heating rooms in the home: a question

[adoptaratcanada]

I don't know anything about temperature requirements for rodents other than rats, but maybe someone will have an answer for this:

If I want to warm up a single room *a bit* (yes, the rat room), is it more cost effective to touch up the (gas) furnace for the entire house briefly, or use a space heater (ceramic heater)?

I personally like it COOOL, but I can't let the "rat room" get too cold, so although I might not normally touch up the heat for myself, I have to in order to warm up the rat room. More curious about the costs, though.

Thanks!

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

Why don't you get a heating pad or an infrared bulb as used for reptiles?

How cold is "too cold"? For you.

My worry is the Spiny Mice. They don't have actual fur, and if the room dips into the low 60's F I worry. I would not worry at that tempertature for the other rodents. So long as they have fur.

[Andrea]

I'm not sure on cost, but i do have a space heater in my rodent room.
We don't have the heat on during the day when we are not home or when we are sleeping, as we try to keep the cost down on the heating. I didn't see a lot of a raise in my electricity last winter with the space heater, though wow big time when i use our A/C.

I use a small heater with an auto shut off, so if it heats up to much, or get's knocked over it turns off right away.

[Die Fledermaus]

What again do you consider "too cold" for rats??

[adoptaratcanada]

I understand they should be kept between 65-75F. They are better off cooler than warmer. The room rarely drops below 65 (so far), but I was surprised it was even THAT cool.

I've put a ceramic heater in there and it warms up very quickly if I pop it on for a few minutes. I have to go kick it over and see if it turns off

I'm really not looking forward to my electrical bill's annual adjustment!! I bought an a/c this year and had it on ALOT. I'm such a wimp in warm weather. I really should move further north! If anyone doesn't believe in global warming, you just need to look at Vancouver here, formerly the 'rain capital of
Canada'! I've lived her all my life and NO ONE ever had an air conditioner! I've noticed over the last few years more and more of them showing up in the windows of homes, so it's not just my imagination I think we've averaged one day of rain per month for the last 5 months!

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

I HATE the hot weather. In the Summer even with the expensive a/c on I oftgen can't get the living room where most critters are to below 85 F.

But isn't the rainy season in the NW and BC just starting? Last year (or two years ago?) I remember Seattle being waterlogged daily!

[adoptaratcanada]

But isn't the rainy season in the NW and BC just starting? Last year (or two years ago?) I remember Seattle being waterlogged daily!

Please let it be so!!!

Well, it used to rain pretty much non-stop from October to April. Ah, how I miss the good old days! Hence the nickname "rain capitol of Canada". Hasn't been like that in several years now. I'm outdoors alot and I can count on one hand the number of times over the last year and half that I needed an umbrella. In fact, I use an umbrella more these days to keep the sun off me, rather than the rain --seriously!

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

I always wondered about that area, having been to Minnesota and all the lakes. Does not all the rain cause HORDES of flies and mosquitoes, and other six-legged abominations??

[adoptaratcanada]

We don't get alot of flies here, maybe because we're so close to the ocean (?) In the developed areas mosquitoes a relatively minor niusance...unless you're ME!!! Apparently I'm the flavour of choice!

If your'e in the woods in the summer it's another story...lots of mosquitoes.

However, this summer, no mosquitoes, no wasps or hornets....the only upside of the brutally hot summer.

Linda

[Die Fledermaus]

Maybe the temperature stays cooler than around here in NYC and that keps them down. (?) Well, so long as they are not a bother. They sure are here.