Coping without heating

[Frio]

I’m seriously impressed by the people on the central heating thread who are surviving indoor temperatures of 14-16 Celsius. I really struggle physically and mentally with the cold.

My boiler has fritzed its circuit board and is utterly dead, any tips for managing until I can get it repaired? I have a couple of plug in oil filled radiators, plenty of sweaters and blankets but it’s the psychological impact that is the worst. How do I toughen up?

I can’t do it either. And I don’t necessarily believ the people who say they can. It’s well below what’s recommended for health. I think maybe their thermostat is in a very cold part of the house so where they sit is hotter.
Maybe a heated blanket/throw over your knees? Oodies do it for me.

I'm nowhere near putting my heating on yet! I have fluffy blankets, warm pyjamas and oversized fleecy hoodies, plus a heated throw for when I'm working from home. Oh, and the cat, he keeps my lap toasty 😉

We haven't shut the summer windows yet. It isn't quite heating weather is it?

I think if you have low heating you do genuinely get used to lower temps. I’m not talking no heating at all or those that can’t have heating on. Currently 17 in my house. Have warm socks and a hoody on and my faithful blanket as needed.

I’m not hot but i’m not sat freezing cold either. The heating isn’t on yet but soon will be probably but never constantly and only 18/19. I actually don’t like the stuffiness of central heating when people have it on a lot!

Heated throws are a great idea, thank you.

I don’t know how long until I can get it repaired, realistically could be a few weeks. I’ve run my savings down lately. What an idiot!

Well it was -2 where I was this morning, so that’s heating weather for me

You ask how to 'toughen up' and if you want to do this, I suggest don't stay still for too long. Do odd bits of housework, fetch things from upstairs or the cellar, nip out to the shop. If you sit down, use a blanket or hot water bottle and sip a hot drink.

Yes surely it depends where you live? I’m in the south east but overnight temperatures have plummeted to single digits now.

We don't have central heating. I have 4 kids. We have plug in heaters in bedrooms but don't leave on at night. Then we have a heater in lounge but nothing in hallways or bathroom. We just wear fleece pj's, slippers etc

I completely agree. I don’t think I’m a particularly cold person but just sitting around when it’s 17 degrees isn’t very comfortable.

Having said that we haven’t had the heating on and do have upstairs windows open but I have lit the fire a couple of times, but mainly because it makes me happy.

My house is just 18 at the moment. It’s a draughty Victorian terrace. I’m not sure anyone’s house would be 14 degrees at the moment.

I'm in Suffolk and my house is still saying 22/23 indoors! It can't be cold enough yet to need heaters on in the south?

@unlikelychump

I think that rather depends on where you live!!

& various other 'bits' like your personal thermostat/hormones, house insulation, how many people/pets live in the house...

Thank you, that’s very helpful advice. Maybe it will be the greatest gift ever and I’ll actually declutter the whole house!

Electric blanket for your bed. Wear a bobble hat indoors.

Get one room warm and use that most.

Sympathies, we had one winter without heating for a few weeks and the feeling of dread as you watch temps plummet on the weather forecast is quite dolorous.

Wearing warmer clothes indoors instead of tshirts and shorts for one.

Heated blanket for my feet.

Heating goes on if my nose gets cold cos then it really is cold in the house.

My house is permanently cave like, wonderful in summer but challenging in the winter. The indoor temperature is 16.2.

I also second an oodie type thing. My daughter was given one and didn’t like it, I tried it for fun and couldn’t believe how warm it was. It’s only a Sainsbury’s cheapy too.

Thank you for getting it! I forgot how good hats are. Good thing I can knit and crochet.

Maybe not where you are!

@RareMaker

South of England not South of somewhere warm.

depends how your house is situated, how much sun you're getting, how much wind/rain.

Hardly had the heating on for 2 years. Heated throws are great so are heated gilets. I've got a heated coat as well but it's hard. Sometimes need must though.

Well they can. My brother lives in the Midlands and has no heating on ever. Only heating in the house is a gas fire in the living room he never uses. I have no idea how he copes. I only visit him in the summer as it’s so bloody cold.

I haven’t had the the heating on yet. I never put it in before October and see how far we can get though October without it.

I believe people can manage because I know people who do, they seem to be made of sturdier mental stuff than me.

Cold air - below around 16-18 into your lungs is bad for your health and no heated blankets will fix that