Lodger and Heating

lookstraightahead

Honeylife said:

lookstraightahead said:

 Don't you have another thread relating to this or am I thinking if someone else?

Nope never written on this topic previously. Just never had a request from any lodgers in 20 years to put the heating in the night! It never gets that cold (indoors) in London. I used myself as a guide and I was not cold, but I was prepared. However,  I don't like to think someone is in my house with icicles on their nose shivering in their bed   

It was -5 in west London this morning apparently. Does your lodger have access to getting warm outside of the bedroom like going for a warm shower etc or putting a fire on in the living room? Just trying to think what I would do if I couldn't get warm.

Emily_Joy

There is a mile difference between (1) the lodger got home at 2:30am after walking for 45 minutes in subzeros temperatures and couldn't get warm because the air in the house was cold; (2) the lodger was up working at her desk and when the temperature inside dropped got cold and couldn't get warm without access to hot shower and hot tea

(3) the lodger was in bed and woke up because they were cold and couldn't get warm. It is not clear which one is the case. The electric blanket might help in (3) setting, but in (1) it would have been not that helpful.

Bigphil1474

It's quite funny reading people saying they don't have their heating on at night as it comes on automatically at 15c or whatever. That is having the heating on at night. Our main heating comes on for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening, and is off by 6pm. We can manually boost it when needed, but we've never needed it at night - second duvet, extra layers etc. I'm always warm in bed so rarely wear even a t-shirt, whereas my other half wears fleecy pj's and socks. I expect someone on their own might be cold if not properly prepared.

OP, I'd do some temp. readings in the loft room as they do tend to be colder and see if you can come up with a happy compromise. The oil filled radiators are pretty good if it's the room that needs a bit more heat, or leccy blanket if it's the bed. You could even get a little radiator with a timer on so it doesn't get left on all day. I have one in my little home office and it comes on for a couple of hours in the morning just to take the edge off - currently 18c.

BobT36

Was she awake, rather than asleep tucked up under a blanket? 
Much easier to feel the cold when awake wearing clothes (even multiple layers) than wrapped up under a thick duvet in the nuddy while asleep.. 

Could be awake for work, lifestyle or personal reasons, and legitimately cold. Not really for you to say that's not reasonable just based on your own lifestyle lol. This is the problem with lodgers, they're not your children so can't tell them to just get to bed etc, they're adults with their own life to live, and different needs. 

Would say try and reach a suitable comprimise, good electric (or not) blanket, etc. etc. I bought this for sitting at my desk as my legs would sometimes get a bit cold. Impossible to find a (non-dodgy) electric blanket at this size, but this does good enough, and just right for my lap / legs): https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-dashes-sherpa-fleece-baby-blanket-100-x-80cm-grey/p110137992

As you mentioned, those from overseas (especially tropical countries) don't realise just how cold it gets here and how long our winters can last (I'm sure it was snowing early May last year!) and "feel it" more. Of course some advice on wearing suitable layers would help too, if they are indeed prancing around in shorts or thin pyjamas or something. My GF recently bought these and loves them: https://www.marksandspencer.com/fleece-star-print-lounge-set/p/clp60624502

If they're wearing suitable clothes, have some accessories (blanket, electric or otherwise, thick socks etc.) and STILL cold because they're awake for some reason (lifestyle or otherwise), it's kinda your duty to try and keep them warm by having the heating on for them (turning it off in your room so don't overheat in bed). It's not like they can control the heating themselves, if you keep all the controls. I'm sure you wouldn't want them getting ill! 
That, or get a different lodger with a different lifestyle that better suits your own.

Ksw3

Weighted blankets are super warm. 

We dont have the heating on at night at all but that's only because the boiler is next to our bedroom and it wakes me up. 

prettyandfluffy

Picking up on some of the suggestions: could you install a smart thermostat & radiator valves? You can then set it per room/radiator to come on at certain times and/or when the room temperature drops below a certain level.  This would be a cost to you but it would be a home improvement which remains yours and is within your control, unlike a heater or electric blanket.

dannim12345

I never have the heating on at night, even if you set the stay to 14/15 I don’t think it would turn on often at all.  I would be surprised if the room got very cold within 3 hours but single glazing or other reasons could cause that.  Loving my electric blanket at the moment though, getting into a warm bed is just so cozy.  

Grumpy_chap

I think all the sensible suggestions have been put forward.
I would certainly offer some kind of temperature logging device.  Possibly a min-max thermometer, but what about something that gives additional data as suggested in this thread?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6492463/suggestions-needed-about-outdoor-temp-monitoring-bit-boring/p1
Once you have full information on the situation, you can make an informed decision about extra heating, or extra blankets etc.

(Removed by Forum Team)

Honeylife

Thanks everyone for the suggestions particularly those on thermometers and thermostats.

Her lifestyle is one of sleeping practically all day and staying up late studying! Doesnt seem to go to Uni very often, but that's none of my business.

Have suggested and agreed to her getting an electric blanket (at her own expense) and again repeated that she should dress appropriately for winter including a hot water bottle, (she saw me filling mine in the kitchen last night). Also repeated that I had told her about the heating times when she viewed the place, and again when she moved in. She confessed she had forgotten.  

We seem to have reached an understanding and resolution.

Incidentally, her bed does have a new Panda memory foam topper and on top of that, a thermal fleece under-blanket mattress protector.

Honeylife

Emily_Joy said:

There is a mile difference between (1) the lodger got home at 2:30am after walking for 45 minutes in subzeros temperatures and couldn't get warm because the air in the house was cold; (2) the lodger was up working at her desk and when the temperature inside dropped got cold and couldn't get warm without access to hot shower and hot tea

(3) the lodger was in bed and woke up because they were cold and couldn't get warm. It is not clear which one is the case. The electric blanket might help in (3) setting, but in (1) it would have been not that helpful.

Been there and so have my kids. 

1. Make a warm drink immediately on arrival indoors. Have a bath/shower.  There is always enough warm water for at least one bath. Prepare a hot water bottle, and put it under the duvet to prewarm the bed.  Dress in flannel pyjamas including bed socks and get into the warm bed.

2.  Yup was a student myself living in a bedsit with no central heating, and experienced this when had to get an assignment completed overnight!  Put on loads of cardigans and two pairs of flannel pyjamas. Put a fleece blanket around the chair. A hot water bottle stuffed down my chest. Plus my Dad's Stanley flask filled with hot tea to sip through the night.  

3. Woke up cold, go into the kitchen and remake a hot water bottle or even two hot water bottles. Add another layer of clothing e.g. a hoodie or the heavy-duty jumper. Double up on socks. Get back in bed with one hot water bottle at my feet and one on my chest.