In nearly every school district, reforms in science and mathematics education are underway.  Two common threads in these reforms are increased emphasis on problem solving and real-world applications.  Yet, many teachers ask where these real-world applications will come from?  This paper (Home Heating Mathematics) provides an application in one particular area, that of home heating.  We discuss the mathematics behind a thermostat and provide equations that allow computation of temperature changes within a home.  Sample problems are given, as well as suggestions for further study.

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