Keeping warm WFH

Coldwinterahead1 · 2020-08-27T07:20:45+00:00

I’m just doing a bit of forward planning as I’m pretty sure that I’ll be wfh indefinitely now. It’s just dawned on me that my heating bills are going to go up massively if I’m home all day. I’m thinking of getting an Oodie and heating one room with a small oil rad on low. Does anyone have any tips?

JamieLeeCurtains · 27/08/2020 08:25

I think a lot of employers are going to have to start thinking about this aspect of WFH from September. Probably best to raise it now so they can give advice.

UnfinishedSymphon · 27/08/2020 08:26

We pay for gas/electric on monthly direct debit, the amount doesn't go up or down dependant on what season it is, not having the heating on in the summer months balances out the winter months - is that not how it is for you?

fartyface · 27/08/2020 08:28

Heated throw. Game changer :)

SardineJam · 27/08/2020 08:28

I have always WFH twice a week. I do not have the heating on all day in the winter (switches off once the kids have gone to school and switches on at 3pm (off at 7pm). I have a warm fleece jacket that I keep on and I wear a woolly hat, it really helps

fartyface · 27/08/2020 08:29

Unfinished - you do know you pay for what you use don't you? It just gets smoothed over the year. I can't tell if you are joking here.

0blio · 27/08/2020 08:29

@UnfinishedSymphon

We pay for gas/electric on monthly direct debit, the amount doesn't go up or down dependant on what season it is, not having the heating on in the summer months balances out the winter months - is that not how it is for you?

But if you use more gas & electricity the payments will go up!

Hardbackwriter · 27/08/2020 08:29

@UnfinishedSymphon

We pay for gas/electric on monthly direct debit, the amount doesn't go up or down dependant on what season it is, not having the heating on in the summer months balances out the winter months - is that not how it is for you?

Yes but they put the direct debit up if your consumption goes up, it's not an all you can eat buffet!

fartyface · 27/08/2020 08:29

But you can't wear a hat onazoom call. The beauty of the throw is that I pull it on under my desk and noone is the wiser.

PajamasnoDramas · 27/08/2020 08:30

I have also been considering similar increase in heating bills, however I live on south coast and home is reasonably well insulated.
I’m thinking of layering, I have a few Heatech tops from Uniqlo (other fashion retailers are available) I can pop under sweaters and put footless tights on under jeans/leggings and there is an oil filled radiator I may be able to use in work room. I really want to avoid putting CH on during daytime unless it gets below 5 deg.

Original poster

Coldwinterahead1 · 27/08/2020 08:31

I pay quarterly gas and electric, it’s around £200 in winter and 130 in summer. I’m over paying my savings account to cover a possible increase but don’t know how much I should put away?

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Rowanberries · 27/08/2020 08:31

Lidl/Aldi often have plug in heated pads that are brilliant. I have reynauds so am always blooming cold and they make such a difference. Dh was sceptical at first then nicked the one my mother bought me to put his feet on while he's working in our very cold front room. He's not having my back one though.

Original poster

Coldwinterahead1 · 27/08/2020 08:32

Problem is it’s a call centre type job so I’m stuck to the phone and cant move about so I get cold.

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Original poster

Coldwinterahead1 · 27/08/2020 08:33

Anyone got a heated foot muff?

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AlCalavicci · 27/08/2020 08:34

I would invest in hot water bottles either traditional or microwave ones. .
A very small space heater to go under your desk and although I am not a fan of them a onesie may help.

I can not see employers paying heard a your heating bills , it would be impossible to monitor and they could easily argue that you are saving a lot of money on not having to commute and saving time to and as they say time is money

PaperMonster · 27/08/2020 08:34

I do so want an Oodie!

LoeliaPonsonby · 27/08/2020 08:35

Hot water bottle and blanket for lap, and I have a small oil filled radiator under my desk so I don’t need to heat the entire house.

Fatted · 27/08/2020 08:36

Lots of layers! Back when I was a student with temperamental heating, I used to wear a vest, a jumper and a cardigan over the top! Sit in the kitchen while you're cooking. Is there a room that's naturally warmer than the rest? Our kitchen is a bit of a sun trap and warmer than the rest of the house usually because of this.

IIRC, there is some form of tax rebate or something you can apply for while working from home to cover heating etc. An old colleague used to WFH and I'm convinced she mentioned something like this. I will need to look into it because I am now going to be WFH permanently. I hate to say it, but I am in an energy efficient new build that is reasonably toasty in the winter.

Waterdropsdown · 27/08/2020 08:37

The problem is some people’s houses are warmer than others and some people live in the south of England and others the North of Scotland. A jumper might suffice in a new build in the south.
I would think about ways to heat one room. I live in a cold house and no way could I work downstairs in winter. It just doesn’t stay warm enough for just sitting not moving.

weathervane1 · 27/08/2020 08:37

Some employers do pay a small heating allowance for employees using their own home and incurring additional costs - rather like paying towards your home broadband or telephone costs. It will come out of the savings made by not having the heating on full blast in the office.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 27/08/2020 08:37

@UnfinishedSymphon

We pay for gas/electric on monthly direct debit, the amount doesn't go up or down dependant on what season it is, not having the heating on in the summer months balances out the winter months - is that not how it is for you?

But this winter if someone is wfh they may have the heating on during the day, at a time when it wouldn't have been on last winter when they were at their workplace. So they will use more fuel and their direct debit will be recalculated at some point to take account of this.

Original poster

Coldwinterahead1 · 27/08/2020 08:37

I will be saving around 80pcm on petrol so I might use that for gas? God I hate being cold.

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Doccomplaint · 27/08/2020 08:39

Heated throw and small oil filled radiator under the desk so I only heat that one room.

AriettyHomily · 27/08/2020 08:41

I usually wfh part of the way anyway. Even with the heart g on I get cold. Fingerless gloves, slippers and layers are good. I also do something - hoover a room or something just to move around a bit. Sitting in front of a computer for ages does t generate heat!

Malin52 · 27/08/2020 08:41

I've got a Dyson Hot and Cool. The Cool is pathetic but the heater is amazing. I've been in NZ on lockdown over winter and it will heat up my office to 25c in about 5 minutes. Couple of blasts through the rest of the day and I'm done.

It's a bit pricy though so may defeat the purpose.

Yellowbutterfly1 · 27/08/2020 08:42

I might invest in a heated blanket for my DH if he’s still working from home in the winter.

I submit my meter readings monthly and I’ve already seen that we’ve been using £10 a month more in electric then normal since schools closed and DH wfh.