screens, if he uses a lot of those. And yes to a small hat; my dad has not much hair but appreciates that hat I knitted him one year in a soft yarn. Hair dryer so he can warm his feet and hands quickly when he's been outside? Thin long underwear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Space heater? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share Posted November 22, 2014 Several hot showers a day? Several cup-a-soup and hot beverages a day? Does he have an immersion heater or a microwave to heat water to make hot ramen or soup, and hot tea/coffee/cocoa? Wearing a knit cap helps hold in a little extra body heat. Fleece-lined slippers are awesome for keeping feet warm. What about gloves without the finger tips, so he can still type/write, but keep the extremities of hands a bit warmer? Cup-a-soup is a great idea! Hot chocolate, too. There is a full kitchen on his floor with a microwave, so that would be easy enough. He said he went to Walmart the other day to find gloves and was surprised that even the cheapest pair had those touch-sensitive fingertips on them. Space heater? Unfortunately they aren't allowed. He has a corner room with east and north facing windows, so I wonder if that adds to the chilly factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathermomster Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Wool socks, fingerless gloves, and a down comforter might do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbollin Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I remember covering the windows with pillows and blankets in my dorm room. blocked some of the cold feeling. and had to wear socks to sleep. and robe too....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Get together a bunch of dorm-mates and sleep somewhere warm and public in protest of the delay in turning on the heat. OTOH, in the Navy they kept the berthings at 65F and dry to discourage microbes. My home made afghan plus issue wool blanket, plus sleeping in clean socks were helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I would get those microwaveable warmers. A hot pot so he could consume plenty of warmer liquid. texting gloves, inexpensive ones are available at Target. I wear texting gloves at one of my jobs from October through April the office is ridiculously cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kebo Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Something like this might help: http://smile.amazon.com/HotHands-Toe-Warmers/dp/B00PSZJCAG/ref=pd_sim_a_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=0PZ5AVETX5044R5SY60D. I think they would work in pockets, too, to warm up hands. Actually, they make a similar product for hands, but one might do double duty. There are also electric socks, but the reviews are spotty on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeAndTheBoys Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I always look at these instructions but have never really DONE it. My youngest son has a FREEZING cold room, but it isn't south facing (I think it's east?) so maybe it won't work. Hanging thin fleece blankets on the walls and over the windows might help-- http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36322.asp b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 It's just the opposite for my daughter.... Winter came early, with 15 inches of snow and 0 degree temps, and the dorms are so hot that my daughter wears her sleeveless shirts when in her room and still has her light summer blanket on her bed. However, last year she was living in an area that was quite cold indoors. We sent her a heated pad that you heat in the microwave. She would sleep with it, and even bring it to class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 A hot water bottle ~ my daughter got good use from hers while in college. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I remember covering the windows with pillows and blankets in my dorm room. blocked some of the cold feeling. and had to wear socks to sleep. and robe too....... If you are looking for cheap window insulation -- try those mylar emergency "space" blankets. They're like 2 bucks each and lightweight (therefore easy to tape up and have them stay up) and have great insulation value. ETA: If there are actual gaps in the windows, cord weatherstrip will block them and can be easily removed later. http://www.amazon.com/Frost-King-B2-Caulking-19-ounce/dp/B000LNODSQ I got a roll of something similar at my local Lowe's for 5 bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I love these things microwavable heat pad things. I have the Thermalon brand, and got them from Walmart. Here is an amazon link to one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Electric blanket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elisabet1 Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I would send a small space heater anyway. Maybe one that does not look much like one. One with no pilot light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Χά�ων Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Electric blanket or electric mattress pad. My son could not be in that cold of a building without severe medical problems so I would be having a fit. Especially if living in the dorm was required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 It has been much colder than usual this November and ds says his room is very cold. (He said the temp doesn't get above 62*, which isn't freezing, but maybe too cold for comfort?) We heard through the parent of another student that the heating system is not turned on until after Thanksgiving. So aside from more clothing layers and a hat, do you all know of ways to warm up a room? (Space heaters are not allowed. Not sure about electric blankets.) Heating pad! I have one I've been using because of a recent surgery and it really warms you up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 If the temp were in the low 60's, I wouldn't care if the rules said No Space Heaters. I'd have one anyway. I'd buy a nice new one that had tip shut-off and a timer. But, I would have one. Isn't there laws about the minimum and maximum indoor temperatures that the landlord can keep living quarters? I think that they are aimed at slum lords but that would apply to this situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I was thinking that some snapshots of a digital thermometer in the room first sent to the college facilities staff, then admin, then social media might get heat turned on faster. Though sometimes when you're talking about steam heating systems it really is a big production to bring the system online. And if they were still doing maintenance on part of the system, they may have no choice but to wait. One year my school had to replace the boiler in my wing of the dorms. For weeks there was no hot water for showers. I can't remember if heat was off at the same time. But I do remember sleeping with my head under to blankets and a hat on often in the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 OP I'm assuming his heat was turned on when he returned from Thanksgiving. Is that correct? But if anyone is in a cold dorm now, they should bring it to the attention of the residence director or other administrators for a quick solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 My room was terrible...very breezey around the windows so always a cold draft blowing across us. My dad got window plastic and came one weekend and covered our windows. It wasn't a fire hazard because it was easily to break through in order to open the window if we had needed to but it sure made a difference in our comfort level. It is put up with a light tape that doesn't hurt anything. He and his roommate could do it easily. I could have, but dad liked having an excuse to come see me. LOL Also, window quilts will work as well if he is worried about what the maintenance department thinks about the plastic. I am a huge fan of wool socks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootsie Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 If the temp were in the low 60's, I wouldn't care if the rules said No Space Heaters. I'd have one anyway. I'd buy a nice new one that had tip shut-off and a timer. But, I would have one. Isn't there laws about the minimum and maximum indoor temperatures that the landlord can keep living quarters? I think that they are aimed at slum lords but that would apply to this situation. The laws regarding this vary from location to location. In NYC for example, it only has to be 55 degrees between 10:00pm and 6:00am--and that is only if the outside temperature is below 40 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I know this isn't a solution, but I'd be seriously upset if this were my kid. 62 degrees in the day time may be an option for some people, but if I'm paying tuition, I would expect that my child has what I would consider reasonable living conditions. And 62 degrees during the daytime with no other option for actually heating the room is not reasonable, imo. Dd's roommates have the apt. pretty warm, 70 day and night. She just opens her window. But at least she has some control over the temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 The previous poster reference to daytime temp made me wonder what a normal minimum daytime temp was. Chicago was the first city that came up in my Google search and it said Minimum Heat (Mun. Code Ch. 13-196-410)Generally applies to all residential units that are rented. Chicago's heat ordinance requires that from September 15th to June 1st, rental units must be supplied with heat in order to achieve the following minimum temperatures:68 degrees from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 66 degrees from 10:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Heated mattress pads on Amazon Lightning deals today. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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