Save me from my fermentation issues

[MiddleEarthBrewing]

So...I have been brewing for over a year now and for really the first time I am having a stretch of fermentation issues. During the summer the dark nook under my stairs is a perfect 68 degrees and we don't have any issues. Then this winter disaster struck! First, the room was to cold and fermentation stopped and the yeast crashed then a second brew was put into the boiler room where, every time I checked it came in at 68-70, turned my beer into a cider flavored mess. Now again, the temp has, as far as I can tell, stayed 68ish +3-5 degrees and the beer still has strong cider off notes.
How does anyone else regulate their fermentation temp?
Whats the best temps for others?

 

[SpeedYellow]

Craigslist mini-chest freezer, $50, plus a cheap thermostat. The best money you'll spend on brewing.

 

[Chromebrew]

A low tech solution is a swamp cooler. Search for it in the forums here, plenty of posts on how to get one set up.