Cold House

[ABC237]

Hello

Now that it's starting to get a bit cooler we're starting to feel it in the house. I dont really want the heating on all the time so was wondering if anyone has any tips to keep a house warm? Just remembering how bad it was last winter... Brr! xx

 

[Sammyxo]

Hey, I've been thinking about this too as my house gets really cold in winter and we spent so much on heating last year that I just know we can't do the same this time around. So I've been on a mission to make sure our house is warmer this year! I bought some insulating tape from Poundland that I'll put around the windows as even though we have double glazing here it's awful (my landlord probably did it himself like most things!) You can buy it anywhere, here's a link to one on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrica...lies_ET&var=&hash=item231d681c95#ht_500wt_969

Also if you have big gaps under your doors might be best to buy some draught excluders, e.g http://www.pasttimes.com/home/soldier_draught_excluder-833432.htm (although you can find them cheaper i'm sure). Our kitchen door has a massive gap so we've got one and it does make a difference.

Any rooms without carpet will feel the cold more as apparently the heat from radiators will just go into the floor so if you can buy some rugs for the rooms it might help. We have a huge living room joined with dining room which has floorboards throughout and gets so cold. I'm thinking about buying a couple of portable heaters so that whilst we're in 1 room we can just switch them on instead of heating the whole house. Probably buy one for the bedroom too so in the evenings can put it on before bed and then when we go up the room will be nice and warm.

Oh and I've already found lighting a few candles in the room you're in always makes it a little warmer (or at least it feels that way) plus it's homely and festive

Hope that helps

 

[Hunnie]

I know you can actually save money having your heating on all the time but on a lower setting rather than having it on a timer xxx

 

[Little_angel]

Don't worry, if you're anything like me, you will be toasty all winter - I've been boiling during pregnancy, it's like having a little radiator inside!

Sorry, I don't have constructive suggestions, we have a very warm house. I have the heating off and the patio doors open at the moment.

 

[Sue Clare]

I always keep my heating on max 20 degrees whilst I'm home, when I go out
I turn it down to 15 degrees. This is an efficient way of keeping house warm xx

 

[leesey]

Thick, heavy curtains.
Oil radiators.
Draught excluders.
Keep the doors closed as much as possible.

I might think of more, this time last year I lived in a very cold house!! xx

 

[tambo1976]

I try to wear lots of layers lol. It seems easier to keep me warm while the kids are at school and OH's at work than it does to keep the whole house warm!

When they are home though, shutting doors is a must! and I was also told by the electric company never to turn off the heating as apparently turning it off and on again is very costly. I was told to keep it at 16 degree's all through the night and in the morning turn it up to a maximum of 21. Even if we have a hot day don't turn it below 16 as it won't come on anyway

 

[PyscoFalcon]

We finally managed to get the landlord to get cavity wall insulation and loft insulation fitted this year. It's made so much differance as warms up really quick (used to have heating on 2/7 and still be wrapped in a duvet shivering) so only need it on for 30mins to an hour in morning and that's it for the day.

Looking forward to not shivering with a giant heating bill this year

PS have a look into it via council site as some councils offer discounts to certain people as part of the winter heating bill

 

[LikeJohnnYoko]

Draft excluder's, curtains hung over doors (one over the letterbox makes so much difference!), I always have lots of blankets to hand, layer myself, wear thermal leggings and thick socks, and if need be the duvet as well.

 

[Sue Clare]

Cavity wall insulation is a must. Our house has it
and it gets so hot here! xx

 

[BevG]

a small oil radiator from argos can make a room toasty warm and costs 2p an hour to run, that way you dont need to heat the whole house, i get too hot at night with the heating on low but babys hands get really cold so i have one for her room, when shes in her own room i plan to use that at night to keep it warm. and yeah the best way to keep the place warm all the time and save money is to have the draughts all blocked and have the heating on really low all the time, it really does make the place cosy if its on low for most of the morning and barely uses any gas really

 

[nicky1987]

Our landlady has just had our loft cavity and wall isulation done so looking forward to seeing if there is a big difference! We are on pay and go gas and electric and last year we were spending just under £100 a month just on gas!! Really cant afford that this year xx

 

[LikeJohnnYoko]

a small oil radiator from argos can make a room toasty warm and costs 2p an hour to run, that way you dont need to heat the whole house, i get too hot at night with the heating on low but babys hands get really cold so i have one for her room, when shes in her own room i plan to use that at night to keep it warm. and yeah the best way to keep the place warm all the time and save money is to have the draughts all blocked and have the heating on really low all the time, it really does make the place cosy if its on low for most of the morning and barely uses any gas really

This could be dependant on your tenancy though; ours forbids oil radiators and gas BBQ's amongst other things!

 

[BevG]

ah thats loony aint it, guess they have a reason

 

[LikeJohnnYoko]

ah thats loony aint it, guess they have a reason

Yeah, it's one of those "read your lease closely" things.