Heating overnight instead of during the day or evening

[tulips27]

For context I'm in an exceptionally cold house: no central heating and single-glazed windows.

Although the advice is to heat during the day and evening and then let temperatures drop overnight for sleeping, I'm finding that I can cope better by having the freezing cold in the house during the day and evening, and then to run an electric heater overnight to be warm when asleep.

That's kind of opposite to what they say but since starting that a few days ago I feel less "generally ill" from the cold and much better, even though it's hard to go out from the cosy bedroom into the icy house ion the morning! 😃

Anyone else do it the same way round as me?
And why am I finding this better against the prevailing advice?

When I say less "generally ill" I mean my lungs don't feel congested and vaguely painful, no phlegm, no headache, more energy.

It will probably be cheaper and more energy efficient to run an electric blanket and just heat the bed overnoight, rather than heating the room.

Yes but I can't because my head and face were freezing and making me ill. The house is so cold inside you can see your breath. I think it's hard for people with central heating to imagine.

Put a hat on. Fleece blanket over you under the duvet is much warmer. Homes never used to have heating other than an open fire in the living room and a boiler in the kitchen it doesn't make you ill most find heating at night makes them more congested

Well I'd like to see most people on Mumsnet try and live like I am now, I suspect most couldn't.

The implication that I just need to wear a hat is a bit patronising. I bet your houses are masses warmer than mine.

Temperatures are at their very lowest overnight usually. You are in the sort of house I grew up in as a child so I do know what it’s like to be in that sort of house and it’s miserable.

I would get hold of blankets and curtains and pin them to the ceiling if possible and make it a bit like four poster bed curtains. Or do something so you make it like a little tent over your bed. This really bad cold is supposed to ease off next week thankfully.

I wasn't asking for heating tips, people that have taken to doling out this advice unsolicited are becoming really boring these days.

Don't you think everyone knows your "tips" already? We all know to buy a heated blanket, to do this, that or the other already.

I just wanted to talk about the question that I posted, not to hear more tips.

The whole situation sounds shit.
Do what you need to do.

I think it would be good to do it for a while and to track the actual cost. But also I would consider that this may be a fire risk. But as others have said, this deep cold will ease up soon.

Do what suits you then. What other people do is totally irrelevant.

If it works for you, do it.

I don’t have mine on overnight as I can manage with blankets and a hot water bottle. I get too warm when I sleep anyway.

Do what makes you comfortable and what you can afford.

This is what we do. It gets coldest overnight so we have heaters to prevent the min temperature falling too much. Don't need so much heating during the day, we just wear extra layers and move around. I do sometimes turn the heaters on in the daytime, but often just having not got so freezing overnight keeps the chill off in the day and the heat from people moving around, devices being on etc is enough heat.

It's not a fire risk if you're sensible and place the heater away from flammable items!

If it works for you then do it. During the day you’re probably more active and so can keep more warm.

My house is currently 8.5 degrees. I understand where you're coming from but I generally find I'm warm at night if I use my electric blanket (I put it on an hour before bed so I'm not getting into an icy bed). It's generally on for about 3 hours per night. I also take up a hot water bottle. On a particularly cold night I take up 2 hot water bottles, 1 to cuddle and 1 for my feet. 99% of the time I'm warm within about 10 minutes of being in bed and can sleep then. I'm blinkin freezing in the day time though.

If that’s what works best for you then go for it, doesn’t matter what anyone else does especially as their living circumstances are likely different. A lot can be gained from getting good sleep so if that’s what makes your life better just do it.

Is the issue the cold air on your lungs? I get that sometimes, it triggers my asthma.

Interesting about the heater. You could try a dehumidifier as well to reduce the moisture, it may help with lungs.

Definitely keep a fire alarm nearby

No I'm telling you what I do most heat is lost through your head so hats help stop hypothermia. Don't assume your the only one who can't heat their homes. At least you have one

Trust your body OP. You feel better by breathing in warmer, drier air overnight, so stick to that plan. In the day we can move around and drink tea to stay warm. Good sleep is essential to good health.

Sorry for my outburst everyone, I don't know what came over me.

I get jealous of people with central heating and it's not a good thing; I mean real jealousy that makes you bitter, not a mild feeling of envy.

Why not start with please just say yes or no further comments are not required.....then nobody would waste their time trying to help.

@BertieBotts Yes, this is how I feel.

It's miserable being cold at night and having to just lie there miserable. I have my heating on low overnight (turn all non-bedroom radiators off) and I sleep much better. I used to be a heating off person until I realised the air was so cold it hurt my lungs, no matter how bundled up I was in bed - not all homes stay at an acceptable temperature overnight.

Do whatever makes sense for you.

You're coming across as very rude. You say you're in an incredibly cold house and people are worried and trying to help, to be met with this.

If running it overnight works for you, great. I don't spend time in my bedroom during the day and I sleep fine once I'm under the duvet which keeps me warm so it wouldn't make sense for me to do this.