Maine Heating Debate: When Is the Right Time to Turn It On?

Wanna get in a heated heating argument?

Just ask any Mainer what is the "right" time to turn the heat on. Not only will you get a hundred different answers, every single person you talk to will think you're absolutely insane for thinking the way you do. While I understand this is a common occurrence in Maine, it seems particularly common when discussing heat.

It seems everyone has their "perfect time" to turn it on. Others are fiercely ambivalent, saying it's up to you and there's no real right answer. I kind of agree with the latter sentiment myself. If you can afford to run your furnace as high and often as you want, who's stopping you?

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There were two general vibes, though.

Olivier Le Moal

This question was asked via our social media pages, and if I had to say there was some kind of arc, it would seem most people try to wait until the 1st of November. A ton of people also just hold out until they can't take it any longer. That's usually how I roll, in combination with the idea that I'll turn it on when I feel like it.

Nuthawut Somsuk

Some folks asked if heat pumps were cheating. Maybe cheating is a strong word, but heat pumps do allow you to quickly take the edge off, without having to commit to turning on the full heat, or building a fire, or something along those lines. I won't lie, I turned my heat pump on a couple times recently. And I have no regrets.

But let's allow Mainers, in their won words, to describe what they believe to be the optimum time to turn up the thermostat. While it's true there are no right or wrong answers, I have to admit the person who said they turn it on come Labor Day, must be from away. Heat on in the summer?! Come on... Anyway, read on for the "truth".