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?

Last winter it was only on for a few hours a day, in the evening. Now one of works exclusively from home it's going to be a challenge, will probably aim for a couple hours in the morning, an hour late afternoon and then if needed an hour in the evening. But even that might be too expensive...its tough.

I like a super warm house, so this winter will be a challenge. Some houses are warmer than others - ours is just cold despite being mid-terrace. And working from home will make it more difficult - never have heating on at night though.

We typically had the heat in for about an hour in the morning and a 2-3 hours in the evening. Then boosted in the day when needed.

We're not aiming for that this winter. In fact, I'm hoping to get away with an hour in the morning. An hour in the evening and little to no boosts.

I find a lot of these threads about spending money counter intuitive. If you're going to spend £100s on new things it isn't really saving money.

@Whatsmynameagainplease I agree to a point, as long as some of these things are going to be used instead of, instead of alongside or forgotten about in a few months then all good.

Up the thread I said I've had new windows (not to do with COL) but my old windows had drafts and hopefully better windows will save money with not losing so much heat. I switched to air fryer due to living on my own and makes more sense even outside of the current circumstances.

I am a tight bugger anyway so anyway to save I'm up for it. 😂

Airfryer vs. oven being the same is wrong - my oven is 3kw, my airfryer 1.3 - and I don't need to pre-heat the airfryer, so it's obviously cheaper.

I have definitely become more aware of how much things cost to run and how things could be cheaper. For example the kettle - I’m thinking of getting rid of it and getting a hot water dispenser instead - so spending about £80 on one and then also getting Warmies (that you microwave) rather than using a full kettle for hot water bottle for 3 DC - which has to be a crazy expensive way to keep them warm!

Are people just not planning on putting their heating on all winter?

We'd get damp instead - we had it on some morning and bit in evenings - though last year kids were coming home very cold from school windows open all day - and if the seating plan put them by the window for a double lesson wasn't much fun for them.

Plus it's frequently wet here - so everyone can come in soaking so heating and drying often needs to be out on.

I think we hoping to have it on less and see if we can retain as much heat as possible but does depend on the price increases - we may have to do with a lot less heating.

@GorgeousLadyofWrestling Isn't a hot water dispenser (plug in type) just a kettle with a tap on it? I don't see how it will save you money.

Boiling a full kettle is about 0.2 kWh or maybe 10p.

@NotMeNoNo i think because it only boils a cup’s worth and does it very quickly, it’s much more efficient. I read about them on another energy saving thread.

How cold are people expecting to be? Some of the suggestions here are really extreme, (I'm looking at you sewing duvets to the curtains), I feel the cold but don't use the heating much as I find it uncomfortable after a while. I wear an Oodie and it's enough to keep me warm.

I'm still a bit sceptical! It's the same amount of energy to boil the same amount of water regardless of which appliance, more or less. I guess they are more convenient than measuring.

It's a good point about those heat up teddies though, and those wheat bags, they are great.

What if you don't have a utility room, or you have a small kitchen?

These socks are brilliant for keeping your feet warm & surprisingly don't make them sweat. Found them on eBay.

People have different bodh temperatures, different metabolisms. People live in different homes, e.g. well-insulated new build or mid-terrace, versus detached and draughty older house.
I wear an oodie and still feel freezing.

@Whatsmynameagainplease I get what you mean. I could probably spend £600 on 'stuff' to help us keep warm. But putting the heating on for an extra 2 hours a day may cost £500 more total (not actual figures I know) and we'd be just as/if not more comfortable.

I was looking for simple/cheap ideas I hadn't thought about. So it seems thermal base layers are worth the money. I'd already looked at warmer pj's and hot water bottles for the kids. And ideas for me while k WFH, I'd never heard of wrist warmers or thought about fingerless gloves. So I've got a good couple of ideas to look at!

Wouldn't they be a fire hazard? If they're cheap, they have that polyester filling which is very combustible.

this comment was about duvets. How are they any more of a fire hazard at the window rather than on the bed? Besides all modern fabrics sold in shops have to comply with fire safety standards.