We finally turned on the heat this morning. We’ve had a pretty erratic fall, going from high 70s and shorts weather to 50s fall weather and then back up to 80s and then down to the 40s. Seems like every weekend has been a different season (so far the pattern has been summer, fall, summer, winter). We went through one morning of it being only 59 degrees in the house, but when it happened again this morning it was time to cave. Plus Lexi, the impervious to the cold child, was complaining. And that’s when the whole ‘how long can we wait before turning on the heat’ game turns into guilt.

In terms of how long we waited, this year was pretty average. Though the internal temp was the lowest in seven years, so that’s something. I guess. (Assuming tracking when you turn on the heat is something.)

Here’s how this year stands up:

• 2012: October 8 (inside temp: 59)
• 2011: October 20 (inside temp: 60)
• 2010: October 24 (inside temp: 63)
• 2009: October 2 (inside temp: 63)
• 2008: October 16 (inside temp: 61)
• 2007: October 11 (inside temp: 63)
• 2006: September 21 (inside temp: 64)
• 2005: October 24 (inside temp: 55)
• 2004: October 5 (inside temp: 58)
• 2003: September 29 (inside temp: 58)

Thanks to a warm fall, we made it pretty far this year before having to turn on the heat. This morning I finally caved. I was hoping to make it through the weekend (it’s supposed to warm up), but no such luck.

We did endure the lowest inside temperature we have in five years, so that’s something.

Here’s how this year stacked up:

• 2011: October 20 (inside temp: 60)
• 2010: October 24 (inside temp: 63)
• 2009: October 2 (inside temp: 63)
• 2008: October 16 (inside temp: 61)
• 2007: October 11 (inside temp: 63)
• 2006: September 21 (inside temp: 64)
• 2005: October 24 (inside temp: 55)
• 2004: October 5 (inside temp: 58)
• 2003: September 29 (inside temp: 58)

We finally turned on the heat. We came home from a weekend away to find the house at 63 degrees. After much complaining I finally caved and turned it on (nevermind that it was 62 the other day and going one more day would have set a record).

On the upside, 2010 is now tied with 2005 for the longest we’ve ever gone without turning on the heat. Of course in 2005 it was 55 degrees in the house, so we could have lasted longer. But back then there were no children and Abby was pregnant, providing her own built-in heater. I think we only made it this long this year because it’s been so unseasonably warm.

It’s now a comfortable 67 degrees in the house—perfect temperature for a Cosby sweater. Complainers can go put on another shirt or go clean something. That’ll warm you up!

And yes, I’ve now entered my grumpy old man years.

I continually find this information fascinating, so here’s the rundown of when we’ve turned on the heat for the last few years:

• 2010: October 24 (inside temp: 63)
• 2009: October 2 (inside temp: 63)
• 2008: October 16 (inside temp: 61)
• 2007: October 11 (inside temp: 63)
• 2006: September 21 (inside temp: 64)
• 2005: October 24 (inside temp: 55)
• 2004: October 5 (inside temp: 58)
• 2003: September 29 (inside temp: 58)