Turning on the heat

MissInterpreted

Marydoll

A temperature of 15° is not good for anyone with heart or lung issues. I have both and would never dream of having a temperature of 15° in my home. Ours is usually about 20°.

That's all well and good if you can afford it. I'm not sure our house temperature ever gets much above 15 degrees.

There was no offence intended.
I am stating what I have been advised. I am well aware that not everyone can afford to have their heating at the recommended temperature.
However, at that ambient temperature, my chest hurts and it is detrimental to my health.

We are very canny with our bills, have insulated our home, take measures to keep our house at a reasonable temperature downstairs, whereas upstairs is much cooler. We don't go foreign holidays, due to my poor health and are happy to put any money saved towards our heating bill.

Our heating comes on automatically if the temp drops below 20 degrees c. I can’t abide being cold, and we have made sure we have money aside for the inevitable heating bill. It’s also dangerous to your health to sit for too long in cold conditions, plus your house will become damp which could lead to all sorts of extra expense trying to put right damage caused by damp and mould (not to mention the harm to your health).
It’s a huge concern (or should be) that there are people who cannot afford to stay warm in their homes, this should never be the case in the 21st century, but sadly, it is.

I think one of the keys is to get dressed and get out in the mornings ( health permitting) And move a bit.
Miserable fail from me these past few days.
Must try harder.

Marydoll

A temperature of 15° is not good for anyone with heart or lung issues. I have both and would never dream of having a temperature of 15° in my home. Ours is usually about 20°.

That's all well and good if you can afford it. I'm not sure our house temperature ever gets much above 15 degrees.

Mt61

MissInterpreted

To me, if someone asked if we had had the heating on yet, I'd assume they meant central heating. We use our wood burning stove because it's a free source of heat and we only put the central heating on if absolutely necessary. We couldn't afford to have it on all the time like some people seem to do. Our house probably is very cold by most people's standards, but that's just how it is for us.

Thought I had seen somewhere that this government is trying to ban wood burning stoves, is that right?

Not in Scotland, no. We genuinely couldn't do without ours now. As I say, it's a free source of heat, otherwise I don't know how we'd manage.

We've 2 wood fires burning, one at each end of our home.

A temperature of 15° is not good for anyone with heart or lung issues. I have both and would never dream of having a temperature of 15° in my home. Ours is usually about 20°.

Oops sorry finger slip! Our boiler which is also our cooker failed on co2 emissions at end of Aug. We are still awaiting a replacement which is due to be fitted beginning of Oct. I really hate feeling cold. The weather has been kind in North East. I go out walking the dog a lot as it is warmer outside than inside. Truly feel for folk who cant afford to heat their homes as they wish.

MissInterpreted

To me, if someone asked if we had had the heating on yet, I'd assume they meant central heating. We use our wood burning stove because it's a free source of heat and we only put the central heating on if absolutely necessary. We couldn't afford to have it on all the time like some people seem to do. Our house probably is very cold by most people's standards, but that's just how it is for us.

Thought I had seen somewhere that this government is trying to ban wood burning stoves, is that right?

Our boiler failed t

By coincidence, we have just advanced our heating this afternoon as after a busy morning we have both just sat down and it feels chilly. Like many on here, our heating is determined by temperature, not calendar, but I acknowledge that we are fortunate to have been able to (deliberately) build up a decent credit with Octopus, so will be using the central heating when we need to.

No, hot water bottles, blankets & electric blanket at bed time.
We have underfloor heating but that hasn’t been on yet- run it on low, in winter instead of full heating during the night

bubbly1960, you could get a plug-in oil-filled radiator for your bedroom.
they are are on castors and quite convenient.
modern ones often have a remote control and/or timer device, so you could have it on just for going to bed and getting up.
there are other kinds of heaters too.
but fan blower ones tend to be expensive to run.

I am fortunate I can afford to pay for my heating but yesterday I looked at my smart meter and almost had to sit down because the gas bill had leapt up and the house, for me, was not particularly warm.

I will keep heating on low at night to save burst pipes and that is when the T is -2C. The rationale is that a few ££s are cheaper than finding a plumber and paying his inflated bill.

To me, if someone asked if we had had the heating on yet, I'd assume they meant central heating. We use our wood burning stove because it's a free source of heat and we only put the central heating on if absolutely necessary. We couldn't afford to have it on all the time like some people seem to do. Our house probably is very cold by most people's standards, but that's just how it is for us.

I’m in the North East - where we are hard! (Allegedly)

Sort of off topic, but I wonder how many like me have built up a considerable credit balance with their energy companies? I know recent threads have shown quite a lot on GNs just pay for what they use, but paying over the odds through the warmer weather has its rewards. My monthly payment went down, to an agreed £200 and I’m now £600+ in credit.

Dickens

We're really a mixed bunch on GN aren't we - there's the apparently hale-and-stalwart jusnoneed with no central heating and open windows freshening up her home, then there's my OH shuffling around on his Zimmer permanently draped in his thick cardi (he's not actually on GN but is always curious to know what "the grans" think about various political issues).

It would be good if everyone - old and young - could turn on their heating as and when it was needed to the degree that is comfortable for them, day or night regardless of the season, but until we address the real causes of 'energy-poverty', nothing will change.

I agree!

I grew up with the only heating source being in the living room. Oh how elevated we felt when dad got a parafin heater for the kitchen, and we reached the pinnacle when he installed an electric bar heater over the door in the bathroom. I have no desire for myself or anyone else to return to those days when to be cold was so normal as not to be remarked on.

What I find amusing is the people that say they haven't had the heating on but then say the log burner or similar has been used. Does it only count as 'heating' if it's central heating? That would mean people without central heating never put the heating on. There used to be an annual thread on The Money Saving Expert forums where there was this huge competition (it seemed) to be the hardiest, latest person to 'put the heating on'. Over there many felt their wood burners or open fires didn't count.

Yes, of course my heating is on, and has been most of this appaling wet and cold summer we have had.

But of course, I am not British, and do not see the point of being frozen silly in my own home. I save money, by turning of lights, only washing clothes when I can feel the machine, and taking very short showers and never a bath.

I am also fortunate in living in a town where the municipal heating plant is made up of hard headed businessmen and women who have long since seen the force of wind-and sun-power, so we are not depending on Russian oil and gas, or anyone else's oil and gas.

At our time of life, being cold is assuredly bad for us.

I’m put mine on for the first time this morning. It came on at seven, and by half past nine, I had used more gas and electricity as I have been doing in a normal day during the summer and I hadn’t even started my day! I’m not going to do the maths - it would scare the living daylights out of me and I’m one of the ones who can afford to pay the bills. What effect must it have on those who can’t?

Georgesgran I am in Dorset lol.

I just don't like being hot, never have. The only time I have stayed anywhere with central heating I found it stifling, give me cool fresh air every time.

Witzend

Yesterday was the first time since last winter that I’ve worn a winter coat. The temp just outside the kitchen window before I went out, was 13.1.

This after a very recent week of lovely Indian Summer. (Outer SW London)
The sun was still noticeably warm yesterday, but the air was certainly cold.

Temperature here is 10C, feels like 8C
No, I'm not in the frozen north but in the west!

We very rarely have the radiator on in the bedroom and the small window is usually open unless there's a gale blowing.

I live in a Housing Association house which has 30+ years vintage storage heaters, and nothing in bedroom. I have read your replies of thermostats to control heat, turn heat on for different times of day, and want to say, I'd be grateful to have that chance!!!
As I am chronically unwell, my way of going through the cold times is my heated blanket, hot water bottle, and hot drinks.
Yes I grew up having ice on inside of windows, and paraffin heaters, and coal fires, but hope I live long enough to play with more effective heating!!!

Meant to add, we did have the heating on for a few hours yesterday pm, but it’s never on during the night.

Yesterday was the first time since last winter that I’ve worn a winter coat. The temp just outside the kitchen window before I went out, was 13.1.

This after a very recent week of lovely Indian Summer. (Outer SW London)
The sun was still noticeably warm yesterday, but the air was certainly cold.

kittylester

I also grew up with ice inside the windows (didn't lots of us?) but life has moved on and I don't feel the need to be that cold ever again.

As a matter of interest - what is the recommended bedroom temp at night. Surely it's not 15°?

No idea. I don't our house would ever meet any 'recommended' temperatures anyway. I may not 'need' to feel the cold, but financial necessities dictate otherwise.