Community Corner

Survey: What Temperature is it in Your House?

Our house is 57 degrees right now. That's lower than minimum standards set by state law.

It's the time of year when the battle over whether to turn on the heat rages in homes across the state.

I won the skirmish in our home in Salem last night — my wife and I added a down comforter to the bed instead of turning on the heat. But with lows in the 30s predicted for Thursday night and Friday night, my victory could be short lived.

It's 57 degrees in our house. I work mostly at home — today in two sets of socks, a barn jacket and a winter hat.

If I kept a newsroom or office that cold, I'd be breaking the law. The state's minimum for office temperature is 66 to 68 degrees. Stores only have to keep it 65 or more.

I'm also running afoul of State Board of Health regulations for residential buildings. They say daytime temps of less than 68 degrees or nighttime readings of 64 or less don't meet minimum standards.

What temperature is it in your home? Have you turned on the heat yet? Or are you holding out until at least November?


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