How to live without heating - save £000s

Sea_Shell

elsien said:

HertsLad said:

GingerTim said:

HertsLad said:

GingerTim said:

On a less flippant note, have you ever considered using the money saved on heating costs to properly insulate your home so you don't have to do this? Or at least not to the same extreme extent?

I don't think the insulation can be too bad as it is because, as I said, the interior temperature has never gone below 2C, as far as I know. It's always warmer indoors. Outdoors always feels colder. So any small gaps could be good for ventilation. What good would further insulation do? I am not creating any heat indoors, so there is nothing to retain. I keep blinds closed, so there's not even much of a warming 'greenhouse' effect from sunlight.

Just imagine, with proper insulation the indoor ambient temperature might stay above 10 degrees!

Your comment suggests you don't understand what insulation does and how it works. Put it this way - I'm fortunate to live in a very well insulated flat. I haven't had to put the heating on for any considerable time in the last two weeks, and it hasn't dropped below 20 degrees indoors since December. I'm not saying it would instantly raise your indoor temperature to that, but it would be a damn sight warmer than 2 degrees indoors (which is basically like living outdoors, anyway).

I don't claim to be an expert on property insulation but there's a world of difference between my detached house and your flat, given flats and apartments are often surrounded by other properties. Maybe some of their heat leeches through to your property.

Before I came to my senses, I was heating one room. I added extra insulation to that room and it probably helped keep the heat in.  I couldn't possibly do that to the entire house. I'm fairly sure there are no further generally accepted approaches to insulation left to do, such as cavity wall insulation or loft insulation. Anyway, it hasn't gone below 4C so far this year and that was in December. I am perfectly warm when its 4C so it would make little difference to me if I could somehow engineer a new minimum of, say, 10C.  My guess is that it would be almost impossible to achieve.

I consider myself very lucky it never seems to go below 2C. I read some predictions on the internet that an unheated house will gradually go down to the ambient temperature outside. But it hasn't. They are wrong, at least for my house.

I reckon the limit of me being able to succeed with my approach is probably 0C. I have camped in colder temperatures quite happily but that's different to living at home all day. So where homes anywhere in the UK go below freezing, perhaps in Scotland or the North of England, I guess it's a non starter (but only during cold spells), together with families with children and people with certain medical conditions, and anyone who lacks the guts to try it.

And then you have to go and spoil it again.
In my world it’s not about having the guts, it’s quite simply about having more sense. 

I don’t have the interest in testing the limits that you seem to have. I don’t need to live at those extremes. I most certainly wouldn’t enjoy it. So why would I even go there? 

Took the words out of my mouth!!


It's almost like saying "why are you all not just living on cold porridge and baked beans, I am and I'm saving ££££"

We probably could...but why would we if we didn't HAVE too.

I do agree that we'll probably all need to review our energy use to lesser or greater degrees as these price increases bite, but by saying we don't have the "guts" to go to those extremes is wrong IMO.

If needs must, we'd have no choice, but I doubt you'll have many takers for doing it out of choice...when you have real choice.

QrizB

colmel16 said:

HertsLad : 8k views and 134 replies by only giving an opinion and lifestyle choice.
Yesterday.: Charlesworth447  466 views and nine replies on a life or death cry for help.

One difference is that HertsLad is here, in the thread, engaging with the other members. Charlesworth447 (who has been given some good advice) hasn't been back since posting (and now has 15 replies).

HertsLad

elsien said:

I reckon the limit of me being able to succeed with my approach is probably 0C. I have camped in colder temperatures quite happily but that's different to living at home all day. So where homes anywhere in the UK go below freezing, perhaps in Scotland or the North of England, I guess it's a non starter (but only during cold spells), together with families with children and people with certain medical conditions, and anyone who lacks the guts to try it.

And then you have to go and spoil it again.
In my world it’s not about having the guts, it’s quite simply about having more sense. 

I don’t have the interest in testing the limits that you seem to have. I don’t need to live at those extremes. I most certainly wouldn’t enjoy it. So why would I even go there? 

Sorry, I should have said: "anyone who is not inclined to try it". If you did, with similar gear to what I wear, some people, at least would probably never go back and might even admit their scepticism was wrong.

Why even go there? Perhaps like climbing Mt Everest, because it's there. I would never try that though because it's far too dangerous, unlike what I am doing.

Elisheba

I'm enjoying this thread. For me, heating is about priorities. For some it is a priority and for some it isn't. For those whom it is a priority, for whatever reason, I agree that it should be affordable. Noone should ever have to choose between heating and food.

However, saying that, for those who are willing and able, not only turning down the thermostat but actually turning off the heating is an extremely eco friendly and thrifty option. I have been trying it for the last couple of weeks, and the OPs advice regarding keeping my legs warm, and what types of layers work best, I have found very useful. 

I had a quick Google and long John's and Jane's are available for about a fiver. Down trousers are normally £40 upwards, but some pairs from China can be found for £15. Very limited female options though and none in my size. Thinsulate hats are a few quid.

So it is potentially affordable, and if I decide to go heatingless next winter I think I would invest in some of these things. I've been managing with a couple of pairs of legging, fleecy socks, lots of layers on top, and a hat - but I do still feel cold at times, especially my hands at times. Hot water bottles, sleeping bags and throws are also my friends! It would be nice not to have quite so many layers on though 

markin

wild666 said:

markin said:

wild666 said:

PennineAcute said:

maisie_cat said:

PennineAcute said:

Around March last year, my 12 year old fridge freezer gave up the ghost.  I could not afford a new one, so bought a second hand fridge to keep me going.  Elec consumption fell around 1 kWh a day.  Over the summer, I then bought a new fridge freezer and noticed very little difference in energy consumption.  If a fridge freezer is not an essential for an individual, but has around the same runnning costs as a fridge, I'll take the luxury anytime.

I've just tested the consumption of our chest freezer in the garage and it uses approx 0.25 KWH per day, the fridge freezer in the kitchen uses twice that. So neither make up a large proportion of our 10KWh per day

The last holiday I had, back in 2017, according to my IHD, I used an averaged of 2.2 kWh a day.  Before leaving, I turned everything off besides the fridge freezer and house alarm.  So around 92 W an hour.

Now, with new fridge freezer, my first 7.5 hours usage of each day uses 0.818 kWh, so an hourly average of 109 W.  This includes by two fish tank filters (75 W for both), so an hourly average of 35 W for both fridge freezer and house alarm.

My very unscientific calculations mean than my new FF is using 57 W an hour less than my old one, so 1.37 kWh fewer a day.

Considering my daily usage is around 5 kWh a day - it takes 28% of my daily usage.

5 kWh per day my normal daily usage is around 3 kWh per day but has being known to drop to as low as 1.7 kWh some days and as high as 11 kWh when the grandkids are down playing the XBox on the large screen TV, or monitor as I call it, as  I don't have a TV licence.

I don't think the xbox should be using more than 200w, so even if it was 300w x12hrs 3.6kw, The TV must be old and power hungry, not a plasma is it?

The TV is a 2019 Philips 65" G rated so I understand that it uses more than my old LG 43" 2011 model.

The first Philips 65" 4K smart tv was still only 110W, So is it extra oven use?

markin

PennineAcute said:

If individuals are struggling and only heating one room, then I doubt they would have a spare £100 to kit themselves out.

Yes, kitting themselves out in thermals and whatver may work for them, but when single person's UC is around £80, to find £100 is going to be hard.  Pension credit is around £160, so over half of one week's Pension Credit has to be found.  If this works for the person, then okay.  If it does not, then they can now not afford to heat the only room that they can currently afford to heat.  This does not bear thinking about.

We are in times where people are going to suffer.  For a lot of people, money now needs to be spent wisely.  Is it wise spending money on something that may work?

You should be able to get a jumper and trousers for 30, if it works turn down the heat to pay for another set, just build up slowly, and then spend the saving on more insulation!

HertsLad

Elisheba said:

Very limited female options though and none in my size. Thinsulate hats are a few quid. So it is potentially affordable, and if I decide to go heatingless next winter I think I would invest in some of these things. 

It's great to hear you have tried some of my ideas, with initial signs of success. Thank  you for your feedback. As for male vs female sizes, I sometimes buy female polyester base layers if they are cheaper than the male sizes, primarily Campri brand at Sports Direct, e.g. 2 pairs for £12 female or £14 male. There is not much difference in the shape and it's all hidden. That said, if I need to buy XXL down trousers to fit my 30" waist, I don't think the sizes go large enough for anyone with a 36" waist or larger. Good luck with your trials.

GingerTim

Elisheba said:

I'm enjoying this thread. For me, heating is about priorities. For some it is a priority and for some it isn't. For those whom it is a priority, for whatever reason, I agree that it should be affordable. Noone should ever have to choose between heating and food.

However, saying that, for those who are willing and able, not only turning down the thermostat but actually turning off the heating is an extremely eco friendly and thrifty option. I have been trying it for the last couple of weeks, and the OPs advice regarding keeping my legs warm, and what types of layers work best, I have found very useful. 

I had a quick Google and long John's and Jane's are available for about a fiver. Down trousers are normally £40 upwards, but some pairs from China can be found for £15. Very limited female options though and none in my size. Thinsulate hats are a few quid.

So it is potentially affordable, and if I decide to go heatingless next winter I think I would invest in some of these things. I've been managing with a couple of pairs of legging, fleecy socks, lots of layers on top, and a hat - but I do still feel cold at times, especially my hands at times. Hot water bottles, sleeping bags and throws are also my friends! It would be nice not to have quite so many layers on though 

Before you go heatingless, check your home insurance policy documents: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/11/winter-2019-will-your-home-insurance-protect-you/

1. Set your thermostat

It’s really important to set your thermostat to the minimum temperature specified in your home insurance policy during cold weather. Damage caused by failing to do so could result in your claim being rejected.  The minimum temperature is usually around 12°C but may vary depending on your provider, so it’s best to check if you’re unsure.

Swipe

GingerTim said:

Elisheba said:

I'm enjoying this thread. For me, heating is about priorities. For some it is a priority and for some it isn't. For those whom it is a priority, for whatever reason, I agree that it should be affordable. Noone should ever have to choose between heating and food.

However, saying that, for those who are willing and able, not only turning down the thermostat but actually turning off the heating is an extremely eco friendly and thrifty option. I have been trying it for the last couple of weeks, and the OPs advice regarding keeping my legs warm, and what types of layers work best, I have found very useful. 

I had a quick Google and long John's and Jane's are available for about a fiver. Down trousers are normally £40 upwards, but some pairs from China can be found for £15. Very limited female options though and none in my size. Thinsulate hats are a few quid.

So it is potentially affordable, and if I decide to go heatingless next winter I think I would invest in some of these things. I've been managing with a couple of pairs of legging, fleecy socks, lots of layers on top, and a hat - but I do still feel cold at times, especially my hands at times. Hot water bottles, sleeping bags and throws are also my friends! It would be nice not to have quite so many layers on though 

Before you go heatingless, check your home insurance policy documents: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/11/winter-2019-will-your-home-insurance-protect-you/

1. Set your thermostat

It’s really important to set your thermostat to the minimum temperature specified in your home insurance policy during cold weather. Damage caused by failing to do so could result in your claim being rejected.  The minimum temperature is usually around 12°C but may vary depending on your provider, so it’s best to check if you’re unsure.

12C is completely OTT. It would have to be sub zero temps for continuous days on end with no heating on at all for internal pipes to freeze. If water is flowing through the pipes periodically, this will also protect you. An empty property is way more at risk than an occupied one.

GingerTim

Swipe said:

GingerTim said:

Elisheba said:

I'm enjoying this thread. For me, heating is about priorities. For some it is a priority and for some it isn't. For those whom it is a priority, for whatever reason, I agree that it should be affordable. Noone should ever have to choose between heating and food.

However, saying that, for those who are willing and able, not only turning down the thermostat but actually turning off the heating is an extremely eco friendly and thrifty option. I have been trying it for the last couple of weeks, and the OPs advice regarding keeping my legs warm, and what types of layers work best, I have found very useful. 

I had a quick Google and long John's and Jane's are available for about a fiver. Down trousers are normally £40 upwards, but some pairs from China can be found for £15. Very limited female options though and none in my size. Thinsulate hats are a few quid.

So it is potentially affordable, and if I decide to go heatingless next winter I think I would invest in some of these things. I've been managing with a couple of pairs of legging, fleecy socks, lots of layers on top, and a hat - but I do still feel cold at times, especially my hands at times. Hot water bottles, sleeping bags and throws are also my friends! It would be nice not to have quite so many layers on though 

Before you go heatingless, check your home insurance policy documents: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/11/winter-2019-will-your-home-insurance-protect-you/

1. Set your thermostat

It’s really important to set your thermostat to the minimum temperature specified in your home insurance policy during cold weather. Damage caused by failing to do so could result in your claim being rejected.  The minimum temperature is usually around 12°C but may vary depending on your provider, so it’s best to check if you’re unsure.

12C is completely OTT. It would have to be sub zero temps for continuous days on end with no heating on at all for internal pipes to freeze. If water is flowing through the pipes periodically, this will also protect you. An empty property is way more at risk than an occupied one.

It might be OTT but if that's what's in your policy, that's what's in your policy. (And persistently cold indoor temperatures doesn't just mean damage to pipes, of course.)