Heating on for Lodgers

Annealise

I have previously  had two lodgers that always work regular hours - 9 -5.  My  central heating system is set on a timer for twice a day - a.m and p.m until Spring now. The a.m  is set to come on daily at 6.30am for 2hrs  and at 10.00am at weekends. P.m is from 5.00- 11.00pm. My energy bill is just about doable.

I now have a new lodger that  apparently works all different daytime shifts every day on a weekly rota. She gets up as early as 5.00am some days but can leave for work as late as mid day  on other days. I  stated in my ad  that  I dont take shift workers and she had asked me if finishing work one day a week at 8.00pm was OK. I agreed that was fine and now I find myself in this dilemma.

I  live on a budget  and cannot afford to have the heating on  11hrs a day to cover all her varied morning shifts, as I have to accommodate the other lodger's hours too. Plus I will have to set the  timer differently for every day  of every week which is  quite fiddly to do. Also what is reasonable re putting heating on her 2 days off  which are not weekends, as I only put it on  in daytime at weekends for the other lodger.

I don't want the lodger to be cold but I can't afford an even bigger energy bill than I've already got. I can't ask her to leave as its a difficult time of year to replace her.

I would appreciate suggestions  how to approach / resolve this situation.
Please be kind, I only have lodgers  to help pay my bills after my ex husband  fleeced me out of  all our retirement funds and not in a position to move house yet.

Emmia

Could you replace your current thermostat with a smart one like a nest, so the heating schedule is easier to amend day to day?

What you presumably don't want is her buying a fan heater, as that will gobble electricity

itsthelittlethings

I used to work irregular shifts and had my heating set for a nine to five person with some boosting on cold days. As long as the house is generally staying warm I think that’s the most important thing. Could you have an open conversation with her to say you weren’t expecting to heat the house for a shift worker, that you will boost it when it’s cold occasionally (if you will) and she needs to stay warm with jumpers etc.

If you’re retired, presumably you’re at home when the heating is off sometimes, so you’re not asking her to do something you wouldn’t.