How cold can I keep the house safely?

kizzie_nikita

marmiterulesok wrote: »

10-14c does seem rather cold!Is that without heating?

10c without heating and after 2 hours in one room with the heating on goes upto 13-14C.

valk_scot wrote: »

10-14'C seems cold to me too for round the clock temperatures. Our house is very well insulated (cost us a fortune, saved us at least as much in heating bills since) and doesn't have a damp problem at all so while I don't heat it at all during the day normally the CH is set to go on just after dusk till about 11pm, plus half an hour in the morning. All the radiators have individual thermostats so while the bedrooms don't get heat the main living areas tend to be around 16'C or 17'C most of the time in the evening and even during the day I'm doubtful they'll be down at 10'C.

Unfortunately, 10-14c is just something we have to deal with while being dirt poor. Have been talking about it on the on of off heating thread and will be getting a electric blanket to use

All i was pointing out after someone asked about the health risks being aimed at the elderly that alot of people who are not elderly can/will get ill in temps under 18C

Although i've just taken my temp and it's 35.5C so should probably get some more clothes on.

marmiterulesok

kizzie_nikita wrote: »

10c without heating and after 2 hours in one room with the heating on goes upto 13-14C.



Unfortunately, 10-14c is just something we have to deal with while being dirt poor. Have been talking about it on the on of off heating thread and will be getting a electric blanket to use

All i was pointing out after someone asked about the health risks being aimed at the elderly that alot of people who are not elderly can/will get ill in temps under 18C

Although i've just taken my temp and it's 35.5C so should probably get some more clothes on.

14c with the heating on,that's really tough.

Do you have damp problems in your house?Have you checked the humidity levels?If you have high humidity then a dehumidifier can help.

I suppose it's a case of putting on lots of different layers to keep warm.Silk is very good to wear when it's cold,so try a silk blouse under your woolies.(The warmest leather gloves are the ones with a silk lining and not the wool lined ones.).Keep doors shut to keep the heat in and try to sort out any draughts.

Have you got bedsocks?I have a knee length woollen pair for winter,plus a cotton vest under my nightwear,flannelette sheets and fitted sheets and extra blankets.

A few lit candles,even if it's just tea lights can give out an impressive amount of heat.

Btw,the normal temperature range in humans is 35c-37c so 35.5c is fine.

Hope you get the electric blanket soon!

lostinrates

I don't see how ideal temps for everyone can be so high when risk of cot death I googled for a similar post was 16 to 20 degrees c.


My gp supported us turning our heating off some time ago, and though other things have suffered dh's psoriasis is amazingly better.

I AM looking forward to having heating this year, but we are talking about aiming for 16- 18 degrees with extra spot heating down stairs.

Patchwork_Quilt

We seemed to have our heating on all the time when the children were small. DH thinks it is more economical to have it on constantly at a reasonable temperature than periodically having to heat up from cold. He says his childhood home was cold at 16C. I feel ok at 18C if I am moving around but if I am sitting and studying, I put on lots more layers or turn the heating up to 20C. I would keep the home warm, if I had young children, and economise on something else. Unfortunately, young children lose heat fast as they have a large surface area for not as much insides as an adult.

thriftyniftyme

I think it really does depend on the person and the circumstances. It is 18C here right now and I have shed layers down to my T-shirt and I am still uncomfortably warm.

But then our heating is only on today because OH is poorly. We are youngish and healthyish and that counts for a lot. But I also think we have become accustomed to cooler because we don't rely on our heating. I can think of only a handful of times we had it on the whole of last winter (admittedly I think it was a pretty mild winter here, and we do have one of those 400W heaters that we use sparingly). So if you are used to cooler temperatures you'll deal with them a lot better than if you are used to warmer temperatures and suddenly have to do without, if that makes sense?

I posted this information on my blog a few days ago, I don't know if the circumstances apply? In any case they may help someone else reading this thread:

If you are in the UK and your household includes anybody who is vulnerable to the cold (including young children, the elderly, and those who have illnesses or reduced mobility), you should call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699. They can give you free practical help such as discounted social tariffs, free home insulation, and protection against disconnection. You can also call this helpline on behalf of others – elderly neighbours, say, or relatives – who might not otherwise seek help for themselves.

Enigma80

marmiterulesok wrote: »

I came across this piece of information on one of the posts here a while ago and copied it down:

below 9c risk of hypothermia

12c too cold,risk of heart attack or stroke increased

15c discomfort,risk of respiratory illness

18c comfortable home temperature

21c ideal home temperature

I'm not quite sure these are factual? People live and work at temperatures of around 9C so I can't imagine this would be the case, unless it's referring to body temperatures?

My car manual states that the ideal 'comfortable' temperature to set it at is 24C, this would've been too hot for me in previous years. However, over the past two years I have been feeling the cold increasingly so. I'm not sure why. I prefer sleeping in a cool room though; there's nothing worse than not being able to sleep in a hot sweaty bed.

marmiterulesok

Enigma80 wrote: »

I'm not quite sure these are factual? People live and work at temperatures of around 9C so I can't imagine this would be the case, unless it's referring to body temperatures?

My car manual states that the ideal 'comfortable' temperature to set it at is 24C, this would've been too hot for me in previous years. However, over the past two years I have been feeling the cold increasingly so. I'm not sure why. I prefer sleeping in a cool room though; there's nothing worse than not being able to sleep in a hot sweaty bed.

They are for room temperature.

The body's temp. norms are 35-37c and will not tolerate extremes in either direction.

annie123

This is the original source I think marmiterulesok
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12606943

My mum who was 67 at the time let her home drop to around 10c after deciding to turn the rads down to freezing mode to save money.

She didn't notice she was cold as she had hyperthermia and then a stroke. The ambulance and police said she was well wrapped up with hat/coat/gloves etc.
She uses a wheelchair now as she can hardly walk, can't speak properly/read and has carers 3 times a day to make food and do housework.

The hospital staff said inside temps re health depend a lot on the person. A young man could do push ups etc to keep warm and be fine for a while at as little as 5/6c, someone overweight will have extra insulation to keep warm but risks a stroke, children have good working systems as they are busy and active by nature and will cope well with cooler temps.
On average they told me 15c was minimum if you were able to do daily tasks etc, if you have mobility problems or other health issues or over 60 ish then 20c plus.

Fruball

Every time I see this thread it makes me sad

I am really worried about the cost of heating my home this year. The main difference I will be making is to go to bed much earlier than I usually do so I don't have to keep the heating up higher, later. I will still leave it on 24/7 on very low, as I always do as I find it more effective than having it on for an hour twice a day.

It is a bl00dy tragedy that anyone has to work out how cold they can safely keep their home

Africa will soon be sending clothes and blankets once the elderly begin dying of cold this winter

thriftyniftyme

It is a travesty. People should not have to decide whether to keep warm or to eat. If people have to do that in a wealthy country then something has gone badly wrong. I'm not going into politics here but hearing stories like Annies' mum's make me want to weep.

ANNIE (and her mum) ((((HUGS)))) My mum has had a stroke too, I know how awful it can be. I hope you are both doing okay xx

PLEASE anyone who is reading this and is worried about heating costs call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 and see if they can help you. Also please call if you know anyone else who might need help but might not ask for it - calls on behalf of 3rd parties are allowed.