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Original poster

Anyone else using candles to take the edge off no heating??

69 replies

PermanentTemporary · 15/10/2022 19:27

Im not a scented candle woman but I've been given a few over the years. I've currently got 5 burning in the room... it's a bit warmer 😬

I know it's much worse for me and the environment than putting the heating on but still...

OP posts:
glasshole · 15/10/2022 19:37

Candles always make things feel cosier, regardless of if they actually heat up the room or not. They make you FEEL warmer and cosy. I've got loads of the things and love them 😁. Have you seen the candle powered plant pot heaters? I found instructions online and made my own. I'll attach a photo. I tasted it up a bit with paint markers. To my surprise it actually gets far too hot to touch and actually does work with five standard tea lights. I can see why they used them in greenhouses to prevent frost. Is not going to get your room to 20c, but it certainly won't hurt.

Anyone else using candles to take the edge off no heating??
HirplesWithHaggis · 15/10/2022 19:39

Flowerpot tea lights heater

Pixiedust1234 · 15/10/2022 19:40

Just going to throw a warning in here. Make sure your room is well ventilated as the fumes can be damaging to health, particularly pets. There was a big thing about it a couple of years ago.

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Original poster
PermanentTemporary · 15/10/2022 19:44

Thank you both! It's not really a long term strategy and I want to keep plain candles for light in case of blackouts this winter. But the clay pot heater looks great, thank you!

OP posts:
InternetRandom · 15/10/2022 19:54

I've gone for fleecy blankets instead and they are working well. One off cost.

Original poster
PermanentTemporary · 15/10/2022 19:56

I've got those too!

OP posts:
Holly30d · 15/10/2022 20:00

I am about to make a tea light stove, like yours, I want to decorate the pot too, so very useful to see yours.

I am just wanting to clarify, do candles cause the fumes or the pots or what ? I was thinking of using the "stove" to take the edge off any cold and put off turning on the heating.

Interested to hear any other tips ?

(I want to find some curtain liners that would be insulating, but don't find anything suitable. Can anyone recommend anything?)

TheHouseonHauntedHill · 15/10/2022 20:07

Electric blankets and hot water bottle

Tonysopranosghost · 15/10/2022 20:13

I used to do this years ago in my first flat. The place was a damp ridden dump and the radiators made clanging sounds. Plus they barely took the chill out of the air.

Multiple layers and a sleeping bag for watching tv. There was no fire but i did have a fireplace. Used to cover it in tealights. Very cosy and they gave off a decent amount of heat.

I never thought 20 years later I'd be thinking of doing the same thing.

Original poster
PermanentTemporary · 15/10/2022 21:09

Candles give off smoke which is toxic.

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 15/10/2022 21:43

@Holly30d - try dunelm. Blackouts are also insulating but they do just thermal as well.

Rowthe · 15/10/2022 21:45

Candles give off air pollution.

They are really bad for you and scented ones are even worse

I avoid using any type of candles if possible

virginrivieras · 15/10/2022 21:48

Consider insulation? no heating needed here (south east).

ThatshallotBaby · 15/10/2022 21:52

Soy candles are fine!

Holly30d · 15/10/2022 21:54

Thanks for all your replies, that's sad about candles - they are a bit of magic somehow. Nothing nice is good for us!!

I will check out Dunelm - I have looked there before, they all are very polyester, I fancied something natural, but I guess that would be very expensive.

Thanks again. Stay warm everyone !

parietal · 15/10/2022 21:58

Instead on dunelm, look up recycled wool blankets- about £25 and warm and eco friendly

DancingLedgend · 15/10/2022 21:59

Heated throw- incredibly cheap to run.
V cosy.
Zero fire risk.

Candles are lovely, but please, don’t ever leave the room and leave them burning: we were made homeless by a house fire started by a single tea-light.
Homeless is worse than worrying about bills. Trust me.

dementedma · 15/10/2022 22:00

We have heated throws but use candles a lot. Always have done. They make the place cosy

stairgates · 15/10/2022 22:19

The plant pot things can explode due to the vapor so be careful and never put more than 1 in the pot base.

GrazingSheep · 15/10/2022 22:21

To my surprise it actually gets far too hot to touch and actually does work with five standard tea lights.

5????

DinosApple · 15/10/2022 22:27

We have a spare single duvet with a teddy bear fleece cover.

It lives downstairs on the sofa these days.

We don't do candles much but do have a fire.

Sh05 · 15/10/2022 23:01

If you can get cheap fleecy blankets and line your curtains with them they're really effective at keeping the cold out and heat in.
I've lined the bedroom curtains with old blankets. I hand stitched it so they'll be easy to remove come summer time.

NCforthis864 · 15/10/2022 23:04

HirplesWithHaggis · 15/10/2022 19:39

I can’t see why a pot makes any difference from just the candles on their own. There is no increase in energy beyond the 5 candles?

Brigante9 · 15/10/2022 23:10

ThatshallotBaby · 15/10/2022 21:52

Soy candles are fine!

Soy is really not good for the environment.

j712adrian · 15/10/2022 23:41

I've had a large IKEA candle jar for three years that I burn altar candles by Price in.

I don't think it is warmer, but it definitely makes you think it's more cosy and seem warmer.