How to convince my family not to run the fireplace?

Question

I live with my sister's family.  In the winter she loves to turn on the fireplace downstairs, unaware that doing this makes the heat turn off, leaving the upstairs very cold.  I get home from work at 8pm, and have to blow hair into my hands all night to keep my fingers and nose warm.  It's sometimes too cold to sleep.  It's also extremely cold in my niece's room, and the other day I saw one of them crying because she couldn't get warm even under her blanket.  But I can't just explain it to them because they think that I don't know anything.  Can someone point me to a page or a video that will explain it to them?

John C · Answer

Is your sister an idiot?? Whatever room the thermostat is in that's the room that regulates heat for the entire house. Some newer/larger houses have separate thermostats for upstairs and downstairs but sounds like your house does not.  The room where the fireplace is located most likely has the thermostat on the wall or is nearby so when the fireplace room gets to be a warm 70°F for instance but the thermostat is set for 68°, the heater will never come on.  The other rooms will get colder and colder while the fireplace room stays nice and toasty. An option for you is to get a portable space heater that can heat your room.  They aren't that expensive and if you get a 750watt model it shouldn't use that much electricity.  Not sure if you pay rent or utilities but I would think if you are that you have a right to be comfortable.  The other thing you can do is to relocate the thermostat. However, doing that will be costly and you most likely will need to get a professional to do that.

Anonymous · Answer

Tell em to not use the fireplace and use the air conditioning....

Pearl L · Answer

just turn it off

Anonymous · Answer

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How to convince my family not to run the fireplace?

4 Answers