Should I put the heating on?

[Aurea]

I'm sitting here cold while I WFH.

It's 16.9 0C inside ( north of Scotland) and I'm wearing jeans, socks and slippers, a long sleeved top, a thin jumper and a padded body warmer.

So my question is: I am justified in putting the heating on or should I just suck it up? WWUD?

Of course you put the heating on if you're cold and you can afford to do so. Why wouldn't you? No one's going to give you a medal for freezing to death.

Definitely put the heating on. You can't work optimally if you are cold.

My house isn't 'allowed' to dip below 19.

So I would put the heating on in your case, yes.

I swear Mumsnet is like another planet sometimes. I've never known anyone to get competitive about when they put their heating on or hold out for some specific date no matter how cold they are, yet it seems to be remarkably common on here.

I am in the west of Scotland and also WFH, I am determined to try and not put on the heating through the day and am currently looking into ways to help with this, one thing was a heated blanket but I don't know the expense to run this? It is currently sunny but yesterday was cold and I had on thick socks,a throw over my knees and 2 jumpers on and coped well.

So any ideas to get through the winter WFH without putting the heating on too much would be welcome

Put the heating on!
I did for an hour yesterday evening - the difference between 16.5 and 18 was amazing!

I'm wfh too and trying to hold of. I will be in and out of the house from 2.30pm onwards until about 7pm with school run and activities so don't see the point. I have a hot water bottle between my legs

We don't control our own heat and I was freezing yesterday - electric blanket at my desk and spread over the duvet at night saves my bacon until our heat is grudgingly switched on. The expense of the electric blanket is pennies compared to gas heating as you can have it on for an hour but the fleece heats up and stays warm for far longer than it is drawing power. Mine is 150W and costs something like 1.5p an hour to keep running.

I was very cold this morning in front of my laptop but went for a 30 min vigorous walk in my lunch break - now I'm toasty warm (It will last about an hour and I'll be cold again soon...)

We just leave the thermostat at 18C and ready to go all year. That's its job, after all.
Usually I'd ask why would anyone not do the same, but this year is going to be expensive for winter heat...

(Ready to go at 18C daytime, 13C nighttime, rather)

If you are cold put it on! That’s what it’s there for

I WFH and have a small, oil filled electric heater for the daytime. It is cheap as chips and much better than heating the whole house. I haven't needed the central heating on yet - it's a bit nippy but I'm running round the house and doing stuff morning and evening- but in the daytime when I sit still in front of a PC I really do appreciate some warmth

Why would you wait for some arbitrary date or be freezing in your own home? (Unless finance dictates that).

I think it’s only in this country that people sit freezing under blankets saying ‘put another jumper on it’s fine!’

Scandinavian countries really know how to their homes. It’s awful being cold.

UPDATE

The heating is not on but I am now too hot!!! 😂

I have just been for a brisk 30 min walk, and returned to the sun appearing and the room temperature has gone up to 17.3 0C (with the sun coming in through the window).

Our gas/electric bill is astronomical at £244 a month so I'm trying to cut back this winter. It's hard though when our old stone house is constantly cold.

Thanks for your tips. A hot water bottle sounds like a great idea. I did contemplate putting on my cosy fleece dressing gown with a hot water bottle strapped to my stomach!!!!

@PeonyTime

Put the heating on! I did for an hour yesterday evening - the difference between 16.5 and 18 was amazing!

I agree that this is the point at which even a degree or so makes a difference. I have ours set to 18 during the day and 14 overnight, and have been grateful the last few days when it’s clicked on in the morning!

I know that energy prices are increasing, and understand that quite often people must cut back somewhat this Winter.

However, if you can afford it, then competitive coldness and refusal to turn on heat even when shivering is just ridiculous.

For those feeling the pinch a heated throw costs pennies to run, well worth the initial outlay. An electric blanket in bed is just so comforting and warm, again pennies to run. There are ways to circumvent the puritanism folks! Once you are cold it is often impossible to get warm without some residual heat from some source, martyrdom should not on the menu.

I'm having the same dilemma.
I hate spending on utilities because it feels so unpredictable - unless you have a smart meter, it's not like you can just decide to spend £X amount and be in control of that. Last year my electricity and gas provider made a mistake with my billing that meant I suddenly ended up owing them over £300.

Holding off for now in hopes of saving a bit with prices going up...

Yes if you're uncomfortable and there isn't a free and easy way to be warmer.

No if you're sitting in shorts and t-shirt and no socks (teenage son will click the heating on to save going upstairs to put sensible clothing on ).

It needs testing. I put mine on last Monday for an hour and discovered that it only heats the radiators or the hot water, not both, so test yours now, while it isn't yet essential.

Currently waiting for the engineer

I can't imagine anyone in a country with a similar climate to ours, Netherlands, Belgium etc, having this conversation, albeit, we do have some of the worst-insulated houses in Europe. It is not a lack of moral fibre for not wanting to be cold and uncomfortable in your home.

If you're cold put the heating on. Simples.

Swap your jeans for heat holders leggings, they are brilliant!

Also fill a hot water bottle from the left over water when you make a hot drink. Makes a massive difference.

Or just put the heating on. Who wants to be in multiple layers with hats and gloves and water bottles under heated throws. In their own homes! Other countries must think we’re mad. You can do all that and it’s still unpleasant as the air is cold.

It is a waste of electricity to boil a kettle with more water than you need...
I hate being cold but I am trying to hold off like so many because of the soaring prices of gas and electric.
I have a large living room that takes forever to warm up when the radiators are on. I have an open fire, but to run it all day would cost a fortune.
I go to bed early, make a bottle and watch tv up there. If it is really cold I do heat the room which actually warms up quickly. I live on my own now so I can please myself. Thinking about buying an electric blanket but I have a foam mattress and think I may overheat.

oh definitely! I find anything below 18 is too cold when you're sitting still working. Mine is set to come on at 18 during the day and 20 morning and evening. It's not kicked in today but it did yesterday afternoon.