Time to turn the heating on?

You should have made it clear that this was because you were doing what you are doing for fiancial reasons.

Yes, I remember conditions like those you describe. You at least had a paraffin heater, I used to go downstairs and dress - and undress in the kitchen.

Well, M0nica, the primary reason is the cost. My husband is retired, but I'm basically living off what savings I have and no, we are not entitled to any benefits whatsoever, so it's not a case of some kind of misguided pride or masochism, but rather trying to live within our means.
I grew up in this house when the long Scottish winter months meant ice on the inside of the windows as well as outside and apart from one rather meagre gas fire, there was no heating. My mother used to put a small paraffin heater in the bathroom in an attempt to stop the pipes from freezing, so at least things aren't as bad as they were then.

ViceVersa

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but we try to use our central heating for the absolute minimum time possible, so maybe we're among those people you're talking about, Rosie51.
Even on the very coldest of days, it might only be on for an hour or so in the morning and again in the evening. The rest of the time, we just layer up and make do with our woodburner - but again, it just goes on in the evenings.
I think I've posted before about sitting here typing on my laptop with gloves on, clad in several layers to try to keep as cosy as possible during the winter months.

Except that however well wrapped you are, you will still be breathing cold air into your lungs and not only will this endanger the health of anyone with respiratory problems or heart disease, but will also put you at risk of developing such medical problems. It also leads to your home becoming damp and the growth of mould and mildew. The fact that you cannot see condensation and mould does not mean that both are not present and again, breathing in both can lead to respiratory problems.

Personally, unless you live like this in winter because your fianacial resources do not rise to any more (have you checked you are receiving all the benfits you are entitled to?), I think what your doing is not a cause of pride, but more a pointless exercise in masochism, which you think is impressive.

We keep our home at a temperature that is comfortable for us when wearing ordinary winter clothes, which I would describe as two layers of clothing made from warm fabrics. I have Raynauds syndrome so do wear fingerless gloves when that is causing particular problems, but that is all.

I cannot think of a single good reason why anyone who can afford their heating bills, should want to live in anything but a normal comfortable temperature. What that is will vary from person to person, but I would say, keeping the inside of the house consistently at a temperature between 18 - 20 degrees.

No matter how many thermal layers I wear I have to have my heating on . If I don't I suffer and it effects my limbs and heart . I have suffered when I couldn't afford to have it on for 3 hours a day but last year and this I will have it on for as long I want . I can't allow my health to suffer especially as it's gotten worse since January. Plus I even though I am £400 in credit just increased my monthly payments by £20 as I don't want to worry about having my heating on.

On holiday at the moment in Harrogate and got the heating on as it very cold here today.

I am not extravagant in my life style and for me keeping warm is a must. My autumn duvet is going once home and winter dressing gowns in place of summer weight .

Well I’ve cracked….woodburner lit this afternoon.
My excuse….im in the very north of Scotland

Rosie51

Your Top Trumps point made me laugh . . . because it really does seem like that.
I wonder if there will be any answers to your point about
Curious as to whether those folk who turn their central heating on by date not how cold it is, do the same when it comes to turning it off next year?
Do they still go by date or by what the temperature is?

To me it would be daft to run heating because the turn off date hasn't arrived but the weather is unseasonably warm.

The year we moved up north there was an unseasonably warm spell in February.
The heating was off for nearly a week. But that year, it snowed in May, so guess who’s heating was on!

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but we try to use our central heating for the absolute minimum time possible, so maybe we're among those people you're talking about, Rosie51.
Even on the very coldest of days, it might only be on for an hour or so in the morning and again in the evening. The rest of the time, we just layer up and make do with our woodburner - but again, it just goes on in the evenings.
I think I've posted before about sitting here typing on my laptop with gloves on, clad in several layers to try to keep as cosy as possible during the winter months.

Curious as to whether those folk who turn their central heating on by date not how cold it is, do the same when it comes to turning it off next year? Do they still go by date or by what the temperature is? To me it would be daft to run heating because the turn off date hasn't arrived but the weather is unseasonably warm.
It does sometimes seem like it's Top Trumps who can go longest with the coldest temperatures. I used to post on the MSE forums and every year there'd be threads where people seemingly competed for who lasted longest. The funny thing was some would declare they hadn't put 'the heating' on but were enjoying roaring open fires or wood burners!

Being too cold is dangerous for anybody but especially so for the very young and older people. Hypothermia kills old people every single year. I sympathise with anybody who struggles with the cost of keeping warm, and it's as well to remember those that live in old draughty properties will be colder than those who live in modern well insulated properties.

But yes, the autumn duvet is going on and I did put an oil-filled radiator on in the conservatory the other day when it was chilly.

A vest! (well cotton camisole) and a cardigan or light jumper so far.
If it's sunny then the conservatory is warm in the afternoon (24C yesterday despite the wind and rain outside) which is perfect for nodding off sitting doing some craft.

RosieandherMaw

“Utterly ridiculous” - says who?
It’s a matter of opinion surely?
If I am cold, I can do whatever I like to make myself comfortable in my own home can’t I?
Or if I am too hot - likewise.
I hate these pronouncements from people who seem to think they know best.

Exactly.

Though I might be slightly envious of those hardy souls who only need a thin sheet and have the windows open whilst storm Amy has lowered the temperature to 11°.
They won’t need the WFP. 🤗

It can depend on where you live. It is always colder where I live than in the town 5 miles away.
Older people should not allow themselves to become cold as it can cause serious health conditions.

“Utterly ridiculous” - says who?
It’s a matter of opinion surely?
If I am cold, I can do whatever I like to make myself comfortable in my own home can’t I?
Or if I am too hot - likewise.
I hate these pronouncements from people who seem to think they know best.

Jaxjacky

Carolest59

absolutely bluebell .utterly ridiculous putting heating on mid September .still fairly warm and won’t need ours till November .17 isn’t cold anyway

It’s not ‘utterly ridiculous’ for those in a different situation from you, whose health or physical make up means they need to be kept constantly warm.
Rather a dismissive and unnecessary attitude Carolest.

well said !

Living in the very far north of Scotland the temperature has plummeted to 8 degrees this morning, from about 17 degrees last week! So cottage pretty cold and raining, heating went on for an hour to take the chill off and wood burner lit to stay cosy, would rather have waited until October but it's miserable being stuck inside and cold.

M0nica

Our heating is controlled by the clock and the thermostats so I never turn it on or off. I just leave it to get on with it.

Me too, but I am a bit sneaky and when DH is not looking I turn the thermostat down.

Mine is on a thermostat and came on for the first time this morning, but I turned it right off again, it doesn't seem cold enough for it yet.

Smileless2012

Our's has been on here and there for the past few days when needed.

Heating is when you need it or anyone you’re living with needs it that’s important, not whether others don’t.
Rules don’t always make sense for everyone.

We used to be really cold in school until October, until the HSR decreed that 16° was necessary for sedentary jobs.

So if you’re sedentary at home, by choice or obligation, it is sensible and economical to use throws or jumpers, but if you’re still cold, heating is a good idea and especially for shower or bath time.
It doesn’t matter if others don’t need it.

I’m in the North West and our temperatures have been 13 to 16 degrees today. I’m normally too hot but my DD and her husband have gone on holiday today so I won’t be putting the heating on till they can me back . I’d rather put a jumper on . I don’t know why I worry because they pay the bill !

Have no idea how that got posted on this thread 🤔 Haven't even read this one. Just ignore it

Tell him the 2p a day it costs to run is a small price to pay to not get burgled because people think the house is empty.

Our's has been on here and there for the past few days when needed.

Carolest59

absolutely bluebell .utterly ridiculous putting heating on mid September .still fairly warm and won’t need ours till November .17 isn’t cold anyway

😳 I happen to have heart failure, I feel the cold as does my DH who has several health conditions so I find your comment offensive.
I end up feeling ill if I get really cold and I refuse to delay putting on the heating as if it’s some sort of race to the bottom.
It’s 14° here today and the heating is on, thermostat set at 17°.

I have a long way to go yet in terms of extra layers before I'll be using the heating. Sadly even with the winter fuel allowance I'll be struggling this year. I read yesterday that we may be getting another mini heatwave at the end of the month so lets hope so. As long as it isn't so hot that I need to use the fan I'll be a happy bunny!

Well I put mine on today to test it worked ok as it’s a new (to me) house and it worked fine now I just need to figure out the settings and timings as the the man who lived here before has a completely different controller for upstairs to downstairs, why I have no idea.