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Original poster

Heating the home bit if a struggle

40 replies

Generalpost · 23/10/2021 19:54

Gas seems to cost such a lot once I put the heating on I'm on a pre-payment meter. I normally don't put it on till late November /early December. But im freezing.

I'm actually wondering if it would be cheaper to use electric oil filled radiators ? Than to put the central heating on ?

OP posts:
Shehasadiamondinthesky · 23/10/2021 19:56

They are quite cheap, I usually shut all the doors and just heat the room I'm in, and have a duvet on the sofa, a hooded blanket top and fleecy leg warmers.

nancybotwinbloom · 23/10/2021 20:05

Have you tried heated blankets? We have a couple they are great

Fallagain · 23/10/2021 20:11

Can you change from a prepayment meter? They tend to me more expensive.

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Original poster
Generalpost · 23/10/2021 20:12

@Fallagain

Can you change from a prepayment meter? They tend to me more expensive.
No sadly can't do that
OP posts:
PaperMonster · 23/10/2021 20:14

All electric here and that’s also expensive.

Daisy829 · 23/10/2021 20:14

Can you buy something like an oodie. They are about £50. I got one last year & was unsure because of the price but they are so so thick & warm

Bythehairywartsonmywitchychin · 23/10/2021 20:16

If you’re worried about bills, perhaps try one of those over sized hoodies with a hot water bottle or a throw/blanket and hot water bottle. And just have the heating on for an hour first thing and an hour or so on an evening.

mineofuselessinformation · 23/10/2021 20:24

OP, if you're thinking about going down the Oodie route, look at Amazon for swimming ponchos.
I got one for £25 and they're very warm (so much so that I can't wear it in my menopausal state)!

DroopyClematis · 23/10/2021 20:26

I bought my mum a plug in radiator from Robert Dyas . It costs very little to run and she doesn't need it on for very long before the room is toasty.
When I was looking for one, there were loads that used up very little electricity.

Amazon and Argos had loads.

Original poster
Generalpost · 23/10/2021 20:28

@Bythehairywartsonmywitchychin

If you’re worried about bills, perhaps try one of those over sized hoodies with a hot water bottle or a throw/blanket and hot water bottle. And just have the heating on for an hour first thing and an hour or so on an evening.
We cab use blankets etc a bit . But the kids don't really want ti sure wrapped up on a sofa. They want to play etc so I need to keep the actual room warm. Also at the back of my house down stairs at the back of my house I have the bathroom and utility area plus hall way and there's no double glazing even with the heating on full its always cold. Which means I'm just throwing money away . But its boiling up stairs so I thought it might be cheaper to Heat each room with an oil radiator instead 🤔
OP posts:
PearDropKid · 23/10/2021 20:29

The problem with advice to wear an oodie or a blanket etc etc is that it won't work. You need to heat the air around you to feel properly warm

Ozberry · 23/10/2021 20:31

Do you own the house or is it rented? If you are able to Id look at making it more energy efficient. I recently had a green homes grant for a new boiler and underfloor insulation and it’s made all the difference

Original poster
Generalpost · 23/10/2021 20:39

@Ozberry

Do you own the house or is it rented? If you are able to Id look at making it more energy efficient. I recently had a green homes grant for a new boiler and underfloor insulation and it’s made all the difference
It's temporary accommodation. So I can't really do much.
OP posts:
Monsterpumpkins · 23/10/2021 20:39

My dc get into a onesie after school.
And fleecy socks..

beigebrownblue · 23/10/2021 20:40

On the subject of grants.
Check if you are eligible for a Warm Front grant.
140 pounds payable in March if you are on a low income and/or certain benefits.

Need to apply soon as it is first come first served.

Original poster
Generalpost · 23/10/2021 20:40

@Monsterpumpkins

My dc get into a onesie after school. And fleecy socks..
That's a good idea never thought of that.
OP posts:
Attictroll · 23/10/2021 20:40

Hot water bottles saved us last year especially wfh

Mossstitch · 23/10/2021 20:46

Oiled filled radiators are good and cheap to run, I've got three of various sizes, I'd say go for a bigger one as can easily turn it down. My tiny 500w one doesn't do much other than warm your feet but the bigger ones definitely warm a room up quite quickly.

Babybellblue · 23/10/2021 20:47

Electric blankets for the bed are pennies to have on for an hour before bed.
.

Babybellblue · 23/10/2021 20:48

Cost pennies sorry

Original poster
Generalpost · 23/10/2021 21:01

@PearDropKid

The problem with advice to wear an oodie or a blanket etc etc is that it won't work. You need to heat the air around you to feel properly warm
I do feel like it would be better to Heat the actual room.
OP posts:
Bigeggsinapackoften · 23/10/2021 21:12

I’d hear the room with an electric radiator if you can.

Can you get heavy curtains for the colder rooms?

Bigeggsinapackoften · 23/10/2021 21:14

If upstairs is roasting can you swap a bedroom with the living room and have your living room upstairs?

25yearsnhsworker · 23/10/2021 21:18

On the non double glazed windows you could stick some bubble wrap to them for some inslutaion. Or cheap curtains from IKEA over draughts.

Ozberry · 23/10/2021 21:18

Before I insulated my home I tended to just heat the room I was using, rather than having the heating on.
I found an oil filled radiator quite efficient.
I was on a meter many years ago that ticked in the corner of the room, and I remember feeling like the credit was draining with every tick. Anything to make it tick a bit slower….