How to live without heating - save £000s

Apodemus

I think what we are really talking about here is simply habit.  Hertslad has developed a habit which involves wearing lots of clothes and tolerating a cold house.  Others have developed a habit of maintaining a warmer environment and wearing fewer clothes.  It is easier to retain a habit than to change one. We all go through a period of habit adjustments in autumn and spring as temperatures and day-lengths change and Hertslad is no different in that regard, its simply that his path and end-point is different. 

Some folks say it takes 21 days of repeated action to develop a habit, then 90 days of adherence to it for the habit to become ingrained.  Starting now, that would take us to the end of March, so it's probably too late for this winter!  

Max68

HertsLad said:

Max68 said:

Like anything I think it's all what you are used to.  From what I can gather Herts Lad has been doing this for years so he is probably used to it...

I don't feel I have got used to it at all! I.e. not in the sense of being able to tolerate the cold if wearing too little. I feel the cold as much as anyone.

Rather, what I am used to is knowing what to wear to make it possible. And everyone reading this thread also knows now because I explained exactly what I am wearing.

It's disappointing that nobody here has tried to replicate my approach even as an experiment. All the gear is readily available and nothing needs to cost very much. 

Some of the comments suggest people are more prepared to spend a fortune on heating than 'feel odd' wearing so many layers, even though it feels little different to me, to when I wear shorts and a t-shirt in summer. Your choice!

It's hard to explain. I feel cocooned in a bubble of warmth. It's only when I undress to go to bed, and get up in the morning that I realise how cold it really is. But as it's only for a few minutes, it's perfectly OK.

Heartslad I'm certainly not knocking you, so please don't take it that way.  When I say you are used to it, I meant that you are used to it more than others because you are doing it and as you say wearing the right things for you.  You can cope and deal with it is probably a better phrase.   For me, despite generally working outside I cannot do what you do at home.  However I am writing this with a heavy warm jumper on with a warm hoodie fleece over the top,. thermal long johns with tracksuit bottoms over the top, thermal socks and a hot water bottle at my feet.  I am going to buy another Sainsbury hoodie dressing gown later, if any are left, because they are brilliant in the evening coupled with a throw.  I did put the heating on this morning as it was 13c and was aiming for 17c but I have now turned the stat to 16 whereas a few weeks ago I was only comfortable at 18c or above.  I have used 21 imperial units of gas in December compared to 14 in November.  That's heating, hot water and a hob.  I therefore calculate it could hit 35 odd units for he month, although with it finally warming up later for a week or so I hope it won't be that high.  However in previous years when I didn't really think about it I had used 66,54 and 75 respectively.  Last year it's not easy to work out as I was mid transfer of companies but it was a mild winter.  So I have pretty much halved my usage and it's been a particularly cold week or two.  Obviously it's still going to cost but being a type 2 diabetic I've got to keep my circulation going and I just couldn't manage in the temperatures you do.

HertsLad

Here is another thermometer reading, in my bedroom as at 10am this morning. The flu and mould warning indicators were flashing but are not visible in the image. Flu seems impossible. Mould is probably a fair warning. I used to use a dehumidifier on mains electricity but can't run it from my solar panels.

[Deleted User]

HertsLad said:

It's disappointing that nobody here has tried to replicate my approach even as an experiment. All the gear is readily available and nothing needs to cost very much. 

It's "disappointing" to you that people don't wish to make a major lifestyle change (which is potentially dangerous if done incorrectly) based on the account of a single poster on the internet?

Come on.  You get bashed on here for no good reason by people who seem to wish to change how you live, don't now start doing the same.

InvertedVee

HertsLad said:

Here is another thermometer reading, in my bedroom as at 10am this morning. The flu and mould warning indicators were flashing but are not visible in the image. Flu seems impossible. Mould is probably a fair warning. I used to use a dehumidifier on mains electricity but can't run it from my solar panels.

Holy moly!

Sea_Shell

I'm struggling to understand how your mattress, bedding, towels, curtains, sofa, carpet and cushions etc aren't turning mouldy.

Surely ventilation alone won't stop mould.   Does it not smell, or are you "nose blind" to it?


Do you have a mortgage?  Buildings insurance?

MattMattMattUK

Sea_Shell said:

I'm struggling to understand how your mattress, bedding, towels, curtains, sofa, carpet and cushions etc aren't turning mouldy.

Surely ventilation alone won't stop mould.   Does it not smell, or are you "nose blind" to it?


Do you have a mortgage?  Buildings insurance?

Mould will not grow well below 15c, it will barely grow at all below 10c and at 1c it generslly dies and the spores go dormant. Also, eliminate the damp and there will be no mould, one person, good ventilation and <10c consistently, rather than fluctuating temperatures and one is likely safe from mould, if not from respiratory distress.

HertsLad

There's no sign of mould as far as I know. SparkyGrad said my approach is dangerous. How?

Someone asked to see my energy bills. The latest electricity bill just arrived. Gas should follow soon. It shows I have used zero electricity for the past month. Take it from me, none since April 2022.

EssexHebridean

The flu warning on your thermometer- while probably rather over-specific - seems reasonable if, as I assume, it’s really more of a general health warning. You are unlikely to be doing your body much good, realistically. (Although possibly not as much harm as you are doing your house!).

Mstty

NannaH said:

1.2° in the house ? 😱 That’s insane. 
My kitchen is unheated and hasn’t dropped below 10°, even overnight at -9° outside.  
My conservatory hasn’t even dropped that low.   

Ah but I guess you cook and use appliances that create heat. If you turned off all hearings your house would go this low over time especially with the cold spell we have had lately.

But yes it is a little insane to see that figure in a house.