Defy the Freeze: The Simple Trick to Get Your Heating Back on Track

Imagine coming home on a bitterly cold day only to discover that your landlord has locked your thermostat in a plastic box. Your living space is freezing, and despite your best efforts to bundle up, the chill seeps into every corner of your home.

This LPT is for those enduring subzero temperatures not because of nature, but due to a landlord who’s decided you can’t control your own heat. It may sound wild, but a simple ice pack placed on top of that lock box tricks the thermostat into thinking it’s freezing. In turn, the heating system kicks in to restore a more comfortable warmth.

Whether it’s an apartment or an office where someone’s left the thermostat on lockdown, this trick can make a world of difference. A few ice packs strategically placed can create a small thermal anomaly that persuades the sensor to call for more heat. This creative workaround isn’t just a quirky hack—it’s a life-saving tip for anyone battling bone-chilling indoor conditions.

‘LPT: If your home is freezing and your landlord locks the thermostat with a plastic lock box, place an ice pack on top of the lock box. It will trick the thermostat into thinking it’s freezing and kick the heat on to adequate levels.’

Heating and energy efficiency experts agree that tenant comfort shouldn’t be subject to outdated management practices. According to energy consultant Dr. Mark Ellison of ComfortNow Solutions, “Locked thermostats are a throwback to an era when landlords controlled every aspect of utility costs without considering the well-being of tenants. A simple ice pack hack leverages basic thermodynamics—cooling the sensor forces the system to think the ambient temperature is lower than it is, thus triggering extra heat.”

Dr. Ellison explains that modern thermostats rely on temperature sensors that measure surface temperature, not the actual room’s average. When an ice pack is applied directly on the plastic lock box, the sensor registers a drop in temperature. “It’s a clever, low-tech solution that takes advantage of the thermostat’s programming,” he adds.

He also emphasizes that while the hack is inventive, tenants should be aware of any potential legal or safety issues with manipulating a building’s heating system. For instance, if the property management enforces a locked thermostat as part of a regulated energy usage plan, tampering with it might breach the lease agreement.

From an energy efficiency perspective, this trick demonstrates how simple interventions can optimize comfort. Experts note that many buildings—especially older apartments or institutional settings like classrooms—still use fixed thermostats that limit user control.

“Our research at ComfortNow Solutions has shown that even minor adjustments, like placing an ice pack on a sensor, can raise room temperature by several degrees,” says Dr. Ellison. “This hack can be a temporary fix until tenants or building managers are able to upgrade to smart thermostats that allow individual control.”

He further explains that the hack is particularly useful in shared spaces where the temperature is controlled centrally and may not always reflect the occupants’ comfort levels. For example, in schools or offices, a locked thermostat might leave entire classrooms shivering during winter months.

“In such cases, a portable ice pack isn’t just a workaround—it can be a tool for reclaiming personal comfort in an otherwise cold environment,” Dr. Ellison remarks. While he cautions that the hack is a stopgap measure, he applauds its ingenuity. “In a world where energy costs and comfort are constantly at odds, sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective.”

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Reddit users had a wide range of reactions to this tip. One user humorously questioned the very idea of a landlord having the authority to lock a thermostat, wondering if it wasn’t a throwback to an industrial revolution dystopia. Another shared a real-life account from an office setting where a portable heater had once blown directly on a thermostat, unintentionally triggering extra heat.

A clever IT guy even joked that if the hack worked on a thermostat, why not place an ice pack on top of the landlord himself to distract him enough to swipe the key! Meanwhile, others noted that in some regions—even in Spain—fixed heating systems are common, and this hack could be a universal fix. The consensus is clear: whether in a home, office, or classroom, creativity can win when you’re battling the cold.

In the end, this LPT reminds us that sometimes the simplest ideas can have the biggest impact. When your home is freezing because the thermostat is locked away behind a plastic lock box, an ice pack might just be the trick to fool the sensor and kick on the heat.

It’s an ingenious solution for those in desperate need of warmth, whether you’re in an apartment, office, or classroom. Have you ever had to improvise to beat the cold? What creative fixes have you discovered in similarly challenging situations? Share your thoughts and experiences below—let’s open up the discussion on how ingenuity can defy even the strictest thermostat controls.