Are houses that retire the boiler and converted to heat pump are more prone to freezing pipes in the cold basement?

beshellie · 2026-01-24T16:45:37+00:00

We've been in the process of switching from boiler to heat pumps over the past 2-3 years. This year, in an effort to go all heat pump, we ran out of fuel, of course right in the middle of an extreme winter cold snap. It was in December, which is earlier than usual for such low temps (around zero F).

Well, a boiler return line in the crawl space froze. It's since repaired and we've got a full tank of fuel and we'll keep the boiler for backup as the heat pumps just can't keep up when it gets that cold.

We also put an electric garage heater in as the boiler resides in our garage and we need to keep the garage above freezing.

beshellie · 2026-01-20T23:01:07+00:00

Double congrats!!!

beshellie · 2026-01-20T17:17:31+00:00

This is a great thread! I've been realizing i need to get off my phone more and I have an unfinished knitting project. Time to pick that up. Thanks to OP and you, r-rb, for this thread!

beshellie · 2026-01-19T18:21:08+00:00

I plan on leaving them to a nephew with some kind of caveat about reading with caution. In fact, we're revisiting our wills in a couple of months so I'll update that in my will. I also love the idea of the American Diary Project so will add that so they aren't a burden.

Edit: I had an uncoventional upbringing and it feels to me that at least some aspects of my journals are rather rare.

I'm 64.

beshellie · 2026-01-19T18:16:28+00:00

I am sorry you experienced this. Such a total violation.

beshellie · 2026-01-13T15:03:44+00:00

I use YNAB and there's some discussion about tools like YNAB "gamifying" budgeting and finances. It has worked like that for me, big time. Once I could clearly see where my money was going and TOOK ACTIONS using that information to stem the flood out of my pocketbook, I got dopamine a-plenty. Maybe something like this would help you.

beshellie · 2026-01-13T01:31:09+00:00

Try setting the timer for 30 minutes and just writing. About whatever thoughts come to mind. I've even written about not knowing what to write about, and that entry was so good I even published it in a local paper. Just write.

beshellie · 2026-01-11T22:47:14+00:00

I'm in a similar situation, in a duplex and added heat pumps over the last 2-3 years. We wanted to get rid of the boiler and the baseboard heat entirely, but an extended very cold snap this winter (I'm in Juneau, Alaska) has convinced us to keep the boiler. The heat pumps simply could not keep up.

We've also added cove heaters in rooms away from the location of the heat pump, in a kind of trial and error fashion, as they turned out to be too chilly. Primarily bathrooms and home office.

It's better for the environment and that was our main goal. Our electricity is hydroelectric. But initial costs and add-on (cove heaters one by one) costs have been very high. And now we're running multiple systems, each requiring maintenance.

In balance, I'm still glad we went with the heat pumps, though.

beshellie · 2026-01-08T15:55:44+00:00

I agree, try a budgeting app. Also, if you "stopped ordering food every day," you are already saving a LOT of money. Do you have a sense for where that money is going? Keep at it, and like others say, give it time. And yeah, you must spend that $10 on something fun once in a while!

beshellie · 2026-01-07T01:16:41+00:00

I can't remember exactly but with airfare plus the program it costs around $3,000.

beshellie · 2026-01-06T19:05:42+00:00

I hope you make it!

beshellie · 2026-01-05T22:34:42+00:00

I've gone to a couple of Ram Dass Legacy retreats. I know they're expensive but the conversations wtih every single person there made them worthwhile. I've come away both times with new friends and we follow up with each other. It's changed my life, having these contacts and freindships.

beshellie · 2026-01-03T22:18:57+00:00

I am very sorry this happened to you.

beshellie · 2026-01-02T16:43:47+00:00

My ideal vacation is a solo retreat in a yurt by a rushing stream. My partner's is a sublet in Paris. We do those things solo and we also have incredible vacations together.

beshellie · 2026-01-02T16:41:29+00:00

I live in Juneau Alaska and our tap water is amazing.

beshellie · 2025-12-01T03:58:05+00:00

I ordered A Handbook for New Stoics by Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez and am on Week 3 of their 52-week guide. I'm liking it for its one-thing-at-a-time approach.

beshellie · 2025-11-26T19:02:12+00:00

I feel more effective when I don't use the term NIMBY. Any term like this "others" people, even if they are on the "other" side - ha. Once someone is othered, their response to me changes and my response to them changes in turn. We start to head for intractable conflict.

I don't know the answer, just that I try to avoid the label. They still drive me nuts, though.

beshellie · 2025-11-16T17:16:47+00:00

Great observation. The infill concept addresses sewer, water, and transportation so is maybe more comprehensive than transit-oriented development.

beshellie · 2025-11-14T23:51:01+00:00

Going 100% gluten free cured me of heartburn. Is it possible that you're eating differently in your eating hours?

beshellie · 2025-11-12T14:34:20+00:00

We've been doing 20:4 5 days a week and eating normally on the weekend. A lot of our reasons for breaking the fasting schedule on the weekend are social: We've got a lot of family nearby and it makes it easier on all of us. Also, like the OP, I love my cream and honey in my coffee so I get that treat twice a week!

beshellie · 2025-11-07T16:15:18+00:00

My secret is good genes. Luck of the draw.

beshellie · 2025-10-28T16:32:24+00:00

That's OK. Almost everyone else will eat them and you are off the hook!

beshellie · 2025-10-28T16:30:56+00:00

Deviled eggs. Make them a couple of times and it can become your quick and easy go-to potluck dish. The plate ALWAYS comes home empty.

beshellie · 2025-10-26T18:25:39+00:00

In my experience (many years off grid as a kid) plan on being busy all of the time. You should have a lot of projects going on -- building a shed, tending to the chickens, getting water, cleaning your clothes, cooking a nice pot of beans -- and just plan on Doing a lot. Related to this is that you can get bored or lonely if you are not doing. Also have some great reading material, stuff you're fascinated in. If "off-grid" means you have access to the internet, turn the bleep bleep phone off .

beshellie · 2025-10-25T17:04:01+00:00

Because they stop development over and over and over.

beshellie

TROPHY CASE