I'm just so sad about the cost of heating.

[Moojoo]

I'm disabled and have raynauds so really feel it.
I have children and am on a low income/disability.

It's getting so cold and I've still not put the heating on at all because I'm trying to save it for when we really need it but the kids have said they're cold a few times and I've had to just tell them to watch a film in bed and put an extra layer on.

It's just so unaffordable

I wish I could just put it on and leave it on all day :(

It seems so unfair that gas companies are making such huge profits whilst people sit in the cold.

https://applyforleap.org.uk/
Have a look at this website. Fuel supplier recommend my friend to contact them. Person came round and they've been given a bunch of freebies - including heated throw and an efficient dehumidifier. She's living in a cold house, not the best health and was struggling to pay her bills.

I bought a dehumidifier last year to help with condensation on my bifolds and to help dry clothes , and I found that it makes the room a bit warmer by taking out the damp air and we used quite a bit less gas and were generally more comfortable . I just hope we have a mild winter .

280 seems very high for only occasional use. We have a 4 bed house and it’s 140 a month.

How energy efficient is your home? Is there any government grants that could make your home more efficient? Loft installation/ wall insulation? Windows? Is there any areas in your house that you feel the cold coming in?

I feel for you OP. I see you're with Utility Warehouse. They can seem reasonable but what they offer is often miss-sold to people due to using a pyramid type model and all the unethical possibilities that brings. I wonder if you're paying over the odds?

One of the things that made a big difference for me was this

Get a curtain pole fitted on the inside of the front & back doors to your property & hang a long, thick curtain or blanket.
This helps to stop cold air draughts.

It may be worth checking if you're eligible for grants. If you're on certain benefits or have disabilities you could get insulation - I have friends who've been entitled to ground source heat pumps and all the insulation that entails, and solar panels.

Heated throw
One of these (there's a few on Amazon) makes a huge difference

amzn.eu/d/fYLaB81

Heated throws are amazing and you can snuggle up in the evening!

I'm also disabled/with Raynaud's but I have heated throws and a heated foot mat. House is around 15-16 at the moment and I'm fine.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-to-heat

It's a 4 bed, 3 storey house and old, most of the double glazing windows are blown and the windows are massive.

Some good ideas on the thread, am looking into the heated blankets, I think they could really help at night. Though I'm usually OK at night, it's more trying to move around in the day which wouldn't be easy with the blanket!

You can get battery powered ones that you wear like a shawl, but I'd tend to think you'd be fine taking it off to cook, for example. Its sitting in one place that gets you cold.

This won’t help much but it’s probably your house - as you’ve said it’s old and the double glazing not great.

Can you get any help with insulation/windows ?

My gas bill is about £170 per quarter in winter because I’m in a new build terrace.

I'm trying to get the landlord to fix them but it's a slow process. Started in March!

Maybe just put the heating on for a couple of hours in the morning and again when the kids get home from school. That's what we tend to do. If it's just me & dh here during the day we tend not to have it on, unless it's ridiculously cold outside!!
Also could the kids have their evening bath or shower as soon as they get home from school? It might warm them up.
I'm not sure how you feel about visiting a food bank? You could then use that money towards the heating bill?

Utility Warehouse are awful! I switched to Scottish Power and saved quite a bit! Enough to pay for a heated throw which is absolutely heaven

I have fibromyalgia and find the heated throw really saves putting the heating on as much and helps with pain.

Are they?
I don't know if I can deal with a switch
What if it goes up even more?

What kind of house do you live in? Mine’s £148 for a detached 4 bed. Could you look into insulation grants?

We’re with next eon

Trouble with heating the person not the room is that you're still breathing cold air which is rubbish for some people. It's all wrong that in 21st century Britain people are going cold while companies make lots of money. In terms of the practicalities though we find warm food really helps where possible. Traditional comfort type food that really sticks to your ribs. And draught reduction.

3 storey mid terrace

How old is the house? I’m sure you could reduce the cost.

also, hot water bottles to take the chill off your body. Look after yourself op.

You will have units / usage and bills from Utility Warehouse which you can input on another suppliers website and find out if it’s cheaper or not. What about USwitch?

£280 is a lot.

Any old trousers kicking about? Chop off a leg. Stuff it with tights, old socks, rags, anything you can find and use them as draft excluders. tie up the ends with elastic bands / hair bands

It sounds very high. I'm in a two bed mid terrace and pay £80 month gas and electricity with octopus (I fixed before 1st October). I'm never cold and put the heating on at some point every day from October through to march. I don't mean that to sound like I'm gloating but merely to suggest that it sounds like your house is the culprit. Is it private rental? If the landlord refuses to do anything would you consider moving to a better property. Appreciate it is an upheaval but long-term those bills will cripple you.

Apart from that look to insulate wherever you can so windows, draft excluders etc.

Have a look here and see if any organisations could help you out. Don't be afraid to ask for help. My charity (very geographically specific) struggles to get enough applications for grants from eligible people.

grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/