Is your heating ON or OFF?

mardatha

No chance of turning it off here - snow still lying thick and the thermometer outside was reading MINUS 11 this morning. Its a horrible long cold winter and I like winter but even I'm getting sick of it. Hardly seen bare earth since before xmas, its been snow & snow & snow.

missychrissy

I switched off on Mar 1st. I came home from work this morning and the temp in my kitchen was 11.6 and the sun is shining so it can only get better.

I have to say that I am very healthy and as I live on my own it is entirely my decision if I choose to live in a cold house in order to spend less on increasing the utility companies profits and therefore generate more income to spend elsewhere. My house is only 3 years old so is well insulated and I find that by wearing thermals and layering my clothing I can manage quite well. It is a challenge to see how low I can get my bills. However, I switch on when I have visitors or my grandson staying but I often find it too warm when family are staying with me. I have obviously adjusted to a lower temp.

mama67

We have a sunny day here again so I put an extra load of laundry in when I got up, so both are now out on the line drying.

We haven't lit the coal fire now since Saturday, as the temp from the radiators having been on for the half hour on timer is sufficient.

anguk

Still got the heating on here, it's still pretty cold and the windscreen still needs de-icing in the morning. I have it timed to come on for an hour in the morning to warm the house before we get up then for another hour before DD comes home from school and I switch it on manually whenever we need it. My OH spent just over 3 weeks in hospital and it was ridiculously hot in the wards so he feels the cold more now he's back home.

emmwri

I have a bit of a dilemma with the heating. I have 2 young sons - a one and a half year old and a 3 and a half year old. We are home all day and live in a very draughty, north-facing house so I find it hard not to have the heating on for them. When it's cold I turn it on manually, I have it turned down to 16 or 18 in the day, 20 on the below freezing days so it's not on terribly high. I have tried having the heating off and wrapping them up but their hands and noses are still freezing. I suppose this is how it was before people had central heating, but do you think it's fair to do it when I have the heating (though I can't afford it and owe the gas company)? Just wondered what people thought!

A_fiend_for_life

emmwri,

If you have arrears to pay you should be able to negotiate down to £3.50 per week to pay back the arrears. You would need to phone your supplier, inform them of your circumstances, and fill out an income and expenditure form.

If you have drafts or lack insulation you might be able to get some installed for free depending on your circumstances eg receiving certain benefits. The energy saving trust is a good place to start their number is 0800 512 012. They will provide a free energy survey to start with.

You don't mention whether you are renting or a home owner.

Are you able to heat the living room a bit more than the other rooms? A curtain over the door and thicker curtains help a lot too if you have any.

anguk

emmwri wrote: »

I have a bit of a dilemma with the heating. I have 2 young sons - a one and a half year old and a 3 and a half year old. We are home all day and live in a very draughty, north-facing house so I find it hard not to have the heating on for them. When it's cold I turn it on manually, I have it turned down to 16 or 18 in the day, 20 on the below freezing days so it's not on terribly high. I have tried having the heating off and wrapping them up but their hands and noses are still freezing. I suppose this is how it was before people had central heating, but do you think it's fair to do it when I have the heating (though I can't afford it and owe the gas company)? Just wondered what people thought!

Do you have those thermostat things on all the radiators (I forget what they're called), if so you could maybe turn the radiators up in the rooms your sons spend time in and turn them down in other rooms.

Personally I would rather cut back on something else and keep warm, especially if there's young, elderly or sick in the house but that's just my opinion, everyone has to do what's best for them and their personal circumstances.

I don't know your circumstances but it's worth checking to see if you qualify for any help. The Home Heat website is a good place to look for help & information.
http://www.homeheathelpline.org.uk/

guccigoo

hi all im new here, i try to have the heating off as much as possible esp when the kids are at school. I usally have it on for an hour in the morning and 3 hrs at night if i can but my house is cold as its an end of terrace and i cant have wall insulation but do have loft. it 15 degrees in the front room at the moment, i have a fleece and jumper on but seem to suffer with cold hands even when the heatings on. i need to get thicker curtains for the front room, the ones i have are lined but not thick. i have trv's but no thermostat so have a thermometer in front room to keep an eye on temp and i never switch on the rads. just cant wait till summer:j

guccigoo

meant never switch on all the rads:rotfl:

Caterina

Today I got up lateish so did not take advantage of the morning heating (but DH did). Now back to work with rads off and hands freezing! Just as well DD just brought me a pot of tea!

Last night was very cold and we had the woodstove on while in the lounge, but when I went to the bathroom to clean my teeth I had to say hi to the penguins lined up on the windowsill!

Once in bed with hot water bottle, though, all was well again.

Just hoping, yearning, that springs hurries up and comes in!