Dealing with the CCCCCCold

John R. Hall

Are there any "new" inventions out there for people who have to work in this sub-zero stuff? Other than staying inside or not going to work, how does one keep warm under these conditions?

Brad White_9

Polygamy.

Polygamy and earmuffs.

Lurkin' Murkin'

Feel Good!

I like to perform a steady sequence of James Brown impersonations - actually have to start removing clothing, to keep from overheating!

Weezbo

i have heard it said,,,

that the definition of genius is: "fluidly adapting to ones environment."

So, How are the Fluids, Dan? *~/:)

even on Vacation he is secretly calculating the calorific effect of another slightly tasty....:)

Dave Stroman

I am so glad someone else is getting the cold instead of us. We are about to break some records for the amount of snow and the length of time it has stayed on the ground. Our temp. today is pushing 60. ahhhhhhh.

Dave in Denver

Ragu_5

Dave...

Really, you are pushing +60? Good for you! You guys have had a tough one. How much snow so far this winter?

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mtfallsmikey

My answer for you Mr. Hall is:

1. Insulated, flannel-lined work pants, such as made by Dickies. Better than long johns.
2. Insulated (Thinsulate) flannel shirts.
3. Insulated coveralls...Walls, Carhartt( Redneck Polo )or TSC brand.
4. Remington insulated gloves, knit hat.

I spent some quality time in the 11 deg. air yeaterday on the roof of one of my bldgs. changing belts on an exaust fan. That was my outfit yesterday!

Maine Doug_52

On this day

I wore long underwear, insulated pants, Carhart bib overall, T shirt over undershirt, woolrich shirt, sweatshirt and rubber bib overall and rubber sleeve covers and insulated rubber gloves, 2 pairs of propylene socks and insulated rubber high boots. Takes 10 minutes to prepare to pee.
When just driving, same socks and boots, insulated pants and shirt and Sterns work suit. The suit is so warm I sometimes have to unzip and uncover head to radiate some heat. Glad I do not have to go up on a roof. On the water there are no complaints unless the divers are not finding scallops.

John R. Hall

Thanks Mikey

For sticking with the subject.

Maine Doug_52

The right layers

of long johns offer an adjustable level of warmth I find.
Thin layers offer insulation with less bulk, something you may find makes it easier to work. First layer of silk, second layer of polypropylene, third layer of micro-fleece. You put the first layer of bottoms on and a pair of socks to secure them. Then the first top which is left untucked. Next layer of bottoms and tuck in the first top. Next is the matching top which is also left untucked. Two layers are done. Next is the third bottoms layer and then third top layer. Another pair of socks to anchor the last bottoms. A shirt of choice and pants of choice. Shirt and last underwear top get tucked into pants.

Shirt and pants of choice are work clothes or lined work clothes. Hand warmers can be tucked into pockets for rewarming hands. Toe warmers can be added to boots when feet start to chill from standing.

Keep a dry towel available. If you are perspiring from some temporary exertion, the head and neck can be easily dried with the towel so the layers do not lose insulating capacity. You may need 2 pairs of boots, one pair larger for the days needing more foot layers. Too tight makes for cold feet. The hand and toe warmers are the self contained iron-oxide type avaliable in drug stores and camping stores. I keep a variety of sizes in my first aid kit in the Jeep. If you know you are going to be out for some time, activate the warmers so they will be ready for instant use.

edit- forgot balaclava or ski masks. Can also be layered. Comes in cotton, silk, fleese, polypropylene. Great wind breaks.

mtfallsmikey

Thanks John!

After I saw your pic in the magazine, i need to bear the utmost respect for such a distinguishing fellow!

John R. Hall

Yikes

I'd think the opposite would be true. :-)

And now, back to our topic...

Troy_3

Cold and snow

The town I live in received 52" since sunday and currently its 3deg. They say we could get another foot today. Fun WOW!

Mark Hunt

Easy


SCCCCCotch!

On the rocks of course!

Mark H

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Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_1

Photoshop!

Layers John, but even layers don't do much at 5F. We've had a number of commercial rooftop units to work on these past two days & it's been brutal. Lots of busted pipes and a few hydronic systems that went poof. Heat pumps are useless in this chill, so they're in the mix too.

The classic call of the week? Hydronic system with a domestic coil. Not heating enough. Aquastat set to 140F because the last mechanical guru told the HO's to turn down the aquastat so the potable water wouldn't be so hot! D'OH. So, naturally we recommended a thermostatic ASSE 1016/1017 valve, which they refused, and cranked it up to 180 F. That was last week in much milder weather. End of story? Nope. Turned out they have a wood stove & in this bitter cold snap, they decided it would be a great idea to close all of the room doors and fire up the wood stove until it glowed cherry-red. Nice-n-toasty in the few rooms that serves. Problem was, so was the thermostat. It dropped to 24F in the second floor rooms. Busted baseboard heating elements all over the place. Their stance? It's our fault because we turned up the boiler's aquastat! Some people......

Almost forgot. They turned off the electric heat in the suite above the garage too & that abutted one of the 24F rooms. No insulation in the wall separating the rooms!

Then there's the poor folks who called with solidly frozen house trailers. Drains and water lines frozen.

Lots & lots of busted pipes these past two days. It's a stressful time for all involved.

Heat wave tonight as it's only dropping to 11F. Tis the third night of sub-freezing temps below 20, which typically preceeds all hell busting loose. But, that's nothing compared to the -40F actual temps seen in the center of this Alberta Clipper.

More than a few systems have been ancountered this week that were replaced, but without the benefit of a heat loss calculation to determine proper sizing. One little old lady we met has a home that can't get to 60F inside. Another couple who just purchased their home where the previous owner & a "buddy" installed a new furnace (and some odd-ball off-brand on-demand tankless they found on E-bay) that is grosley undersized - by 30K Btu's! Think layers & layers of sweaters. We gave them our Manual-J calculations to take to an arbitration hearing. Nice folks who got duped.

Tis not the time to call for sevice if you're a dead-beat - the one silver-lining in this cold-cloud(G). Lois has a keen memory!

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Great advice Maine Doug! We rarely get extremely cold weather in my area and I can usually avoid outdoor work when it is extremely cold.

I do though have a pair of silk long johns. Best first layer I've ever used. Compared to other types of long johns they seem be much better at preventing you from overheating when you exert yourself but also better at retaining your heat when you're inactive.

Again, I've never experienced hideous cold, but do have a greatly oversized plastic windbreaker that I use for the final layer. If I start to overheat I take off the windbreaker.