Is your heating ON or OFF?

Rosa_Damascena

Its cold but sunny here, and the sun is noticeably lower. Its just gone midday and its already heading west! Temperature in the kitchen where I am working is 14degC.

I've not yet used my electric blanket, my sleeping bag has been brilliant at keeping me toasty in the evenings.

Wicked_Lady

Well, we've finally lit our stove, so the living room is nice and cosy and any excess heat can drift upstairs. 
We didn't use it at all last winter.

RobM99

12:30 and no sun on my patio doors  (

Primrose

RobM99 said:

12:30 and no sun on my patio doors  :

Shame,  Sun lifts the spirits  even if it doesn't lift the temperature much at this time of year.

Gers

Primrose said:

How  large are the electrically heated wraps?  Are they big enough towrap right round your body like a blanket?    Not sure how long the cables are for plugging into a socket so if your armchair is located miles away from a power socket I assume they,re a little impractical?

I bought one in February this year from Amazon for £53.00, now it's between £119.00 and £139.00!  I've ordered another one from Argos for £80.00, I want it for upstairs.

They are big - 20 x 160 x 2 centimetres and very cosy. Long cable but, as before, it can be used with an extension too. I wouldn't be without mine and have given two as presents to friends.

Spies

Colder night last night which means even though I've dropped my overnight temp to 15 and all day temp to 16c and removed the 18c for 2hours in the morning I've used more than yesterday so far! 

YorksLass

Our living room, where we spend most of our time (retired couple, one reasonably healthy over 70, one mobility impaired over 80) is west facing so gets very little sun at this time of year.  By the time it gets round to there, it's very low in the sky and soon disappears.  Not helped by a neighbouring house that has a long row of tall conifers that also block out the low lying sun!     We use extra layers of clothing, throws etc and close the curtains at dusk, tucking them up on the window ledge so the heat stays in the room and doesn't disappear behind them.

Our energy consumption has been low so far this year but will definitely go up over the next 3 months or so for heating so we can be comfortable.  I don't mind not having a car, large screen TV, smart phone, takeaway meals, holidays etc or even cutting back on food but I didn't grow old to be cold so the heating will be on as and when we need it.

Primrose

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Our energy consumption has been low so far this year but will definitely go up over the next 3 months or so for heating so we can be comfortable.  I don't mind not having a car, large screen TV, smart phone, takeaway meals, holidays etc or even cutting back on food but I didn't grow old to be cold so the heating will be on as and when we need it.

Agree. Being elderly or incapacitated brings enough  trials already.without being constantly cold.  It,s  trying to score a balance between not using excessive energy and sitting shivering., especially if an excessively cold period means putting the national grid under such pressure that they have to implement power cuts. 

RobM99

As a camper, I'm well prepared for power cuts. Rechargeable batteries for lanterns, for a start!

Novice_investor101

I’ll have no issues with power cuts in my house. Torches & candles are already accessible because I use the torches for taking the dog out to the garden & on his walks. I’ve been using tea lights & a big scented candle most evenings for the ambience, too. I’ve plenty of gas cans for my camping stoves, but I have a gas kitchen hob & a gas fireplace, so could use those. Reminds me, I need to test the fireplace in case it is needed at any point. I rarely use it, not very efficient but useful if needed. 

 

The heating is on during the day but set to come on if it drops below 15c. It has kicked in throughout the day but not for too long. The puppy going out to the garden every couple of hours really isn’t helping to keep the house warm. 

Im getting a quote to replace the draughty, rotten back door & frame tomorrow. It desperately needs replacement now so hopefully that can be done sooner than later. 

As my gas smart meter doesn’t work & British Gas don’t actually bill until the end of Feb 2023, I created my own spreadsheet for tracking my usage throughout winter. I just need to put in my most recent gas meter reading & the formulas will work out the cost. The BG app will tell me the electric smart meter costs so at least I can track what I’m spending against my credit balance & have some semblance of control of my spending/comfort.