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Best way to keep my dad warm apart from have the heating on 24.7

88 replies

TheOpalFox · 15/12/2025 15:31

Sadly I can’t have my heating on 24.7!!!! And my dad is elderly and sits in his chair all day.
Whats the cheapest heater to run? Someone said an oil filled radiator? Someone else said halogen? Thankyou I have it on 21 degrees and he’s still cold so need a heater by him? Thanks

OP posts:
ultracynic · 15/12/2025 21:59

Another vote for a heated blanket, amazing invention. But if you want a heater I bought this one for the attic bedroom last week, seems to heat up very quickly and warms it up nicely despite being compact. It’s great for 30 quid!

www.argos.co.uk/product/5812080?clickPR=plp:1:10

dollyblue01 · 15/12/2025 21:40

Heated blanket definitely it’s a game changer

Crummles1 · 15/12/2025 21:37

A cat or a dog!

IhadaStripeyDeckchair · 15/12/2025 21:19

Heated throw
I bought one for my Dad & it's the best present I ever bought him.

Crummles1 · 15/12/2025 21:18

Yy to thermals as a number of people have said - tops and leggings, a hat - preferably with earflaps

But also

A sheepskin to sit on, on the chair or sofa
A footstool - feet off the ground
A duvet on top of his mattress/underneath him, or again a sheepskin

FuzzyWolf · 15/12/2025 21:14

Heated over blanket and a heated foot warmer.

HellsBalls · 15/12/2025 21:12

As been said by others, get some merino wool thermals, then wool jumper and a down gilet or long sleeve down jacket. You can get down pants as well, no idea on longevity mind. Long thick wool socks. Definitely a hat.

HelloPuppyPie · 15/12/2025 21:03

Definitely a heated throw they are so cosy

Tumbler2121 · 15/12/2025 21:00

Unless your house is huge why don't you use some of your dad's money to keep the home warm. It is very unlikely that his income is less than £1,000 a month and this seems a good use for it. If his income less than £1,000 look into benefits for him.

Barney16 · 15/12/2025 20:49

Unicornsarefluffy · 15/12/2025 15:33

A heated blanket.

This one has lasted me two years. It’s very warm. So much so I often turn it down (I am always cold). It saves me having the heating up high when I am working.

www.dreamlanduk.co.uk/products/relaxwell-deluxe-alaskan-husky-faux-fur-heated-throw

I have that one. I agree with you, It's amazing.

Sunshineandswimming · 15/12/2025 20:39

I really feel the cold (hypothyroidism) and years ago I tried using fleece blankets on my bed instead of (cold) sheets & it's a real game changer. It's lovely & snuggly to get into at night too. I then have a normal quilt on top. If it's really cold, I add an extra folded fleece blanket over my feet area. Toasty!

CabernetAndCocoMelon · 15/12/2025 20:13

I have an electric blanket it’s amazing

upstairsdownstairscardboardbox · 15/12/2025 20:11

heat the person, not the room - cheaper and everyone can suit themselves

Newmum738 · 15/12/2025 19:53

Headed throw. He will be toasty!

ThisTicklishFatball · 15/12/2025 19:51

I’ll definitely repeat suggestions already shared by others, but hey, they’re good ones.

Keeping him comfortable is the right approach—older people really do feel the cold more, especially if they’re sitting still for long periods, so it’s not a weakness, just physiology. There are plenty of ways to help without running the heating all day.

If he’s in one spot, it’s cheaper to warm the person, not the whole room. An oil-filled radiator near his chair gives steady heat and is safer for long use than fan heaters, while halogen heaters are best avoided. Direct warmth works even better: electric throws or heated blankets cost very little to run, hot water bottles are simple but effective, and thermal socks, slippers, and layers keep heat in. Chair placement matters too—if it’s near a window, door, or outside wall, he’ll feel colder. A draft excluder, a blanket over the back of the chair, or moving it slightly away from a cold wall can make a big difference. Warmth from the inside helps as well—regular hot drinks and warm meals go a long way. Keeping the house at 21° is already great; if he’s still cold, it’s not about spending more, just giving targeted warmth.

If the chill persists, mentioning it to the GP could be wise, as issues like poor circulation or anaemia can make someone feel colder. In these tough cost-of-living times, local heat and layers remain the kindest and most affordable solution.

LadyLapsang · 15/12/2025 19:46

Is your dad disabled or ill? Just wondered why he is sitting in a chair all day. My neighbours are in their 90s, one is off to the health club every morning for a swim and one was out for hours helping our gardeners with the garden last week. Even if he goes out for a five or ten minute walk he will feel the benefit coming back in to the warm.

Trapping air between layers helps, so wearing two pairs of socks, a heat tech vest, flannel shirt, sweater / fleece.

Check if he could get a social tariff to heat the house better.

Regular hot drinks help, and will get him moving.

CreepingCrone · 15/12/2025 19:36

I love my heated throw when I'm sat at my desk

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 15/12/2025 19:31

CandyCaneKisses · 15/12/2025 17:28

Layers
Warm socks
Slippers
Dressing gown
Blankets
Hot water bottle
Hot drinks and food

If there are reasons he can't have a heated blanket or hot water bottle then it's the above.

Dad found sherpa blankets good.

If he can then heated blanket or a plug in water bottle ie no filling with hot water would be best.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 15/12/2025 19:25

Unicornsarefluffy · 15/12/2025 15:33

A heated blanket.

This one has lasted me two years. It’s very warm. So much so I often turn it down (I am always cold). It saves me having the heating up high when I am working.

www.dreamlanduk.co.uk/products/relaxwell-deluxe-alaskan-husky-faux-fur-heated-throw

Definitely this!

RecordBreakers · 15/12/2025 19:19

Definitely layers, including tops that are long enough to stay tucked into trousers, and socks long enough not to leave a gap at the trouser legs.

I have one of those Oodies I have worn when wfh without the heating on for about 4 years. It is great as it comes with you when you need to moved to another room for any reason, and isn't a trip hazard as a blanket potentially might be.

My dbrother has a heated gilet - which he swears by and of course he can go out in that.

ThroughTheRedDoor · 15/12/2025 19:11

Turtle doves, the recycled cashmere wrist warmers also really help.

hididdlyho · 15/12/2025 19:04

A woolly hat, fingerless gloves and thick socks and slippers should also help

Fiftyandme · 15/12/2025 19:01

Heated blanket

meganorks · 15/12/2025 19:00

Not sure about heating options. But i got my FIL one of these to wear when he was feeling cold all the time. Its really lightweight and not very bulky so can be worn under or over other clothes

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E472808-000/00?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18135315258&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgP_JBhD-ARIsANpEMxwchmb3YFeI3HpBt2YKdc7gPtpb2XGwT5_rqzNgQTJIsYiNsUbnVaAaAt-DEALw_wcB&colorDisplayCode=09&sizeDisplayCode=004

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 15/12/2025 18:26

GasPanic · 15/12/2025 16:18

Gas central heating is cheap but is better used to warm the whole house rather than one spot where the person who needs to keep warm is.

Heated blankets I think are the most efficient in terms of keeping people warm and the costs down.

All electric radiators are 100% efficient but tend to be very expensive to run to keep people at high temperatures as they are often situated several feet away.

People seem somewhat obsessed with oil filled radiators but they are no more efficient in terms of thermal output than any other radiator.

I think the advantage of oil filled heaters is when they're switched off they still give off heat for a short while as opposed to fan heaters that when they're off the heat stops straight away.

On the other hand the radiators tend to be for heating a space while a fan heater you'd normally point towards yourself.

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