This is reality, my nose is frozen

~Chameleon~

I think it is slightly colder today. Computer currently says 9C and it's only just getting dark. I've not noticed it getting any chillier indoors yet though but then I'm currently laid on the bed with a furry throw covering my legs and wearing a fluffy cardigan. I'll see how cold it is when I pop down to make a cuppa soon


ETA: Have just, at 8pm, switched on the heating for a couple of hours as we're forecast a ground frost tonight. Easier to warm the place a little before temps drop too much. Will be on for an hour in the morning too.

[Deleted User]

Thick blannky over my knees,extremely thick dressing gown that I treated myself to last winter from The White Shop,cost a bit, but has paid for itself.Fleecy PJs or nighties,thick bedsocks, and if all else fails wear a wooly hat I swear by them. I also have a thick scarf that I wind around my neck.My heating goes on for an hour in the morning when I get up so the bathroom is warm for my shower.Then as and when needed.In the evening I put it on for an hour and my tiny house soon warms up.I had extra wall insulation fitted a few years ago plus double insulation in the loft and with thick curtains which get pulled as soon as it starts to get dark my house soon warms up.Layering up helps and hot drinks I like hot lemon barley water when its cold the hotter the better.Or even some Stones ginger wine ,that soon warms the cockles up :).I grew up during the 1940s-50s and can remember the dreadful winter of 1948 when you just couldn't get warm and coal was almost unobtainable .Hot water bottles and warm blankets wrapped around you even in bed could hardly keep you warm.Yet we all survived and I make a point of dressing properly My youngest DGD is always complining of being cold in her Mums CH house but then she walks around in a tee shirt with short sleeves what does she expect .There is no such thing as bad weather only bad dreesed people I dress for the weather and give not a whit what I look like, after all I am not going to be cold just to look smart, no one looks good with a blue nose :):) or pneumonia

VfM4meplse

Gigervamp wrote: »

The problem with onesies for us women though, is that you have to take it almost off in order to go to the loo, getting cold in the process.

Coupled with the keep drinking tea strategy, a poor idea.

FairyPrincessk wrote: »

2. I have one of those light weight fuzzy dressing gowns I wear over clothes. It dries quickly so its easy to wash

Great idea in theory, but I avoid synthetics as I'm not keen on static

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

We invested in a multi-fuel stove this year and it was the best decision that we have made, we have a free source of wood, and buy coal at the farm shop which is really cheap

I have often wondered about these and open fires, do they not generate a lot of soot? I don't want to create more housework!

Patchwork_Quilt

When I was studying and wouldn't heat the whole house just for me, I used to wear a scarf and a furry gilet with the fur side inside.

Someone else on Mse suggested using a slow cooker to make tea as it would also take the edge off the chill in the kitchen.

Long socks are also a good investment or tights under jeans.

Uniscots97

Primarni do really good fleece lined leggings for £4. These really keep the chill out. Topher we're in the same boat as you income wise so trying to be careful with the heating. I find having a hot breakfast helps as well (porridge at the moment) and keep doors shut. Check if you're losing heat through your front door. Ours is metal and glass and would zap the heat from the hall. A curtain up did the trick.

Topher

Measures taken:
Double glazing (badly fitted so added foam insulating strip to help the seals)
Curtains lined also have heavier winter curtains.
Roof space now very well insulated (one layer on a grant, DH insulated loft hatch)
All rooms 'cept Kitchen & Bathroom, carpeted, (fitted now).
Combi boiler with basic timer
Gas fire replaced with opened up chimney & real fire. (Large percentage of heat goes up chimney)
Donated Coal bunker set up in back garden and gleaned wood piled and seasoned.
Family kitted out with thermals, knitwear, hand knitted socks etc.
Beds have electric blankets, high tog quilts, & various throws made
available.
H.M. Draught excluders on downstairs doors.
Shopped around for frozen gas rates, and switched provider (thanks Martin)
Not exactly a measure but....
Front & back halls small and have doors so act a bit like an air lock. (Or the double cages in the lion enclosures at a safari park, useful for keeping dachshunds safe)

Measures not taken:
Cavity wall insulation, upstairs does not have cavity walls (economies of pre war council build).

To do:
Blinds in kitchen,
Better blinds in downstairs bathroom,
Portiere rod & curtain on lounge door that leads into front hall.
chop 1930s oak chairs up for kindling. (sad face)

miss-scrimpy

Me and my OH live in a very old cottage in the countryside. We have no heating at all and both growing up in central heated houses has come to a shock (we are in our early twenties).

However for some reason I have really got used to it now. I went out today with my mummy to a shopping mall to just get out of the house and I was sweating and so hot.

I will say though that since having no heating we feel healthier and have had no winter colds/flu's etc. At xmas we stayed at parents houses for 2 night and we both felt awful. We could not sleep due to it being so warm to us and we had sore throats, headaches and our skin felt dry etc?

Tips I have discovered...

Leave oven door after cooking, it uses the heat that's would just cool down in there and would be wasteful,

Do NOT wear loads of clothes/layers to bed, strangely you tend to get warmer if under the covers with a bit less on especially without socks,

We do have a wood burner but can not afford to buy wood/coal but had a massive clear out of paperwork. That way destroyed confidential info and kept a bit warmer for a few hours,

Always have a warm meal once a day and lots of hot drinks,

Wearing a hat inside might look silly but most heat is lost from your head,

A hot bottle is amazing!! Have not had one since I was a child either.

Hope this help :-) xx

[Deleted User]

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Great idea in theory, but I avoid synthetics as I'm not keen on static

Neither am I hence buying the thick cotton towelling dressing gown from The White Shop.It really is very thick and a bit like wearing a blanket.Great when you've just got out of the shower .Very like those very thick towelling dressing gowns you get in rather 'posh' hotels.It did cost me around £50-60 but well worth the investment in the wintertime.I have a lighter fluffy one for the summer :):)

iris

gayleygoo wrote: »

For some crazy reason most of the floors in my rented house are tiled -why?? This is Ireland, not sunny France, there is no need to have a floor as cold as an ice-rink all year round. They're pretty, but if I owned the house I'd be ripping them out! I don't know where I'd be without rugs

I would imagine it's so that the owners don't have to replace carpets when they get a new tenant. Why not cover the tiles with large carpets (not just rugs), these can then be lifted and taken with you when you move:D

dragonette

Hi, I sympathise! My current flat has electric heaters which cost a fortune to run....so I don't. I think of it as not having heating. Inside temperature is fairly stable at 11-12 degrees most of the time and I wear thermals all through winter anyway so I don't really feel it often. I work outside and home is still warmer than outside! I have an oil-free heater I use when on the computer but otherwise I'm rarely sitting still for long.

I do find I don't get much benefit from sleep if I'm too cold, but the electric blanket helps hugely, the 6 month old kitten is useful too lol

A portiere and door curtain makes a huge difference, my close is like a wind tunnel and much colder than outside. Personally I'd avoid chopping up the chairs if at all poss....but if needs must!