Uh, there's something five feet long and a foot in diameter hanging from the ceiling, at the end of a pipe that tees off the big pipe from the top of the furnace, with a drain valve at one end. I presume that's the expansion tank?
(So I guess I shut off the valve leading into it, drain it into a bucket, then re-open that first valve? Or should there be no water entering it with the furnace turned off regardless of the first valve?)
Clearing enough space in that bedroom will require removing a dresser and a small bookcase, or a couple of cardboard wardrobe boxes I'm using as a closet. (That's the green room, where Perrine can sleep with me. It'll be easier to clear space in the blue room, but that's the "cat dander free in case my allergies act up or an allergic guest comes over" bedroom. I might use the blue room anyhow though, if the house gets uncomfortable enough.)
I'd have to look up the current price of oil, but it's probably reasonably close to what anusara is paying, probably a little more. If I can squeak through January and the first week of February using it only for half an hour or so on the coldest days, I should be okay after that. But the rest of January does have me nervous.
Oooookay ... I was expecting some sympathy, but not a quick and easy answer to the spurting regulator problem in the wee hours just after posting. Wow. Thanks. (Actually, I wasn't expecting it to be a problem with a quick or easy solution at all, so it's a triple win.) I've got the expansion tank about half drained -- that's when my elbow complained about holding the bucket, so I'll finish in the morning. I'll see whether I can fit the stepladder back there to rest the bucket on, or find a hose to attach.
That size/shape steel tank makes an entertaining noise when each air bubble sploings its way in. Maybe I should tape a piezo pickup to it before I resume, and record it just in case I ever need that sound for something. (It made Perrine's eyes get really big.) I kept thinking there had to be a "let the air in faster" valve someplace that I was overlooking. Haven't found one though.
If I make the blue room safe for the heater, I'll have a comfortable place to dress (and that's also where the Mac is), and unless the weather gets extreme or I get sick, I have enough blankets to still sleep in the green room, as long as I can pry myself out of the bed on cold mornings. Worst case I can retreat to the blue room and trust Perrine to figure out she can hide out in the bathroom if she's cold too.
Still working up to the "take up a collection" thing. Not opposed in principle to asking for help; I'm just really bad at convincing myself to do so.
Really relieved at the simple answer to the furnace problem.
Here's a little secret: diesel fuel is very similar to heating oil, can be burned in an oil furnace, and can be purchased without first paying off the debt to the oil company. Farm diesel (no road tax) is often cheaper than heating oil. (of course, you do have to haul the stuff home in gas cans)
(no subject)
(So I guess I shut off the valve leading into it, drain it into a bucket, then re-open that first valve? Or should there be no water entering it with the furnace turned off regardless of the first valve?)
Clearing enough space in that bedroom will require removing a dresser and a small bookcase, or a couple of cardboard wardrobe boxes I'm using as a closet. (That's the green room, where Perrine can sleep with me. It'll be easier to clear space in the blue room, but that's the "cat dander free in case my allergies act up or an allergic guest comes over" bedroom. I might use the blue room anyhow though, if the house gets uncomfortable enough.)
I'd have to look up the current price of oil, but it's probably reasonably close to what
(no subject)
He said Yes, that's right.
Yeah, I'd say use the blue room if it's cold nuff! Get one room safe for using the extra heater.
Suggest you take up a collection of money for heating oil. I'm pretty broke myself, but I'd contribute a bit for that to help out.
(no subject)
That size/shape steel tank makes an entertaining noise when each air bubble sploings its way in. Maybe I should tape a piezo pickup to it before I resume, and record it just in case I ever need that sound for something. (It made Perrine's eyes get really big.) I kept thinking there had to be a "let the air in faster" valve someplace that I was overlooking. Haven't found one though.
If I make the blue room safe for the heater, I'll have a comfortable place to dress (and that's also where the Mac is), and unless the weather gets extreme or I get sick, I have enough blankets to still sleep in the green room, as long as I can pry myself out of the bed on cold mornings. Worst case I can retreat to the blue room and trust Perrine to figure out she can hide out in the bathroom if she's cold too.
Still working up to the "take up a collection" thing. Not opposed in principle to asking for help; I'm just really bad at convincing myself to do so.
Really relieved at the simple answer to the furnace problem.
(no subject)