Is your heating ON or OFF?

housebug

We're in a converted building of five flats with us in the only two bed flat on the top floor. Insulated, double glazed, energy efficient boiler and gas fire (or so the landlord tells us. He's a good fellow tho, we've been renting from him for yonks and know him to be honest), but we certainly aren't counting on hot air rising from the flats below us to add to our warmth. The rest of the tenants are single men who are out more than their in so I expect they rarely have the heating on. :rolleyes:

We've done everything reasonable and possible to cut our energy usage and still live like 21st century beings. Tho I think fondly of the big wood burning furnace and stove in my parents and grandparents houses back home in Canada. Holy cats, those things really put out the heat. If anything you have to be careful not to use too much wood or your roasting!

However, we're determined to keep the gas bill down so if it means keeping the c/h thermostat on 15 and just using the gas fire in the front for a couple of hours in the evening to keep the chill off, so be it. We have extra duvets and fleece pullovers, wooly socks. We both work hard and I'll be damned if I'm going to spend my free time wrapped in so many layers I can't move or going blue with cold.

nooney

Interesting thread because we are holding out for as long as possible and its good to hear we arent the only ones. We havent used the central heating yet but we have had a coal fire twice this month, held out last night by using lots of candles and I put a hot water bottle under a fleece on each settee.
Its a bit colder today so maybe we will have a fire tonight.
We have no children at home though and I can see that with youngsters you need some heat.

Natbag

I work from home too but have resisted putting the heating on yet, which for me is quite amazing! In fact we haven't put it on once since moving in in May (other than to test it, but luckily the boiler is brand new and quite efficient). I find it's cold on a morning, but am quite comfortable as long as I have a jumper and socks on! By the afternoon the sun has warmed most of downstairs anyway.
So far we're in credit with the gas company, and with a baby due next month and me on maternity pay I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible, and keep our bills down after that, especially given the recent price hikes.

boredjellybean

I finally gave up this morning - my aim is to give the house a good blast today & get some residual heat back into the house, then I am hoping to only pop the heating on for a bit in the evening & a blast in the morning

I am gutted as I really hoped I could last longer without it

Bjb

Lily-Lu

No heating been on here at all yet. I've had big gas bills the last couple of winters, and just can't afford to use the same amount again, especially sinse the price increases.
I'm hoping to hold out as long as poss this time. And even when I do need to use it, I'll be frugal and keep a close eye on cost and consumption.
Daytime's have been fine, but it does get cold late evening, which is when I sit down with a blanket, or single duvet over me

housebug

I can work from the bedroom in the afternoons. The sun shines in there this time of day and though its not as strong as it was in the Summer, it still makes the room a lot warmer than the front when we aren't using any other heating source.

betterlife

yes im afraid i have started using my central heating already. alot earlier than i wanted but we are in a bigger semi this year and i have a 10 wk old baby aswell as a 2yr old, a 4yr old and a 7 yr old. we have fleecy dressing gwns and blankets but have need to put the heating on low i mornings and evenings. just have to try to makesavings ele where instead.x

4Moneysaver

I'm going to try to hold out for as long as possible. My flat is sandwiched between other flats which I reckon keeps me pretty insulated. I have two snuggle blankets for popping over my knees in the evening and a duck down duvet which does the trick at night. Plus I wear fleecy pyjamas and bed socks. And best of all I have a big fat fluffy cat who acts as a giant hot water bottle on my lap all evening.

moanymoany

It goes on 5.30am to 6.30am because dh gets up early and it's cold then.

Only once have I put it on any other time. It has a boost button which gives an hour of heat.

Emmacw

I'm still holding out for 1st November but don't know whether I will be successful or not.

The back of my house is south facing with floor to ceiling double glazed doors so as long as the sun is shining I get free heating via the windows, positively cosy as long as I remember to keep the living room door shut to keep out the cool from the hallway.

But then I am very far south so have an advantage over many people. Expensive housing but cheaper heating!:rolleyes:

Think husband will crack first as he now gets up a bit earlier than me at 5.30am (yes, its cold at that time but if you keep moving you don't notice it!):rotfl:

Emma