Energy costs, the way we were, and how we might cope today.

I live on an estate where the heating is provided centrally, so even if I keep our home cooler I'm still paying for everyone else's high temperatures.

I didn't live in a centrally heated house until I was 60 (when I retired).
However, I agree that modern houses (I now live in one) are built without chimneys for open fires, so this is simply not an option for many, whatever one's views on using fossil fuels!
I live in the very north of Scotland (near John O'Groats) and have taken out a loan to upgrade my windows to Triple glazed - both for extra insulation and to increase the thermal rating of the property. I will be saving up to get the doors replaced as soon as possible after that (the windows will be fitted next month).
In common with many other posters, I worry for people who are already struggling to pay their bills. There must be many more out of work because of businesses closing due to Covid.
The scale of the increases is unprecedented, and will be disastrous for many!
I can only suggest that those of you with cats and dogs, should perhaps consider letting them sleep on the bed - they will keep you a bit warmer! For those who have them or can afford them, thermal clothing can be a godsend!
I'm thinking of getting out my knitting needles and crochet hooks, even though my arthritic hands will struggle to make things now.

You’ll definitely need to keep your heating turned up CBBL! We have family in Wick and Freswick so know the weather conditions you have to deal with.

If you can afford them - and they are not that expensive - why do we see no mention of the personal warmth provided by electric blankets and throws.

There electricity consumption is negligible and can keep people safely warm, even if they have to limit how much they have the heating on.

In Australia our electricity prices are the worst in the world apparently. As usual we just accept this and nothing is done. Often here it is more a case of keeping cool than warm, though where I live it is cold in Winter and very hot in Summer so we get the worst of both worlds.

nanna8

In Australia our electricity prices are the worst in the world apparently. As usual we just accept this and nothing is done. Often here it is more a case of keeping cool than warm, though where I live it is cold in Winter and very hot in Summer so we get the worst of both worlds.

Isn't solar the way everyone is going in Australia? I know DD's last house had solar panels on the roof although someone I know said their solar panels weren't enough alone to run the air con in the very hot summer.
I've seen huge wind farms too.

I grew up with just a coal fire in the small living room. I would go back to that tomorrow if I could, but I'm in a rented house so can't.

I am very glad that I (luckily) bought a new build, rather than an old cottage. Insulation standard is very high, even has much insulation between floors, my home costs very little to heat but three years ago, when I was looking, I could easily have gone via the cottage or 1930s house route. I also have a stove and chimney and a huge stash of fuel, I had no idea that I would hardly use the stove but it is a good safety net, in case putin cuts off energy and we go onto a rolling programme of cuts. It happened before and could easily happen again

Solar can be good if you can afford the gear that goes with it. They don’t give you much back otherwise. Our house is surrounded by huge trees which I love and are protected by the local council ( I know, I know, bushfires are a worry) . Not that many have solar round here but I think in other states they get a better deal. I like burning wood in winter ,we don’t have to buy it so far, just pick up our own branches but we have gas for our main heating.

I did actually mention heated throws in my post of 10.52 on Monday 17th Jan, M0nica

Heated throws for those who cannot move about much, hot water bottles and bedsocks (I love mine!)

Not so sure any more about electric blankets- the very elderly or those with memory issues can forget to switch them off and even the sort you theoretically can leave on all night would gobble up the electricity. Great for getting into a warm bed though.

There was an interview on tv yesterday with a lady who said she couldn't afford her heating bills. She complained that she was wearing a vest, tee shirt, tights and a denim dress with the sleeves rolled back and was still cold. Another was interviewed wearing a thin cap sleeved top. I was wearing a thermal vest, long sleeved tee shirt, thick pullover with a high neck, thick trousers, very thick socks and a blanket over my lap. I was quite snug!

I also noticed an advert of someone turning a temperature gauge down a degree and the start temperature was 25! No wonder they can't afford their bills!

I wear leggings under jogging bottoms or trousers. I can't put socks so have shoes big enough for fleece insoles. I sometimes wear my teddy fleece coat indoors on top of fleece top or cardigan.

I live downstairs, upstairs storage only so it's not heated, and the foot of the stairs has a strong up draught useful for drying the washing.

I enjoy wearing layers of clothes in winter, it feels so cosy and from the time I swap summer for winter clothes, I will be wearing a thin wool sweater ot thermal vest, with a heavier sweater over it. I have Reynauds syndrome in my fingers and very cold feet, so I wear tights nearly all year round, thick in winter, light in summer and with thermal socks over them in winter. All this is my 'normal'.

Thankfully we can deal with higher energy prices, but these layers of clothes and having the thermostat set at 18.5 degrees, and having the heating on for 3.5 hours in the morning and 6 in the evening are what we have always had and find under most circumstances we are very comfortable living like that.

Occasionally, like at present, when it is very cold during the day, we light our wood burner after lunch.

On days like yesterd

France limiting the rise in Gas to 4% , Italy saying they will come down hard on any energy company that charges customers extortionate price rises , Sunak.....Nothing!

LucyW, I worry about you - with no hot water. Is there somewhere else you could go to get showered and changed? My son used the local pool or gym when he was renovating a house.

MayBeMaw my electric blanket is only 150 Watts - and cycles on and off so uses very little. I can be left on, but usually I just warm the bed before getting in. When it's very chilly, I leave the foot and leg end on low - it's lovely.

Having a little dog constantly beside you (and in the bed at night) is such a comfort too! 18C is fine for me - if there are no draughts - so a good door curtain is a must.

Rosina that brings back some memories. The days of single glazed windows that had ice on the inside during winter. Did you have one night of the week that was 'bath Night' and dad got in first, then mum, then kids with the 'baby' last. Those times were hard, but I can definitely say, we were happy.

Those were the days! Freezing cold mornings, dreading getting out of bed and putting my feet on the lino, which felt like ice.
Rushing downstairs where mum would have a small electric fire and getting dressed by its small amount of heat. The only other heating was the coal fire which would be lit later.

I just hope nobody has to feel that cold again.

Remember Three Dog Night? The name derives from the number of dogs required to sleep on the bed if it's very cold. I have an electric blanket and one dog sleeps across the bottom. She keeps my feet warm.

And an outside toilet. Freezing and a walk in the dark before bed.

And paraffin heaters - ugh .

Our bills have gone up too and while we are lucky enough to afford it and if I'm not kept reasonably warm I seize up. But we are making economies on our possibly wasteful use so turned the heating down a bit, unplugged all the things that are usually left on standby and although I like the house to be very well lit we are turning off things like the many many local gets in our kitchen when we aren't in there. Ill be very interested to see if it makes a difference to our consumption.

That should have said turning off lights

Whether you have double or triple glazing, line your curtains and draw them close as soon as it gets dark.

I am always amazed by the number of houses that at night have all the lights on and the curtains undrawn. I enjoy the view it gives of their decor, but wonder about their heating bills.

vegansrock

And paraffin heaters - ugh .

When I was about eight, while getting dried after my bath, I burnt my bum on a paraffin heater that my dad had put in the bathroom on that particularly cold winter's evening. I still have the mole that developed after the burn!