What would you do?

[Jack Straw]

My daughter graduated college yesterday and is moving back home today. We have a raised ranch and her bedroom is in the basement as well as the wood stove. It was 58 degrees down there this morning and it tends to be damp. My options were to run the oil fired boiler to warm and dry up the basement or let warm, moist outside air in and then run the dehumidifier to dry it out, or start a fire in the stove. Since I am on "stay-cation" this week I started a fire. What would you have done?

 

[Nick Mystic]

I would give your daughter the choice of what she wants to do since it is going to be where she is living. If she wants to haul wood and tend a fire then she can heat with wood. If she would rather pitch in and pay for the electricity for the dehumidifier, she could go that route. The same with paying for the oil.

 

[PapaDave]

If you haven't already, teach her to run the stove. Or, let her help pay the oil bill.
Good life lesson.
I'd probably give her a minute to catch her breath first.

 

[lumbering on]

Dehumidifier can make life pleasant, but I ran one 24/7 when my basement flooded and it absolutely ATE electricity.

 

[Jags]

Fire.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Wood heat can dry things out nicely as well as warm up the room.

 

[fossil]

Subtlely encourage her to get a job and find a nice warm place to live.

 

[ddahlgren]

I have a small fire going enough toget the chimney hot but not run me out of the house yes it is 50 something but a late night glass of wine and a bit going in the wood stove can be very relaxing.

 

[dafattkidd]

I would definitely be lighting a fire as long as your daughter doesn't have any strong objections. I wish it was cool enough for a fire most nights.

 

[billb3]

Fire

can she (help) handle keeping the stove going as needed ?