Heating the home bit if a struggle

[Generalpost]

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 ?

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.

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

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

@Fallagain

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

No sadly can't do that

All electric here and that’s also expensive.

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

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.

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)!

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.

@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 🤔

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

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

@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.

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

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.

@Monsterpumpkins

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

That's a good idea never thought of that.

Hot water bottles saved us last year especially wfh

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.

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

Cost pennies sorry

@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.

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

Can you get heavy curtains for the colder rooms?

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

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

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….