Heating on!

Our heating came on ( thermostat controlled) for the first time this autumn yesterday and we certainly needed it this morning. We had a hard overnight frost too. Yesterday I was grateful to find a pull on hat in my outdoor jacket pocket whilst out for a walk. I am wearing a padded gilet over my jumper indoors at present as we only blip the heating on in the early morning and later evening. Not very stylish but I'm warm! I think it is the sudden change to cooler weather after the warm front a couple of weeks ago that makes it suddenly feel wintery.

No central heating here and I m not putting the gas fire on yet so it’s a warm furry oodie and hot water bottle

Same as you Margiknot. I have felt so cold indoors today, making my body actually ache, so on with the central heating at 6pm tonight. It will switch off once the log fire heats the house. I also wear a gilet over a lightweight fleece indoors, plus cosy slippers! Not very stylish, but cosy. I wore my padded Winter coat when I went out shopping! Last week I was gardening in shorts and a t shirt?

A bit nippy but too early to put the heating on yet. We need to get to November at least and preferably December before we use our half hour in a morning and half hour at night. Otherwise the bill will be too high.

Ours has been on and off since yesterday, it’s on a timer and thermostatically controlled. I have Raynauds and getting cold is quite horrible, I wear a thermal vest and thermal socks, Raynauds gloves outside.
We can afford the heating, we’re fortunate and live in a relatively small three bed semi.
I’ve not heard anything watermeadow other than gas prices are going up, but if in the right category, you will get the winter fuel allowance. I think you have a healthy credit, but a lot depends on the person (people), house size, insulation etc.

watermeadow you mention being £700 in credit with Octopus. I'm just wondering when your next bill is due.
Up to last week I was 'in credit' but as the amount for the October bill was recently deducted only £57 remains.
Just thought I'd mention this in case you too have a bill due before the winter starts.
Are you of the age to qualify for the Winter Fuel payment? Due around November.

I understand Winter Fuel Payment is £500 this year, if you’re born between ‘43 and ‘57. Born before ‘43 and it’s -£600 - Payable per household around Nov/Dec. You don’t have to claim - it’s paid into the same account as your DWP.
I posted a pic of the Gov website on a similar post a few days ago, but can’t find it.

People born on or before 24th September 1943 quality for the Winter Fuel payment of £600.
The £600 also includes extra money from the government to help with the cost of living. This extra money is known as a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
You can find out more about the full range of support available from the government to help with the cost of living. Search Help for Households online for more information.

“Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.”

From gov.uk website.

.

I was born on the 22nd September 1943 so I will get the £600 by the skin of my teeth.

I put the heating on yesterday and it has been on almost all day today. It is ridiculous sitting here and shivering but it has been pleasant here today. The bonus is that the heating dries my clothes as well.

CH is now on and we lit the woodburner for some extra heat today.

Exactly charleygirl. Mine went on today as well. Why should we shiver and be miserable like granny in the corner swathed in shawls. Life is for living and we have earned the right to be comfortable!
Rent -a-hound as a sofa and bed warmer is however an added bonus!

vampirequeen

A bit nippy but too early to put the heating on yet. We need to get to November at least and preferably December before we use our half hour in a morning and half hour at night. Otherwise the bill will be too high.

Is your home ultra insulated?

I did put the heating on a couple of times very recently when it had suddenly got a lot colder. Yesterday and this morning it’s rather milder. Ours is operated manually though (our choice) only comes on automatically if indoor temp goes below 5, and it’s always off at night.

Like a pp, I often wear a padded gilet over a jumper and my sheepskin house boots from Celtic keep my feet nice and toasty. I’ve had them for several years now - sheepskin on the sole is wearing a bit thin, but they still serve the purpose.

Whitewavemark2

vampirequeen

A bit nippy but too early to put the heating on yet. We need to get to November at least and preferably December before we use our half hour in a morning and half hour at night. Otherwise the bill will be too high.

Is your home ultra insulated?

No. It's just a flat. But that amount of heating is all that we can afford. We treat ourselves on Christmas day by having the heating on for longer. The rest of the time we wear a lot of clothes and have blankets.

It's not pleasant but you get used to it in a way.

'Had to give in yesterday - walked the dog, and came home to find the inside of the house seemed even colder than outside. Heating on for two hours and then turned off; seems a little warmer today. We have a credit of almost £500 with Octopus, built up over the summer, but that will melt away like snow in no time at all.

Heated throws are great and very economical to run there’s a woman who does a Tik Tok video who swears by sitting on one - as opposed to snuggling under it!

What a difference a few days make. It has been positively balmy today here in Shropshire. DH brought down his warmer coats last weekend and came home from shopping this morning saying he was too hot wearing a thicker jacket. I went out this afternoon and was also hot, this evening I am wearing a short sleeved top and the radiators haven’t been on since early this morning.

I have a portable oil filled radiator in the lounge that I have been switching on for a couple of hours in the evening. It’s still warm here on the south coast so I’m hoping not to need the central heating for another week or so.

My house is very well insulated and the heating very rarely goes on. Today has been very warm indoors and hasn't warranted anything more than a short sleeved T-shirt and 3/4 leggings. It needs to get much colder before I even think about the heating.

I’ve lost weight (anxiety, sadly) and I feel the cold at the best of times so our heating is on low all day now. I can’t bear to be cold - that feeling of muscle ache in my outer upper arms is unpleasant. I don’t mind an extra layer or two but I’m not prepared to go around dressed as Nanook of the North. My comfort is important to me especially now.

Look after yourself urms I can’t bear being cold either.

👋 merlotgran and thank you. x