House Works: Cottage heating in the off season

Q: Can I safely leave the heat turned off in my cottage over winter? The floor is hardwood and I’m concerned about warping. I’m retired and don’t want to spend the $200 a month it costs to keep minimal heat on.
A: In my experience, warping of floors is a function of moisture movement, not temperature change. If the floor has been stable for a while, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble leaving the heat off. Incrementally reduce the temperature, keeping your eye on