Is your heating ON or OFF?

[Deleted User]

Can i just ask for those who have not put there heating on yet, how do you dry your washing other than if you use a tumble drier? My flat has been cold some days and milder others so my storage heaters have been on intermitently. But even though its mild outside clothes like jeans, jumpers and towels are not drying. I have got a tumble drier but am loathe to use it and im just working out whether to put the storage heater on in the living room and run a dehumidifier over night (im on E7) rather than dry 3 loads of washing (2 of which will be on peak rate electric) by tumble drying them. I cant work out which is cheaper. Maybe i should do an experiment but i find with my sons (hes a mechanic so theres lots of dirty overalls etc) washing i never catch up and am doing a load every other day, then the sheets, towels etc which i dont have room for all of them on my clothes horse. What do others do in this situation?

newleaf

I'm using a portable dehumidifier at the moment because of a condensation problem causing black mould. I've noticed the washing is drying really quickly when the dehumidifier is on, and it also makes the house feel warmer.

Quasar

I can't believe how mild it still is. Windy and chilly outside but not that much, and here indoors it's quite fine without any heating on - just a jumper. I'm determined to save as much energy as I can, so that if some really harsh weather kicks in I shall not feel guilty for having the heating full on.

Mrs_Thrify

Swipe wrote: »

Can I ask how these high temps are achievable with no heating? My detached bungalow has cavity wall insulation, 270mm loft insulation and highest efficiency double glazing and my living only room hovers around 13-14C first thing in a morning with no heating, even in the current mild weather. The north facing bedrooms and hallway manage between 11-13C

Hi Swipe, I think there are lots of reasons why some houses like mine are staying warm with no heating on. The area you live in as the south is much warmer than the north of England. Type of house - mine is a semmi.
Cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and double glazed pvc windows with curtains that are well lined. When my children were toddlers I use to put blankets up at their windows to keep the light out with out a thought to the extra insulation. Now I know I still put fleese's up. Opening the windows during the day to air the house but clossing them in the afternoon before the cold of the evening sets in. Home cooking, I sometimes have the SC or oven on.Boiling the kettle, touch it afterwards if you can! Heat again. Having a bath gives off heat from the water.
This morning I had 1 convector heater on for about 1/2 hour wile I ate my breakfast. (convector fires are cheep to run). No heating on since. I did not even light the coal fire in late afternoon today.
I think having the heating on more is good for people who are at home all day and sitting around. Young children need the temp higher.
We are a family of 4 adults all out at diffrent times.
Just thought of the conservatory, when the sun shines that quickly heats up and an open door pushes the free heat into the house.
Last year we put our CH on in December for the first time that year.
Moving around and the clothes you ware make a huge diffrence. I love my slipper boots. If family said they were cold I would put more heating on, it is not a contest. It is health and wellbeing that matters.

Mrs_Thrify

coralred wrote: »

Can i just ask for those who have not put there heating on yet, how do you dry your washing other than if you use a tumble drier? My flat has been cold some days and milder others so my storage heaters have been on intermitently. But even though its mild outside clothes like jeans, jumpers and towels are not drying. I have got a tumble drier but am loathe to use it and im just working out whether to put the storage heater on in the living room and run a dehumidifier over night (im on E7) rather than dry 3 loads of washing (2 of which will be on peak rate electric) by tumble drying them. I cant work out which is cheaper. Maybe i should do an experiment but i find with my sons (hes a mechanic so theres lots of dirty overalls etc) washing i never catch up and am doing a load every other day, then the sheets, towels etc which i dont have room for all of them on my clothes horse. What do others do in this situation?

Hi Coral, I tend to wash most days to keep the washing down. On sunny days I put the larger items on the line and bring them in damp and air around the house. On bad days I put the tumble drier on and pick out things like towels and sheets. The rest is hung on coat hangers in the utility room or put on a airer in the hall resess (whare the stairs are).Julie

BallandChain

coralred wrote: »

Can i just ask for those who have not put there heating on yet, how do you dry your washing other than if you use a tumble drier? My flat has been cold some days and milder others so my storage heaters have been on intermitently. But even though its mild outside clothes like jeans, jumpers and towels are not drying. I have got a tumble drier but am loathe to use it and im just working out whether to put the storage heater on in the living room and run a dehumidifier over night (im on E7) rather than dry 3 loads of washing (2 of which will be on peak rate electric) by tumble drying them. I cant work out which is cheaper. Maybe i should do an experiment but i find with my sons (hes a mechanic so theres lots of dirty overalls etc) washing i never catch up and am doing a load every other day, then the sheets, towels etc which i dont have room for all of them on my clothes horse. What do others do in this situation?

Our flat is well insulated and I don't have a tumble drier. Washing is taking 2 days to dry on 2 clothes horses. However, with just 2 adults I can get away with it without heating so far. Can your son just wear one set of overalls for work and change at the end of the week? That would cut down the washing. I have to say bedding gets done on average once a month as I really don't have the room to wash weekly. I don't change towels daily unless they smell. lol it does sound bad but we haven't died of germs or anything.

[Deleted User]

Ive tried cutting down the washing, its not a problem with his overalls as such but he wears poloshirts and trousers as well underneath. Then as it diesel he works with, he showers, changes clothes and the towel gets soaked and smells of diesel. I have to wash his bedding every week as again it smells of oil and diesel as does his pillows. He also goes to the gym 3 to 4 days a week, again smelly gym clothes and towels. Im not complaining about the washing its drying it as the oil and diesel makes the tumbledrier smell thats why i prefer drying it all on a clothes horse infront of my storage heater with my dehumidifier on. Its just that theres no point in putting the storage heater on just to dry the washing but im having to because of the damp weather, but i cant think of anyother way. I also dont wash any of my clothes with his because of the grease. Ive also had damp problems when i moved here but i have eliminated them by opening windows on the small locked catch or dehumidifing the flat. Thats why i dont particularly like drying clothes indoors. So i may see how much eletric my tumbledrier uses on E7.

SarahNeedle1872

coralred wrote: »

Ive tried cutting down the washing, its not a problem with his overalls as such but he wears poloshirts and trousers as well underneath. Then as it diesel he works with, he showers, changes clothes and the towel gets soaked and smells of diesel. I have to wash his bedding every week as again it smells of oil and diesel as does his pillows. He also goes to the gym 3 to 4 days a week, again smelly gym clothes and towels. Im not complaining about the washing its drying it as the oil and diesel makes the tumbledrier smell thats why i prefer drying it all on a clothes horse infront of my storage heater with my dehumidifier on. Its just that theres no point in putting the storage heater on just to dry the washing but im having to because of the damp weather, but i cant think of anyother way. I also dont wash any of my clothes with his because of the grease. Ive also had damp problems when i moved here but i have eliminated them by opening windows on the small locked catch or dehumidifing the flat. Thats why i dont particularly like drying clothes indoors. So i may see how much eletric my tumbledrier uses on E7.

I run my tumble dryer over night.... no de humidifier, because OH is at home all day and leaves the back door open for the dog most of the day. I bought a timer, so I can switch the TD on, knowing it will start up at 4am or whenever but using the cheaper electricity. I try not to use it but with all this wet weather I've had to. If you are gonna use it, the £10 it costs for a timer will repay itself in no-time - day rate is SO expensive!

Sx

newleaf

:eek: Please don't tumble dry items which are still giving off diesel fumes, and also beware of using your tumble dryer at night, as they are well known for bursting into flames.
Safety first.

pupsicola

I have the heating on from when we get home at about 3.30 for 2 hours or so. The house has cavity wall insulation which really helps. I also put tin foil behind all radiators on outside walls. The shiny side facing the radiator reflects heat back into the house. We have a blanket box in the lounge. High tog duvets on the beds and insulated curtains. The kids sleep in thick pyjanmas and wear socks when it is really cold, as they often kick the duvets off in their sleep.