My grandparents have a small cottage in Ogunquit, Maine, where they live from April to November. Unfortunately, it's uninsulated, which makes it uninhabitable in winter due to the harsh conditions. Recently, we learned they might not be able to stay at their usual winter residence this year. I'm trying to figure out if it's remotely possible to heat their home effectively under these circumstances. They're both over 80 years old, and I'd love to hear any ideas—though I'm not expecting much!
3 Answers
If your grandparents have a wood stove, that might be your best bet! Stock up on firewood and make sure they have plenty to burn. Also, covering walls with heavy blankets or rugs can help trap in some heat. Electric blankets are a lifesaver for cozying up at night, and look into radiant electric heaters that focus heat directly on people instead of trying to warm the whole room.
Installing insulation would definitely be the best option if you want to keep it warm. It might be pricey, but you'd realistically be trying to heat the outside if you don't have it. If they can’t install insulation on the walls, consider adding an interior wall to sandwich some kind of insulation in there. It doesn’t hurt to check out options online, though I know how frustrating that can be!
Honestly, I’d be cautious about keeping them there in winter, especially at their age. They could really get cold quickly, even in a well-heated space. Beyond heating, there’s a lot you need to consider like legalities of winterizing the house. If they aren’t used to the snow, it could feel really isolating for them! You might want to look into temporary rentals with heating in a warmer place or even consider some fun winter escapes instead.
Totally agree. Keeping the temp constant is a huge effort, and those heating bills will be sky-high. Maybe some cozy electric blankets and a space heater could help a bit!
Yeah, that sounds like the only feasible option. Adding something interior seems tricky, especially if they’re not open to major renovations. I feel you on the Google struggles!