cheap to run fire

geordie_joe

andrione1 wrote: »

it doesn't sound rude, my question is confusing.

Thanks, glad to see you are getting some useful answers.

I would say insulate as much as possible then maybe get a small oil filled radiator (or two). They may be enough to keep the rooms at an acceptable temperature over night.

If you get them from argos you can try them for a few nights, and if they aren't suitable you can take them back and get a refund.

greenbee

If you get oil-filled radiators (which aren't particularly cheap to run, but given your heating situation, will probably save you money, and mean you aren't overheating!), get ones with a timer as well as a thermostat, so that you can set them to suit your needs.

Ben84

I use an electric blanket over night. It uses much less electric than a room heater, but because it's directly heating you it goes a long way. Rather than turn the heating up overnight I turn it down now, and I'm more comfortable than before.

I didn't originally buy it to save energy, but it has turned out to be a good way to save energy.

Ytaya

This might be a silly question, but have you had the thermostat checked? It sounds almost like that could be your problem. It might be faulty, or in the wrong place (I once lived in a house where it was above a radiator, which was a PITA).

ailuro2

The thermostat should come on and heat the radiators up when the temperature it reads is less than the temperature it is set at.

If the heating only comes on at 26 degrees, then either your house is too warm to get under that, or your thermostat is knackered.

A few years ago we bought a programmable thermostat that lets us control the house temp overnight - in winter when it is windy it is too cold to leave the heat off for 10 hours, but we don't want to leave it on full heat, iyswim, so we have it set to night-time temps from about an hour before we go to bed, then at daytime temps for half an hour before we get up.Because it is digital we have gradually reduced the temp we heat the house to - 0.2 degree at a time!:D It can also be programmed to come on half an hour before we get home from work, so it's not cold when we get home. Pampered pooches we are, I know!!

andrione1

yeah, the thermostat is cream-crackered :rotfl:

and it's at a warm place, near the boiler, whereas downstairs it is cold.

but like i said, even if it's freezing, it will NOT come on at decent level, it's shocking :eek:

i spoke to my mum who said i'm being ridiculous to put up with the high gas bills with a broken boiler situation. she said get back in touch with the landlord and stand my ground.

i do hate having to stand my ground, i prefer an easy life,
however - it's only coming on now at 28.

i will let you know if i get a new boiler, ( or new thermostat? ) i hope to have it done before winter creeps up.

thanks so much, am going to put some lined curtains in the kitchen asap, (have got in other rooms already)

cheers, really helpful advice. appreciate it. :beer:

andrione1

P.S. what's happened to emoticons? is it just my computer?

geordie_joe

andrione1 wrote: »

P.S. what's happened to emoticons? is it just my computer?

yep :T

EDIT: Nope, they didn't appear for me either. You can put them in your post, but they disappear when you submit it!

Ytaya

If your landlord refuses and you want to stay there, consider replacing the thermostat yourself. I don't think they're that expensive, it's a fairly easy job and it should pay for itself over the winter!

I know that's not an optimal solution, your landlord should fix it. But your ultimate goal here is cheaper gas bills.

A_fiend_for_life

Is the boiler lagged? Fitting an insulation jacket to the boiler should drop the temperature a bit near the thermostat and allow you to lower the temperature.

I think you can get these for about £10.

I would photocopy the receipt and bill the landlord he / she may well be able to claim it back against tax. If the landlord doesn't pay you can always take it with you when you move.