Is your heating ON or OFF?

Swipe

Life is too short to be huddled up in 20 layers to save a couple of quid. I've lit my woodburner this evening even though it is not that cold but I'm lovely and warm now so definitely worth it.

hob

i have'nt put my heating on yet and i was cold befrore , freazing. my windows are broken (u can poke ur finger outside when there closed!) i just taped over it and put my hot water bottle on im not planing to put the heating on till there is snow on the ground. there is just me tho, i do live in newcastle but im in a flat i think i get allys heating.so i might be cheating.


i live in a concil flat dose any1 know what i should do about my windows?

valk_scot

Hubby and I were just talking about the CH, and how cold it was in this house (on top of a windy Scottish hill with nothing between us and Siberia) up till three years back, when we got cavity wall insulation as part of the house overhaul. It cost three times the amount it would for the average semi to be insullated (we have this massive gable end, three stories high) but literally, we felt the difference within 24 hours. Worth every penny and it's paid for itself already.

I'm still only heating the living room and bathroom for an hour in the morning and three in the evening at the moment. Putting your CH on doesn't usually have to mean heating the whole house after all, just the rooms you use and sit in. I won't put the heating on in our bedroom all winter, normally...just get out the heavier duvets. This does not suit the cats at all, because they like to sleep with us. I'll know when the nightime temps drop below zero because the cats will start sleeping under the duvet rather than on top of it, lol!

crawley_girl

I'm still off, my hands are a little cold but will be fine when i get off the laptop and can pop them into my kangaroo pouch on my hoodie! I think I feel a little chilly cos I have been at a conference and they had the air con on!!!! Ridiculous! Everyone was freezing but it was stuck and they couldn't do anything about it... not a nice day!

Skint_Catt

Well heating been off so far as I've managed with blankets & hot water bottle - tried to turn heating on low so warm when OH came home for weekend - onyl to find it's not working!! Have contacted landlord who will try to get someone over tomorrow

missychrissy

Swipe wrote: »

Life is too short to be huddled up in 20 layers to save a couple of quid. I've lit my woodburner this evening even though it is not that cold but I'm lovely and warm now so definitely worth it.

I'd love a wood burner. I've got an inset gas fire but i pick up lots of wood when I'm out walking my dog and am hoping to exchange the gas fire for a wood burner as soon as I can afford it.

Olliebeak

hob wrote: »

i have'nt put my heating on yet and i was cold befrore , freazing. my windows are broken (u can poke ur finger outside when there closed!) i just taped over it and put my hot water bottle on im not planing to put the heating on till there is snow on the ground. there is just me tho, i do live in newcastle but im in a flat i think i get allys heating.so i might be cheating.


i live in a concil flat dose any1 know what i should do about my windows?

You need to contact your Housing Office Repairs Department and get them round to check that window frame out. (I work for a Housing Trust that used to be Council Housing Department)

Ultimately, the flat is THEIR property and they need to maintain it to a standard. It's not due for demolition or regeneration is it? If so, they may not replace the window frame, BUT they should STILL fix it.

May be worthwhile asking them about draught-proofing at the same time - lots of Local Authorities do it for you OR can pass you to a firm that does it on their behalf. As I said before, it's THEIR property and they need to protect their investment in the bricks and mortar of the building.

Good Luck

hob

thanks ollie i just moved in like 2 and a half months ago. i dont think they need to replace it ust fix it its sorta hanging on. i think there gonna but double glazing in soon but idk how soon. ill call them tomorow and see what they say.

not to be bloned but what is draught-proofing is that the foam in the walls ect coz they have just done that.

Olliebeak

Draughtproof is when they attach strips of 'squishy foam' to the wooden window frame, so that when the window is closed, any gaps are filled to stop the draughts coming through. They do it to frames of front doors as well if it's needed.

Maybe that would be a good idea for you, as you say you'll be getting double-glazing at some point.

You can actually do it yourself, the strips can be bought in shops like Wilkinsons - but I would ask the Council first to see if they'll sort it out before spending your 'hard-earned' .

geordie_joe

Olliebeak wrote: »

You need to contact your Housing Office Repairs Department and get them round to check that window frame out. (I work for a Housing Trust that used to be Council Housing Department)

Ultimately, the flat is THEIR property and they need to maintain it to a standard. It's not due for demolition or regeneration is it? If so, they may not replace the window frame, BUT they should STILL fix it.

May be worthwhile asking them about draught-proofing at the same time - lots of Local Authorities do it for you OR can pass you to a firm that does it on their behalf. As I said before, it's THEIR property and they need to protect their investment in the bricks and mortar of the building.

Good Luck

The problem is some, NOT ALL, don't see it that way. Some think they are saving money by "delaying" repairs. I live in a council/housing association house and although I have only had two repairs which were fixed on the day I reported them, I know from the residents association that they will not do certain repairs.

It takes years to get leaky windows fixed! They won't replace boilers unless they are dangerous or 100% not working, and they class a boiler that does not heat water but allows the water through as "partially working".

A few month ago they sent a letter to all residents, which basically said they were not going to pay to replace boilers as they didn't have the funds to do that. But asked us to complete a survey which asked if we would be willing to pay the total cost or part of the cost, and if just part of the cost "how much?"