What temperature is your thermostat?

Sepa74

Well, it's that time of year when the heating is on, and I am trying to decide what temperature to set my thermostat. Do I set it low to save money but run the risk of finding myself shivering through the last episode of Holby City?

Or do I make it warm and watch that gas metre tick over faster?

I am opting for 18c / 64f at the moment, but I feel cold, even though 18 was fine last year. I'm tempted to move it up a notch or two, but am interested to know where everyone else's is set.

tanith

Someone else posted this exact same thread yesterday, can't find it to link to though.. its there somewhere..

skylight

Commented on 22, but thats the maximum - Its normally around 20.5-21.5. This house is so well insulated you dont need it on at night and wake to 18.5ish on cold nights.

sweetdaisy

I have my heating on a timer. It comes on from 6-8am and 5-8:30pm and I try keep it on 19 degrees.

Badger_Lady

Mine's on 10. I don't need to be warm at home, I just need to not freeze

Gothicfairy

Haven't got one so no idea how cold or warm it is in here..but it feels ok with just a t shirt and fleece top at the moment though it was colder last night and I got a blanket out.

originalmiscellany

Mine is on 25 but it seems to be broken, and even in the depth of winter it reliably informs me the temp in the thermometer is a balmy 18 degrees... So it's artificially high and I'm aware it is, but the actual temp is more like 20 I would say.

Avocado

Thermostats usually take their temperature readings from just that one spot where they are. In my house that is the lounge on the wall next to the hallway door. Since the temperature you set them to is only recorded in one spot then even within the same room the temperature can be utterly different to the thermostat. By sitting on my sofa, directly below my thermostat you can get a thermometer reading 2 degrees lower. Over on the opposite wall, sat at the dining table, it could be an even bigger difference. In a different room what your single thermostat says could be wildly out. I wouldn't set too much store by the number on the dial, it is incredibly inaccurate. If you're cold and you can afford it then turn the heat up to where you need to and don't listen to those people who would make you feel a sissy for it just to make themselves feel 'ard.

dannymccann

Our stat is in the living room, same place as the radiator which isnt able to be turned off with TRV's, but doesnt get set on a temperature. Way I work it is when we are cold, click the heating on for an hour, and then turn the dial until the boiler kicks in, usually around 16-17, then the rads all heat up to full power and by the time that happens it clicks off again, boiler goes off and we have the residual heat from the radiators for the rest of the hour, rinse and repeat.

But then, that's why my combined gas and electric DD is £50 a month, for a 3 bed 3 storey house

Eating_Daisies

I generally leave mine at 18 but turn it up when needed, the house generally sits at about 18 without it on tbh unless it snows. We have the heating set on timers to come in the morning & evening but I will switch it on for a bit if needed. Trouble is trying to remember to set it back to 18 when I go to bed, if I've turned it up, otherwise I wake up sweating in the morning!! Our house is detached too but it just shows what good insulation does for you!

Sepa74

Yes, my insulation is lacking, which probably doesn't help. The cat flap is chattering away letting in the draughts as we speak, and I have an open chimney in the living room (it's a gas fire and the gap is extremely narrow, so I can't put in a chimney balloon).

I live in a block of flats with no cavity wall insulation, and not much prospect of getting any, however I've heard it contributes to damp, and I loathe getting mould on my window seals, so I don't know if I would get it anyway!