Let's help each other through the winter months

We are both wearing extra layers, the winter duvet is on and we try to be as active as possible. Our heating is thermostatically controlled to 21 degrees C maximum during the day, we batch cooked to save energy using the air fryer, slow cooker and pressure cooker as much as possible rather than the main oven.

We have also bought a supply of rock salt for when the driveway get icy - it has quite a slope to it and can be challenging for both of us but we are concerned for the postman etc too.

The danger with being in a very cold room, even to sleep, is that you are breathing in very cold air, and that is likely to affect your core temperature and do damage to your internal organs, no matter how warm your exterior may be.

47 Farenheit is approximately 8C and this temperature is far too low for anyone to be sleeping in. Not only can it damage your main organs, it is also conducive to the growth of mould.

In recent weeks we have had the tragic case of a small boy killed by the infections caused by living in a damp house with a severe mould problem. Nothing encourages mould growth more than a cold house with someone living in it.

nanna8

It’s gone cool again here. One minute it is 30+ degrees, the next minute it is 15 or 16. The cat just fell into the swimming pool and I had to dry her out with a towel. She loved it, spoilt brat, much purring. I won’t be going in the pool until it is much,much warmer than now.

We were in our pool over the weekend and the water temperature today is still at 30C but you are right nanna8 30 one day 15 the next and it is very hard to acclimatize when it fluctuates this often.

I don't like warm bedrooms either but do love snuggling up to my hot water bottle when I'm in bed.
I did put my electric fire on in the living room this evening for a while as it's really
chilly here now....

welbeck

thanks for all your concern.
things are not as bad as i might have implied; i am not in the house much, and i have found ways to be warm enough in bed to sleep.
much of the day i am in another house which is warm, as i have a role there.
i shouldn't have mentioned about my room. sorry.

I like to be warm in bed but sleeping in a warm bedroom gives me a headache.
The window is always open a bit unless it's really windy or -C

thanks for all your concern.
things are not as bad as i might have implied; i am not in the house much, and i have found ways to be warm enough in bed to sleep.
much of the day i am in another house which is warm, as i have a role there.
i shouldn't have mentioned about my room. sorry.

It’s gone cool again here. One minute it is 30+ degrees, the next minute it is 15 or 16. The cat just fell into the swimming pool and I had to dry her out with a towel. She loved it, spoilt brat, much purring. I won’t be going in the pool until it is much,much warmer than now.

Our boiler packed up yesterday. Fortunately we got it sorted today but 24 hours without hot water or heating made us wonder how we coped years ago but we did.

A friend of mine is just heating her kitchen during the cold months, and spending all her time there.

Welbeck,

Have you consider getting an oil filled radiator to heat just one room. Thre is one available from Dunelm priced at £28 and costs 22p per hour to run.

Here is the link
www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/shopping/dunelm-praised-28-portable-heater-7879826

Octopus energy have electric blankets they are giving away to those in need, if that is any help to anyone. Also many towns have hubs where you can go during the day to keep warm and have free hots drinks etc. worth finding out what is available in your area.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I walk every day unless it's actually raining or snowing. I've bought a heat pad in the shape of a hot water bottle. It's brilliant as you just switch it on and away you go, no risks of leaking and it will turn itself off after 90 mins.

Keep as active as you possibly can, wear light layers and warm socks and hats, gloves and a scarf when you’re outside. A hot water bottle in bed is a great help. Please do keep warm. Help is there should you need it.

I like to go out cycling in the cold weather, it makes me feel glowing, stops my back pain. I have all the cold weather gear and I only go on cycle tracks not roads. Also sleep like a log

www.government-grants.co.uk/home-insulation-grants/free-insulation/

There are various eligible categories but
If you do not fall into this category you are still likely to benefit from Government funding, please enter your details in the Insulation Grant Application Form below.

welbeck

trying to get by with heating on for about an hour.
after which it was 47F in my room, at 2am, and 44F at 9.30am.
am feeling a bit low. not too bad inside bed, as wearing 3 layers, but dreading weather getting worse.

Oh dear welbeck do you get the age-related heating allowance?
Can you economise in the warmer months so that you can be more warm and comfortable in the winter?

I don't like the heat on in our bedroom but the heat does filter through from the rest of the house.

I'm so used to Centrigrade I'll have to convert that.
Only slightly warmer than outside.

Have you taken advantage of all the initiatives for home insulation, welbeck?

Good grief welbeck that’s a shockingly low room temperature to be living in. You must be feeling miserable. You could easily slip into hypothermia and not realise.

We had our gas boiler serviced recently and our lovely gas engineer told us that he's servicing boilers all around the place. He turns up at the homes of "older" people and they often answer to door in gloves, woolly hats etc, because they are scared to put on the heating. Its heart-breaking, and he tells them all to stop acting that way, you need to be warm.

We've turned the thermostat down a couple of degrees but that's our only concession. Also, I've got a plug-in throw that heats up. Best thing I ever bought.

Welbeck
That is a dangerously low temperature to be living in.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-660256-e568afac-2b88-4115-81d6-c5414cf925f0.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-690256-fe22f335-f68b-4697-a3ca-a6a4fcdd6403.jpeg

I had been using a cosy fleece throw over me while sitting reading or watching tv. But I felt it made me lazy as I was reluctant to throw it off to go to do something as I knew I was going to be cold again. I recently bought a full length fleecy cheap version of the “oodie” It’s so cosy and comfortable and I’m fully mobile while wearing it round the house. It cost £23 on Amazon and I love it. I’ve attached a photo.

I had my grandchildren and their dog here at the weekend and I came downstairs wearing it with the hood up to give them a laugh. The dog jumped back in horror and barked before he realised it was me 😆

Please do not stint on heat during the cold weather. Power companies are not allowed to cut off vulnerable groups during the winter months, so there is no danger of you being cut off or put on a prepayment meter.

Vulnerable groups include people who are retired, on disability benefits or with children under 5.

Ring your energy company, make sure you are on the 'vulnerable' list. If you think you may have problems with heating billd, contact your energy company before the need arises. Let them know you are struggling.

welbeck, before you turn the heating that low watch this link from the BBC. It shows what happens to your body when you are in a cold room and explains the damage it can do to your health. www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63602501.

Please get in contact with Age UK tomorrow to ask them what help you can get. I am sure that if you are rationing your heat this much, it must be because you are not claiming all the help you are entitled to. There is a film clip within this link that lists all the money available for older people. Are you getting it all?

Do you have hot water bottles and are you using them? Can you get an electric blanket, whch will help to keep your core heat up. What you are doing is very very dangerous and putting your life at risk. Please contact someone to get help.

I have an electric hot water bottle. Has a charge lead, takes about 5 minutes to get warm and stays warm for several hours. There are lots of them for sale on Amazon and other places. I think I’d get one if I were you Welbeck as 44°F (6.6°C) is too cold and it’s going to get worse. It won’t cost as much as heating.

trying to get by with heating on for about an hour.
after which it was 47F in my room, at 2am, and 44F at 9.30am.
am feeling a bit low. not too bad inside bed, as wearing 3 layers, but dreading weather getting worse.

I have a lightweight fleece throw at my chair which I often just pull over me and it makes all the difference. It's just big enough to go over me and takes up very little space when not in use.