Cutting fuel costs....I'm freezing!!

themaccas

Just trying to save some money on heating costs. I am at home quite a bit during the week and there is only myself here. The house is bloomin freezing but I can't justify putting heating on for just me so I sit and put on layers of clothing on, looking like a bag lady. This year seems so much colder than the last couple of years and we have only started December. How is everyone else coping. I have even thought about going to the supermarket this morning so I could share their heat but that's hardly MSE is it!:rolleyes:

Badger_Lady

Aaaahh... I know what you mean, my heating doesn't have individual thermostats so I have to heat the whole house just for little me sitting in the living room!

What I've started doing is just having the heating very low (15 degrees) and on a timer for morning and evening, just to take the chill off. I then have a gas fire in the living room (as well as a quilt), and a freestanding electric fire in the bedroom that I can switch on half an hour before getting into bed.

What sort of heating do you have? Are you able to just switch it on in certain rooms? Would it actually work out cheaper to use an electric fire for short periods (even though they use more energy short-term)?

rayday2

Libraries are warm and free!

I take a different stance to you been bloody freezing in this house for three years, paid £2000 to stop the boiler blowing the house up this year and at the same time had extra radiators put in and sod it that amount spent I will be warm!

elantan

i'm in the same boat i have to admit ...coming just back from thailand i have had it on high for over a week now and had layers of clothes on yet still feel freezing ...i know i need a new heating system but dont have the money for it ...have you tried tin foil behind your radiators? big heavy curtains behind your doors sausage dogs at the bottom adding more lagging to pipes and (can i remember what it's called) extra padding in the loft ...i have tried all these things and it's still freezing...good luck in getting warm

steven77

Invest a few quid in a hot water bottle for night time....

painted_lady

Cup of hot cocoa and watching TV while laid on sofa in a sleeping bag. I have a big fat cat who can sit on me, he helps me keep warm. If your more energetic than me, why not go for a walk or run - gets your blood going and you do appreciate been inside when you get back in.

hypno06

My laptop is generating warmth.........a good reason not to leave MSE today

themaccas

We have a good gasfire in the living room but the computer is not in there:mad: . I have just finished my 4th cup of coffee and now have the tartan picnic blanket over me. Will be out soon to do the school run - in a warm car....bliss! I'll put the heating on before I go so the house will be warm for DS2 when he gets home, can't have mummys little treasure getting cold:rotfl:

belfastgirl23

Be careful of gas fires. We ran up a huge bill with using ours...

But I often use a hot water bottle in the house when it's just me. Boots have really good ones - okay they're £12 but I paid using points - they have a furry cover and the heat stays in them for AGES (often still warm in the morning when I wake up!).

Also though if you're a SAHM it's worth making a point of doing your heavier work in the morning if possible, keeping moving also will keep you warm. Or even going out for a 10 min walk can make the house feel warmer when you get back.

If you're in one room most of the time it's also probably worth investing in a little heater for that room.

But don't feel guilty putting the heat on just for you unless you really can't afford it...know when to give in as well!

toria27

I am sat here thinking the same thing today, it seems a lot colder than last year, i look like a bag lady and my hands and feet are still freezing, I have just put heating on low as am about to wake DD from her nap so want it warm for her. I always dress my DD (aged 2) in 3 layers, vest, long sleeve top and jumper also slippers and if she starts to feel cold I know the heating needs to go up. Trouble is she runs around that much she always feels lovely and warm but I am still cold.
I have started having a hot water bottle at night though and it makes me too hot!! it's great.

OliveOyl_2

my parents use a halogen heater (there was a special offer for two when they bought theirs.) But that's because he's cold and she's opening windows complaining of the heat, now he sits in front of a fire in one room and she has a very bracing temperature in her room. I think they're quite cheap to run.

And socks/slippers are very important. I have to go to bed wearing them, and when I changed the sheets yesterday I found quite a few pairs wedged between the mattress and the footboard