This is reality, my nose is frozen

alixandrea

Topher wrote: »

Our income is going to dry up, so up to and after Christmas we've been trying to live on little, with every prospect of living on less than that. Now I'm practising living with no heating during the day so we don't spend more on heating than if I was out at work. That still means the central heating timer is on from 6:00a.m. until 8:00a.m. and again from 04:00p.m. 'til 9:00p.m.

This seems to be about enough for a family (of three adults at the moment) who have different start times to their days. So I now find myself in three changes of clothes per day. 1) Housework clothes, old slippers that can be worn for stepping out of the house (to bins, garden access etc.) light socks, T-shirt, light jumper/cardigan & jeans. 2) Sitting in the cold clothes, thermal shirt, T-shirt, fleecy jumper, hand knitted wool socks, hand crocheted hat, buff/ neck cowl, and sheepskin slippers. 3) outdoor clothing, usually added on to 1) as appropriate for dog walking, shopping etc.

I have a thermometer with me this afternoon, and now the heating's been on for half an hour, the temperature has risen from 15 C to 17 C. I keep telling myself this was daily life for my grandmother, and I grew up in un-centrally heated houses, so I'm sure I can get used to it.

I'm writing on here to try & stay positive about it, and share the experience, rather than dwelling on it, and feeling opressed by the financial situation that has lead to this. At least we're sort of prepared, have a real fire for when it gets really cold, and fleeces to hang in the windows again when really cold.

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You've got your heating on for seven hours a day, but you're feeling cold? Something's not right there. I have a poorly insulated 1 bed flat in a Victorian house (new double glazing, but still not good at holding heat). It has high ceilings, huge rooms and a damp problem. However when I run the heating, it's generally only on for a max of 4 1/2 hours per day. It goes on for an hour in the morning, then off for 2 1/2 hours; on for 3/4 an hour, then off for 2 1/2 hours; on for 3/4 an hour, and so on throughout the day, with a final 1/2 hour blast before we go to bed.

It gets a little cool before the next heating cycle, but we're definitely nowhere near freezing, and we're not wearing anywhere near as much as you are to keep warm!

I wonder which of our heating plans is cheaper? I would have thought mine would be as it's on for far less time, but maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps you could give something like mine a go and see if it works for you?

Sorry if someone's already said this BTW; I haven't read through the entire thread.

Alixandrea

lutzi1

An old metal oven tray sat on a cooling rack with a couple of tea lights underneath makes a quick temporary little radiator which does take the chill off. I do this in my kitchen on cold days as I've no heating in there most of the time. Obviously the usual caveats about putting it somewhere safe away from kids etc apply.

Our Tescos had packs of 6 Valentines tea lights for 5p the other day. I also use the stumps of used candles to make heating candles in old beans tins.

ivanbrownbear

The best way of feeling warm in the house is to go out for a walk. It will be lovely and warm when you get back. Put everything you can on when you go out - scarf, gloves, hat and warmest shoes or boots. Walk as though you are late - as quick as you can. When you get home you will be warm as toast. When you cool down, put some music on and have a dance! Other ideas: Walk to warm shops and just browse. Go to the library. Visit friends or people in hospital/nursing homes. Do some gardening. Keep oven door open after cooking to let heat out. Eat porridge!

crumblepie

Cordie wrote: »

A few weeks ago I bought a 'teddy fleece' from Lidls (£6.99) to wear around the house and I have been very surprised at how warm it is. When I get cold I do the zip right up and have a cup of tea it doesn't take long for me to start moving the zip down. I'd look a fright but I only wish they sold trousers to match.

I have no idea what a teddy fleece is but I bought fleece pj bottoms for £6 from Tesco to wear around the house.

lostinrates

crumblepie wrote: »

I have no idea what a teddy fleece is but I bought fleece pj bottoms for £6 from Tesco to wear around the house.

I wear fleece pj bottoms around the house, for walking the dogs:o and for work on my farm yard :o. They layer over thermals amazingly, wash brilliantly and are so warm. In fact, I even have them in different sizes so I can wear a bigger size over top on really cold days :o:o

SueC_2

It sounds horrific, but try not having the heating on when you get up in the mornings.

Out of bed - down the hallway - into the shower - out of the shower - into fluffy dressing gown - steam filled bathroom - back to bedroom - into clothes - quick breakfast - out the door.

I've done it for the last couple of years now, and seriously don't get in the slightest bit cold - I'm either in bed, in the shower, or clothed and on the move - all of which are perfectly warm places to be.

If you're going to be home all day, you may find it better to save those two hours of heating till later in the day when you are less active.

I've also gradually notched my heating down. I used to regularly heat to 20 degrees, but now I am absolutely comfortable sitting around at 15 degrees. It's amazing what your body gets used to.

green_as_grass

I've read through this thread and I feel for you guys!

We're in the fortunate position of being able to afford our fuel bills, and to insulate our house to a good standard. However we do try to minimise using gas and electricity because we have a conscience about climate change (thinking of our children and future generations).

So we do take many of the measures people have described here, in particular what I call 'personal insulation'. The kind of thermals that ski-ers wear are very effective. I've also bought my wife some silk thermal underwear (vests and long-johns!) which she's very happy with. Expensive though, but cheaper than burning more gas in the long run.

We've also installed a wood-burner, again a significant outlay, but I scavenge all the wood for it (neighbours trimming trees, local joiners off-cuts etc.)

The government's Green Deal is meant to help people struggling with energy bills but again, there is the expense of an initial survey which is unaffordable for many. I think this explains the very low take-up of the Green Deal and I've written to my MP about this.

Can I correct the opinion that many seem to have that keeping your Central Heating going right through the day (and night!) saves money - It doesn't.
Buildings leak heat. Keeping a house warm is like pouring water into a bucket with holes in it. The more water you pour in the more leaks out. And the higher you fill the bucket (the hotter you heat your home) the faster it leaks out.
So having periods of the day with your heating off, and turning your thermostat down, will save you fuel.
It's hard for people to demonstrate this in practice because each day (temperature, wind, sunshine) is different, similarly each winter is different, so people can end up with the opposite impression. But it's just simple laws of physics.

I'm not saying you should take it to extremes though - people die from the cold in our winters so take care. It's interesting to note that people in Scandanavian countries have fewer deaths related to the cold than us, even though their winters are colder. It's because their homes are better insulated.

One tip to save money on draught-proofing if you have minimal DIY skills:
Use silicone sealant around your windows and doors - it's much cheaper than the stick-on strips you can buy and more effective.
Make sure you vaseline around the door and window frames thoroughly first otherwise your windows will be stuck shut!
Close your window/ door onto the sealant and give time for it to dry before opening again.

Hope that helps.

Cordie

crumblepie wrote: »

I have no idea what a teddy fleece is but I bought fleece pj bottoms for £6 from Tesco to wear around the house.

I didn't know I had bought a 'teddy fleece' until I got it home and read the packaging. It is shaped like an ordinary fleece but it is made of fluffier (if that is a word) material and is very soft. I am wearing it whilst writing this, I have no heating on at the moment but I am not cold. I have to admit though that I only wear it indoors even though it is sold as an outdoor garment.

p00

Matalan have some thick fluffy snuggle nighties half price which have a hood and are great with thermal leggings or pj bottoms.

I walk my dogs early in the morning and when I get home the house actually feels quite warm without the heating on. If I get cold I wear my snuggle tops (thats what they are called at Matalan) and some thermal leggings.

Ive even managed to cut down the central heating time to go off at 8.30pm as once its warmish indoors we'd rather wear an extra layer than keep the heating on till late then when you go to bed the bedroom is over warm.

xxp00

CACHAF

This is the first winter in three years that we have consistenly been able to afford gas and have the heating on but we keep it to 11 degrees during the day and 15 degrees on an evening.

Before we had the financial struggles of the last few years I always felt the cold very badly but now I feel too warm when we go to the inlaws on a Sunday as they have the heating set at 20. Its funny how you adapt.

Bedtime was always when I struggled most but we put an old duvet under our base sheet and it has made a massive difference to how warm the bed feels when we get into it and how warm we stay overnight. I also keep a fleece on the bed to wrap around my shoulders over the duvet if I get very cold.

If it drops much below 10 degrees though i struggle. Its amazing how much being cold slows you down and de motivates you.

We have tried various tea light heaters and been pleasantly surprised by how much heat they generate. Definitely worth a look at youtube for videos on what to do.

Hope you all keep as warm as you need to x