How are you coping with this cold snap?

We have had lying snow for a few days which shows no sign of melting so it's very cold here. The heating is on all day and kept on low overnight.
Wearing thermals and thick jumpers too.

RosiesMawagain

On the basis that this is precisely that, a cold snap I have no compunction about having the heating on . If it goes on for many weeks, I might reconsider, but temperatures will be on the rise in the next week, or at least normal for January.
Why suffer, or risk colds or flu, discomfort even hypothermia?

I totally agree, I refuse to struggle with being cold after living for 30 years in an ancient farmhouse with no central heating and the doors/windows didn’t fill the holes. I shudder at how miserable it was despite my very best efforts.
The heating is set at 18° during the day, 12° at night and the log burner keeps the downstairs cosy.
I dress in multiple layers for dog walks, thermal gloves, hat and a warm scarf and wear my hand-knitted socks.
If necessary I have a number of throws/blankets, hot water bottles etc to use as well.
I’m in credit with the utilities company and should be fine, if necessary I’ll dip into my savings.

We had snow this morning in NSurrey but its now sunny and feels a tad milder.
This cold snap has made me feel very very tired and irritable.
The gas CH is on 24/7 upstairs as DH is bed bound. But downstairs I put it on every now and again as I am not using the sitting room just the kitchen. I wear more clothes downstairs. Warmer tomorrow is the forecast thank goodness. Fingers crossed it's the last cold snap.

I invested some of my Winter Heating payment in a heated overblanket - one of my best decisions! Keeps me lovely and warm of an evening when I'm reading/knitting - don't often need to plug it in, it's very efficient on its own. I put the central heating on for a few hours when I need it - this last cold snap has been the 1st time this winter I've had it running all day, but not at night because it's so noisy. I keep the CH thermostat at around 19degC but I have plenty of layers to add/subtract as necessary (and currently using up some of my yarn stash to make daft hats and handwarmers). I'm fortunate in having quite a high body temperature (yup, all those layers of fat do come in handy) and so far I haven't put the electric blanket on the bed, just pyjamas and bed socks is fine.

Norah

Cosy fires, warm soup, lovely layers of clothing. I love winter.

So do I.

Me too. I sleep better when the nights are dark. I really struggle when the mornings are light despite blackout blinds.

I sleep better in winter. Cold room, dark, cosy duvet.

The moon's very bright at the moment. If there's a crack in the curtains it shines in!

I live in a single brick Victorian terrace. It's freezing and have had ice on the inside of windows. These houses are just not suitable when it's below zero.

I make myself into a human sandwich. An electric blanket underneath and a furry heated throw on top.

Will hopefully sell soon and move into a small, easily heated new build before next winter.

Good plan barmcake. More small, well insulated houses should be built for single persons and very small families. Thoughtfully planned inside and out.

It would be an encouragement to older people in often too large houses to downsize.

Yet 4 or 5 bedroom houses seem to be the norm on the new housing estates.

I am in bed wearing pjs,.thick track suit, onesie with hood and a pair of socks. Two duvets and still chilly. Not very mobile at the moment because of broken femur. House is freezing even with heating on. Built in the 70's with little insulation. Have multi fuel stove in the TV room and that is kept toasty. Didn't bother me until my accident as I was always on the move.

I have district heating and it is never turned off, just turned down in the summer months, as I simply refuse to be cold.

In this weather, I light the wood burner, mid-afternoon and keep it on until I have finished washing-up in the evening.

Right now the day starts with shovelling snow off my pavement at 7 a.m. and some days I have been out repeating that exercise mid afternoon and before going to bed. Not a lot can be said for shovelling snow, but it does warm you up.

This morning the cats came in from their necessary morning walk and chased each other all round the sitting-room, ambushing each other from behind armchairs and sofa. That got them both warmed up, again.

Heated waistcoats/gilets are marvellous - I have two batteries so have one on charge while wearing the other. Keeps me beautifully warm.

Thankfully our boiler is just fixed after no heating since Friday. It’s been perishing. What helped the most was a hat and gloves, layers as opposed to one thick jumper etc. a hot water bottle and extra blankets and lots of warm drinks. I noticed I felt much more tired which I know is normal when it’s cold but does make you feel like doing nothing, when really we should gently keep active when we can. It now feels positively tropical in comparison!

Underfloor heating keeps the house warm but I have really noticed the drafts coming through windows and doors. They are wooden and the house is south facing and the frames have warped in the sun and don't open and close easily anymore. Lots of windows and patio doors so would be very expensive not to mention disruptive to replace.

Greenfinch

Me too. I sleep better when the nights are dark. I really struggle when the mornings are light despite blackout blinds.

Me too. And I sleep better when it’s cold too.

I have the heating on all day at around 18°. I’ve got to the stage that if I can afford it, then it’s going to be on come what may. Since my Big Op, I feel the cold much more. I cosy up in front of the telly & woodburner, under a fleecy rug with a hot water bottle at my back. Amazing how a hwb makes all the difference.

I totally agree with you HelterSkelter1. There are more single people now than ever, but developers only build for profit. I notice a lot of new build flats have electric only, which I would not want.

Sending healing thoughts to you Nuttynanna2. I hope someone is around to help you.

Our heating has been on at 21 deg as usual (off at night). In winter I nearly always wear my lovely sheepskin house boots from Celtic indoors, and lately I’ve been wearing a quilted gilet as well as a warm jumper and an underlayer. So I haven’t felt at all cold indoors.
Outside is a different matter! Warm coat, good boots and socks, warm gloves and a woolly hat!

I have underfloor heating. I only have it on in the two bathrooms when it’s very cold, such as now. The bedroom thermostats are set at 18degrees, but the temperature has never dropped below that, so the heating has never come on, except for when I turned the thermostats up to check that the heating really works, and it does. The hall and open plan living area are set at 22 degrees. I think some warmth in very cold weather is important for the fabric of the building.

PS. The heating is never turned off, as recommended.

I must admit I am enjoying this cold weather, much better than the wet, mild winter of last year.
We haven’t had any snow yet however.
I find it’s always easier to put on layers and the heating to keep warm as opposed to trying to keep cool from the heatwaves of the summer last year which I really didn’t enjoy.

The thing is the lovely cozzie heated blankets are so cosy you dont want to get up to make tea or dinner !

Well fitted Roman shades (I made ours), keep out light and cold draughts. Not at all difficult to sew, pull up snug in the day for sunlight.

HelterSkelter1

Good plan barmcake. More small, well insulated houses should be built for single persons and very small families. Thoughtfully planned inside and out.

It would be an encouragement to older people in often too large houses to downsize.

Yet 4 or 5 bedroom houses seem to be the norm on the new housing estates.

We have some of the smallest houses in Europe and having recently visited a number of 3/4 bedroomed show homes, on local new estates, regardless of how many rooms they have , they are all small and poky. One house had a study that measured 6ft by 4ft. Barely room for a tiny desk and a chair. The hallway was shoulder width and the dining end of the kitchen could barely fit a small round table and 4 chairs.

Average household size is only 2.35 people, so while there will be areas where families have a difficult time getting suitable accommodation

As for all these recommendations that older people ought to be encouraged to down-size, it is a red herring to suggest it would ease any housing crisis for families and the like. All it would do is place older people in competition with first time buyers for smaller properties, which will only drive prices at the bottom of the market up making it more difficult for first time buyers.

Nor do all elderly people want smaller accommodation. As you get older and less mobile, you become more housebound and you may well need more living space for in house hobbies and interests.

When you see houses for sale with 4 rooms upstairs, it is surprising the number of times you see that rooms described in estate agents details as 'bedrooms' are being used for a wide variety of alternative uses, as offices, gyms, sewing rooms, libraries, workrooms and so on. This is not limited to the elderly.

Yes, of course, some people will want to downsize to a smaller proeprties in old age, often to free capital invested in their home or to move near family. A number like the security of retirement complexes, but there are also many older people who want and can continue to live as they have always done and refuse be coerced by people telling them what they ought to do regardless of whether it would contribute to their welfare or not.