Planning for a colder winter at home.

[Florencenotflo]

Like a lot of people, we're not going to be able to have the heating on as much this winter. What should I be buying now to make it as comfortable as possible? More for our 2 DD's (6 and 3). I don't have much extra money but I can buy things gradually over the next couple of months.

So far I have on my list:
Fleecy onesies to go over pyjamas
Warmer/thermal socks
Hot water bottle each

I'm thinking of killing 2 birds with one stone and putting a heated airer in their rooms. MIL has just given me her old one so I have 2 now, they might just take the chill off. I'm still going to need to dry clothes.

I wfh so I'm planning on asking a couple of family members to club together for my Christmas present and get me a heated throw. I already have fluffy slippers from last year.

Is there anything else I could do to make it easier/comfier?

Thermal base layers.

Things like wrist warmers, neck warmers are quite useful.

Vests. Basically lots of layers.

@sittingonacornflake I'm looking for some base layers for me. I wondered if long pyjamas (that the kids already have) with a onesie over the top would be ok? Although they aren't technically thermal, would they do a similar job?

I have no children, just me in the house. I have ordered sheepskin slippers, I have blankets/electric throw for the sofa. I use an air fryer to cut down on the oven.

I have had new windows put in (planned anyway and nothing to do with COL) I've insulated as much as I can.

I do have a log burner, so at least one room is warm. I'm just praying for a mild winter.

The tumble dryer and the new rads I put in this year are just dust magnets as I can't afford to use. I'm washing darks on cold. Everything is switched off at the wall (but I did that anyway.) I've switched to soap rather than gel as it's cheaper and I feel cleaner.

And I plan to be out of the house as much as possible, even if it's just a brisk walk.

I really worry about people with kids, elderly, disabled etc. It's worrying times.

You’ll definitely feel the benefit of thermal or wool base layers, I’ve just got some thermal vests off vinted, so you don’t need to pay loads for them.
for your DDs, look in the boys clothing sections, annoyingly boys clothes tend to be thicker and warmer than the girly equivalent 😡 (M&S I’m looking at you!)

I’m going to spend some time going through all of our wardrobes and storage to find and wash all of our blankets. I have lots of fleecy pjs, slipper boots and an oodie but I’ll go to Primark and get new fleecy pjs and slippers for DS. He won’t be happy about wearing slippers and he likes to have bare feet but never mind. He has an oodie bit DH would never wear one. DS and I have hot water bottles so I’ll get another for DH as he kept trying to “share” mine last winter.

We definitely need to think of a way to dry clothes. Does a heated airer work well?

Aldi usually have skiing base layers for children super cheap in about November.

I’ll also have a look at what warm outdoor clothing we have and I’ve already bought DS a new coat so at least we can get out for a walk to try and warm ourselves up.

I’ve already started using my air fryer more than my oven but I’ll also make some soups and stews to freeze so they only need to be reheated.

@CheeseMaiden I've noticed that. Dd wanted tracksuit bottoms last year and the boys ones seemed nicer/thicker.

I'll definitely look at getting some thermal vests etc then.

@lobsterkiller all good suggestions. I've started thinking a lot more about how I use electricity now. I think we thought we were using as little as possible before, but when we looked at it, we really weren't.

The other thing I need to weigh up, is it cheaper to drive to my office (14 mile round trip) or spend money on keeping myself warm at home. Work is obviously heated and they now provide tea bags and milk 🤣

@LadyCatStark I love my heated airer. It's meant to be very cheap to run, it's not quick, but if you don't overload it, then it dries a load in around 6-8 hours. Longer for things like towels. The added bonus is it heats the room it's in too.

Can anyone recommend a heated airer?

I've just been reading a thread about them on here @Cosycover I'll try and find the link.

@Cosycover mine is from Lakeland, heard they have a sale on atm, but not sure of that though

Where are you getting heated throws from? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/4606706-where-are-you-getting-heated-throws-from

They need to wear two pairs of socks - one fleecy - but even better is to add slippers when walking around.
Buy fleece tops - quick to dry.
Invest in thermals for all of you.
Brushed cotton sheets for their beds, and throws/fleeces - cheap from B&M etc while it’s summer.

Most important thing is to ensure your windows close properly and external doors have no drafts. You can buy film to put on windows that is meant to help.

I grew up when many people didn't have heating upstairs, central heating was only for the more wealthy - exh grew up in a council house with only one fire, in the living room. We coped fine actually but you simply sit under a blanket

I]Get a hot water bottle and put it in the bed, where their body will be, 30 minutes or so before they go to bed. When they get in they slide it down to their feet.

People need to check the energy ratings of their appliances and think about the type of energy they’re using. An air fryer uses the same amount of electricity as an oven, so don’t go using it with impunity thinking you’re saving money. Definitely don’t turn off gas heating and use electric heating appliances instead - gas is super cheap compared to electric!

Things that won’t help: sitting in the dark (light bulbs use very little power), turning off phones and laptops (also use very little power), washing up by hand (an efficient dishwasher with a full load is cheaper than running several sinks of hot water).

Things that will help: Turn off the tv and watch an iPad because it uses significantly less electric, don’t use the tumble dryer, turn down the heating, only boil the water you need, avoid using the oven and choose dishes that can be cooked quickly on the hob. If you have a gas hob you’re onto a winner.

I just bought a £40 heated throw from Amazon. Tried it out last week in the heatwave! Works well.

I have the Lakeland drier. It stays in our bedroom to add heat.

Children all have hot water bottles.

I have sheepskin slippers and wool jumpers.

Candles. Mentally they make me feel warm.

We never go below 17 degrees anyway, this year we’re going to try 16. 😮

Won't a heated airer drying clothes in a room with cold walls cause damp and mould? This is one of my biggest worries for the winter. I can cope with cold but damp and mould are another thing.

Yes. Not good for your health.

Wouldn't use thermals for bed, my dd tends to get to hot, but we had a big stash of them for going to the park in over winter, got us out the house and moving about.
Hot water bottles are a must imo, don't mind the room being cold long as cosy.
Try real wool hats and socks I've found much warmer. I've also worn hats to bed when lived in a cold flat.
Wouldn't dry washing in bedrooms as would be worried about dampness?

@Shortjanet and @KangarooKenny I've been using it for 5 years in our spare room with no issues so far? Even in our old house, which was an old (freezing) Victorian terrace, no mould. I think if the rooms are well ventilated and the airer isn't shoved in a cramped corner, it should be fine.

Watching with interest.

I have an electric heater, I'll keep the heating off and use that in the room where we are sitting/ playing and try to keep the heating off. Im fact I've already set it only to come on if it goes below 16.

Guess it's all trial and error, but I'll second the blankets idea now. Lots of cheap fleecy blankets in Asda etc which are probably worth buying now.

We run a dehumidifier alongside our heated airer (in an otherwise unused room) and there is a LOT of water in it each time. I wouldn’t be rushing to put it in a bedroom, tbh.

I wouldn't be putting wet washing to dry in childrens bedrooms, it will make the air overnight damp as well as cold then.

A couple of tips - You can sew cheap fleece blankets into the back of your curtains to make them keep in the heat better, also better if curtains are floor length. You can also get clear film to put on windows if they are not double glazed. We dry clothes on racks inside with a dehumidifier running, it hasnt noticeably upped our power bill.

Don't underestimate a real wool blanket or throw, if you can get hold of one or hint for a present. TK maxx often have some good ones.