Hey guys, I came from a country that doesn’t have “winter”. Our winters are usually rain and temp go as low as 8-10°c when it’s worse. But thats about it.
I came here during the summer and it was going fine so far but these past week , it had gotten to get difficult. I know you’d laugh at me if i said 7°c got me cold but thats the reality and I’m even struggling to sleep at night because my feet and hands get super cold.
We have AC in our apartment but it only seems to be bringing in cold air, tried changing the mode and increased the degree to 30, still cold. So I came to you guys for help.
I have bought blankets (comfort wast getting me any warmer) and it seems fine but still the room is super cold when i wake up and makes it hard to get out of bed.
So dear kamloopsians , give me all your winter tips. If there are things i need to buy and the hacks. Thank you.
Turn off that air conditioner. The heating is seperate from the ac completely. In an apartment each room usually has its own heating controls. Ours are right above the light switches. Comforters aren't really the best for winter, you want fleece or minky. Buy warm fuzzy socks to wear around the house. Youre also gonna want to get good, preferably waterproof boots, hat and gloves. It gets wet, cold and icy here in the winter. Very icy
Go to Mark’s and Mountain Warehouse and tell them you need to fall and winterize. They’ll help you. If you’re staying in Kamloops, you need to get both snow and ice boots from Mountain Warehouse if it snows. Have them picked out and know your size then on Black Friday and Cyber Monday go in or online to the store to purchase them.
Not sure what minky is that he's talking about but wool is another good thing to have for layers. You can get wool layers at outdoor stores or workwear stores like marks.
Another option to warm up at night is a hot water bottle or heated blanket.
But do not leave a space heater on unattended or leave the house with it on as they are well known to start fires. In fact, unplug it when you shut it off. Set a timer so it does shut off completely. And never put it any material or furniture with say 3-5 feet. They are not meant to be on for hours and keep kids and pets AWAY from them.
I have this model under my desk at work! If you're heating a larger room though, go a bit bigger. As long as you keep the door closed, these guys can heat up your space pretty well!
But also a space heater should only be used while you are in the room, even with safety features they can be a major fire hazard. A lot of people have lost everything or died because they left a heater unattended.
Great way to warm up a room but its a very common thing in peoples home that they ober look or don't realize the hazard.
First, figure out the heat in your apartment. Then, if you have the money, you can get heated everything. I have a heated jacket, heated slippers, a heated mattress pad (goes under the fitted sheets), a heated scarf, and rechargeable hand warmers to go in my jacket pockets when I'm out walking. Under my desk at work I have a space heater. You can also get a membership at the Y and go for a sauna or hot tub when you get too chilled. People say you get acclimated, and to a certain extent you do. 7C in the fall and 7C in the spring feel a lot different. But some people just struggle to get warm. I'm one of those.
Heated items are nice but a luxury and definitely not required to get warm. There's a lot of good comments, I echo the "layers" comments. A sweater with a jacket will have you sweating before a single coat will
It varies. I get some on Amazon and some from Costco. People know I’m always cold, so some were also gifts. They’ve built up over the years. You have to decide what is the most important to you. Jacket was the most expensive. Handy but I wouldn’t start with it. Hand warmers or a heated blanket would be cheapest. You can get rechargeable hand warmers for $25 on amazon. I just bought the slippers and am loving them, but they were $80 on amazon. I had a cheaper plug in foot warmer before them, but couldn’t walk around in it. It was probably half the price. I used to have hand warmers that you reset by boiling them in water. They were good and cheaper (you can get a 5 pack for under $15 on amazon) but more work and the heat doesn’t last as long.
Also go to marks work warehouse for good boots and clothing. Layers are your friend, undershirt, shirt, sweater etc. also try value village and the op shops if you need $$$ friendly.
Baselayers will be super helpful. You don't have to spend a lot on them, places like Sport Chek or Costco will have affordable options.
As for the AC, is this a unit you installed, or was it included. The apartment I first lived in here had a window unit AC, and then separate baseboard heaters.
Like long johns basically. I bought my husband a few pairs of thermal undershirts and thermal legging underpants from Costco and Winners. His work place is very cold and this helps a bit.
Have you looked for a thermostat? They are usually mounted on a wall somewhere. If your heaters are broken, your landlord will have to fix them by law, but I think it's likely they were turned off for the summer.
Sometimes the control dial is on the end of the baseboard heater, but most likely a wall thermostat. Definitely ask you landlord to show you how to use it :)
There is a thermostat somewhere. Your heat is turned off, you need to turn it on. Be aware that if you pay hydro for your apartment, those are electric heaters so don't crank it up high or you'll be shocked at your hydro bill. As others have stated, turn them on but leave at a little lower than you think you want and get some electric blankets or more warm clothing to wear indoors like slippers and warm fleece.
You miiiiight have baseboard heaters in your apartment for heating. Most likely that is an air conditioner for cooling air in summer time close to the balcony wall. One sec I can Google an image of baseboard heaters
Some great options here but forgive me, it sounds like you need a bit of a basic introduction to cold weather.
Staying warm in cold weather is all about insulation, which is directly related to trapped air. Either trapped by physically separate layers (like 10 T-shirts) or by the fibers of the material itself, like wool.
Base layers are usually skin tight clothes worn directly next to the skin. These are usually wool and designed to wick moisture away from the body. Sweating in cold weather is very bad. Do not sweat, this can be difficult if you are walking to the bus stop for example. You may find that you have to remove your hat, or unzip your coat.
So basically you want layers of trapped air that your body will warm naturally, this is what will insulate you from the cold.
Big jackets or gloves will work for a time, but layers is really what you need. It can be impossible to layer gloves for example, but you'd be surprised how some gloves can act as a bit of a thermal regulator. For example, big 3-finger gloves can sometimes "split" at the knuckles and the finger tips actually folds back allowing your fingertips to be out in the cold. This can be good in short durations to keep your hands from sweating, or if you need dexterity for a brief window of time.
Take a moment to Google "Canadian Winter Gear" and check out Costco, Marks Work Warehouse, Salvation Army, etc for some options.
Basic essentials in my opinion; Hat/Toque that covers the ears, gloves, outer layer waterproof jacket/windbreaker, inner fleece jacket or vest, comfortable hoodie (preferably fleece lined), thermal base layers (wool), waterproof/windproof pants (can be just elastic waist), thick wool socks, waterproof boots
Kamloops winters are pretty mild all things considered from a Canadian perspective, so everything should be readily available in almost all stores. You absolutely do not need to purchase heated anything (assuming you get your apartment heat figured out)
Water bottle in bed 30mins before you sleep is a great idea. Have lots of soup at home, that and tea are great late night low calorie options to heat your body before bed. Same with a hot shower right before bed.
if i said 7°c got me cold but thats the reality and I’m even struggling to sleep at night because my feet and hands get super cold.
No 7 ℃ inside is definitely cold. I believe there's a minimum in the tendency act, but I don't know the specifics.
We have AC in our apartment but it only seems to be bringing in cold air, tried changing the mode and increased the degree to 30
30 ℃ is way too warm for me - but I'm assuming you have a separate AC unit. Setting it to 30 ℃ will do nothing.
You'll need to look for the thermostat on the wall - either way, just contact your building manager. They'll help you figure out the climate control in your unit
Warm boots/shoes with grips/treads for walking on ice- ideally water proof as well. A super warm coat, gloves and a scarf and warm hat. Check second hand as well, these items can definitely add up but you’ll use them
Good winter outerwear should have a label telling you what temperature it is meant for. You mentioned not having a car- if you will be walking/bussing you need to invest in good winter clothing. Look for a rating of at least -30.
You will need:
-good, warm, waterproof winter boots, ideally with good ice grip soles. Do not cheap out. Your toes can legitimately be in danger if you are outside in a real cold snap.
-a good, warm winter jacket, waterproof and wind-proof. Longer is better, so it covers some of your legs. Preferably with a hood.
-a good toque. Wool is ideal. It should cover your ears.
-warm mittens, waterproof.
-snow pants.
You may also want:
-wool balaclava to protect your face in very cold weather
-heated bed sheets
-wool socks
-base layers (thin, stretchy insulated clothes that you wear under your normal clothes for extra warmth).
-lined pants (costco has great ones)
-sweaters, wool
Costco is usually the cheapest place to find all of this, although they dont have the widest selection. You may have some luck at some used sporting goods stores too.
Yes. Checkout marks work warehouse’s website as an example. I don’t know where you’re moving to kamloops from so not sure if you’re familiar with it, but it’s a popular/common clothing company which sells clothes for workwear and casual outdoor use. You’ll see lots of clothing that is cold graded or will say anti-skid boots or what not. If you’re not sure where to start I’m sure Reddit has winter clothing brand recommendations somewhere.
Ambient temperature for Kamloops winters is historically 5°c. We have the third warmest temperatures for any inland city in the country, just after Kelowna and Penticton. That being said, last winter was quit warm, and this coming winter is projected to be even warmer. BUT we do get loads of days in the negatives, and usually a week or two of minus 20 or 30. Anything below 15-18 inside is considered cold. There is heating in your apartment, by law, so just figure out where the controls are for that.
The landlord doesn't want your pipes to freeze in the cold in the winter (this is a thing if you let your place get too cold!) there will definitely be a way to heat it
Well, I kind of lucked out and bought one for $47 from Bianca liquidation store when it was still here. But I think it might run you up around 60-70$, try looking for it in big box - you might come across one which is heavily discounted.
Avoid 1st street at all costs in the snow or ICE. Spend the money and get studded tires. Buy a pack of glove warmers and keep them in your jacket pocket. We have pretty mild winters but do get the odd cold snap so just dress warm and careful on the roads
I dont have a car yet.(Not sure if i will buy till winter but), Imma be using the bus or on foot. Where do you suggest I get the gloves? And what kind of jacket do you think is best?
I would check out Mark's work Warehouse for really nice winter Jackets. But if money is tight go to Value village and get a snowboard Jacket. They are expensive new but great deals at value village 👏. Glove warmers you can pick up online like amazon or marks work warhouse. You can even get electric heated socks these days but just getting an insulated boot of any kind to keep your toes warm in the snow! I dont suggest walking to much if you can avoid it. Iced sideawalks and walkways are an absolute hazard in the winter and not always maintained.
Hey i know its not home related but when the snow comes ice will be hidden underneath always make sure one foot it planted and to shuffle like a penguin 🐧 good luck
I have an electric fireplace that sits below my bed that I turn on in the cooler mornings. Warms me right up. I also throw on my fuzzy housecoat/ robe and slippers as soon as I get up.
Get a warm fuzzy bedspread (I got one from Costco last year— its roots brand) Costco usually carries nice warm bedspreads for a decent price.
Filling a 2L bottle with hot water and putting it in bed with you can be lovely.
Wearing a pair of those thin, cheap stretchy gloves inside your mittens works like a hot damn to keep your hands warm during cold snaps.
Layering with wool with a wind proof jacket on the outside. You can usually find cheap thin wool sweaters at thrift stores (check the tags to make sure they are wool)
Comfort over fashion 😉
(Also get the heating figured out like others have said is a must)
Those microwave beanbags (magic bags) also work! Just make sure not to go too hot. I start them them at my feet in winter and move them up to my back/hips.
Filling a 2L bottle with hot water and putting it in bed with you can be lovely.
Wearing a pair of those thin, cheap stretchy gloves inside your mittens works like a hot damn to keep your hands warm during cold snaps.
Layering with wool with a wind proof jacket on the outside. You can usually find cheap thin wool sweaters at thrift stores (check the tags to make sure they are wool)
Comfort over fashion 😉
(Also get the heating figured out like others have said is a must)
I never knew true winter comfort until I invested in one one of those oversized blanket hoodies. You can grab em off Amazon for relatively cheap. Not ideal for wearing out of the house, but amazing for cold days at home.
Buy a hot water bottle and fill it up before bed! Buying good bedding can take a while financially so this is also a cheap, quick fix. I’ve lived here all my life and do it every winter!
Make sure it has some sort of cover so it doesn’t burn you (like a towel wrapped around) then keep it under the blankets while you sleep. I usually put it near my feet to keep my toes warm!
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u/kirbygay 19d ago
Turn off that air conditioner. The heating is seperate from the ac completely. In an apartment each room usually has its own heating controls. Ours are right above the light switches. Comforters aren't really the best for winter, you want fleece or minky. Buy warm fuzzy socks to wear around the house. Youre also gonna want to get good, preferably waterproof boots, hat and gloves. It gets wet, cold and icy here in the winter. Very icy