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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think actually it won't be such a bad thing if people are forced to put a jumper on instead of the heating this winter?

156 replies

create · 21/08/2011 20:00

I know there are certain people who must have the means to keeps warm and unfortunately those are often the ones who least have those means Sad but for the rest of us is it really such a bad thing if a financial squeeze makes us think twice about putting on/turning up the heating?

I find I only ever wear proper winter clothes in my own home because everywhere else (shops/offices/friends' homes) is far too warm. Really wearing a jumper or two is fine.

OP posts:
StayFrosty · 21/08/2011 21:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

timidviper · 21/08/2011 21:48

I live in an older house which would cost an arm and a leg to heat to a high temperature so we are well used to wearing jumpers anyway but I am often stunned when I visit other people at just how hot and stuffy some homes are.

There is a theory that central heating plays a big part in the obesity argument because the body uses a lot of energy in trying to keep warm or cool as needed. Central heating and air-con reduce the need to expend that energy.

Maybe this could be our new weight loss plan, hmmm.......?

AnyFucker · 21/08/2011 21:48

Sue....save up for one, I did

you won't regret it

SuePurblybilt · 21/08/2011 21:48

or even undoubtedly. Which is an actual word.

That'll larn me off watching t'telly box whilst typing.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 21/08/2011 21:53

You do know that in some areas you can swap your tatty electric blanket for a new one at your local fire station?

And if it's not tatty they'll test it so you don't risk death by drip.

happilyconfused · 21/08/2011 21:56

should I get an over or under leccy? On amazon now. I get really cold feet and DH objects to me warming them on him.

AnyFucker · 21/08/2011 22:00

under

ChunkyMonkeyMother · 21/08/2011 22:01

Our heating is so extreme! We put it on and it is like switching on a microwave - We're all boiling in the bag within about half an hour! We realised our thermostat was broken and we were putting it on 27 instead of 17 :-( We thought we had the most economical heating ever but when we got our bill we realised there was a problem ha ha

This year our lovely LLs are planning on getting a new boiler (we actually got them to pay for some of the bills as their nephew had serviced the boiler/heating system in October) so I think that has jolsted them into paying for a nice new one :-)

If I put a jumper on I'd probably combust, I am pretty big and can barely stomach long sleaves in winter never mind a jumper! I get very funny looks when I go Christmas shopping in a vest t-shirt and a small cardi, the shops are just so damned hot I hate it, I used to work in a shop and when all of my colleagues were complaining about the heat I'd be sat there in my capri pants, short sleaved shirt and occasionally flip flops! I do wonder whether they do it on purpose.

So maybe OP, instead of jumpers, we should all just go and sit in a shop from open till close when its properly cold?

BeatRoute · 21/08/2011 22:02

Under!

happilyconfused · 21/08/2011 22:02

dual one - so I can be toasty and he can freeze all he wants? So excited at the thought of actually being in a warm bed.

happilyconfused · 21/08/2011 22:03

homefront premium - £59. A bargain

ImperialBlether · 21/08/2011 22:04

I only spent £20 on my double electric blanket (Tesco.) Dual settings, three levels.

Nothing, nothing nicer than being in bed with an electric blanket on.

Oh and turn it off way before you go to sleep - I couldn't sleep with one on.

MissMarjoribanks · 21/08/2011 22:05

I have asked DH for an electric blanket for my birthday. My old one died in March and there seemed little point in replacing it then, though I was chilly till May.

We had the heating on in July this year. It was fucking freezing and I couldn't get the washing dry.

I will put an extra layer or two on before resorting to the heating in the winter though. Or I could just get pregnant again.

ChippingIn · 21/08/2011 22:06

WinterIsComing - where abouts in the South are you? I'm near Fleet - I still have all the doors & windows open - it's not cold.

No-one should have to put on another jumper if they don't want to - it should be possible to heat the house to a comfortable level without having to get out another mortgage... and as plenty of others have said - that does not help the elderly, the very young or the sick...

fargate · 21/08/2011 22:08

''I know there are certain people who must have the means to keeps warm..............''

I'm not sure that you do know what you are talking about

Those 'certain people' who are identified by the government as being ''vulnerable to cold'' represent the majority of people living in British households (71%) ie the elderly, children, or someone who is disabled or suffering from a long-term illness.

Is this not also the dominant demographic of MN? Rather than ''..........the rest of us ........'' Maybe you are in the minority of households occupied by fit and healthy younger adults only?

This winter 12 million people or 6.4 million British households are likely to be in fuel poverty when the latest price rises hit. Thats scandalous IMO and

''.... wearing a jumper or two is fine'' is a pretty crass response .

Hatesponge · 21/08/2011 22:08

I agree that the elderly, sick, etc shouldn't feel scared of having the heating on. There are stories every winter now about OAPs who have literally died of cold which always make me :(

Having said that I do know a lot of people whose houses are heated almost to Saharan temperatures - one insists on her house always being warm enough to walk around in shorts and vest, even in December!

My house is impossible to keep warm, even if I had the heating on all day you wouldn't notice much difference in the ambient temperature. As a result I don't really bother with the heating (didn't put it on at all til December last year iirc) - we have the fire on in the lounge when it gets really chilly, and layer up. We are in the SE though which I think has some bearing, as temperatures are generally much milder than in other parts of the country.

ChippingIn · 21/08/2011 22:09

MissMajoribanks - you could get pregnant again and if you can't afford the heating the following winter you could sell the children on eBay - especially if subsequent ones are as cute as T - he's just georgous!!

Hatesponge · 21/08/2011 22:10

This thread is tempting me to get an electric blanket. Even though my mum always said they were dangerous and a fire hazard......

QuintessentialShadow · 21/08/2011 22:13

As an aside, you need merino wool base layers to fight the cold.

As you were.

AnyFucker · 21/08/2011 22:14

you won't regret it, HS ...

ChippingIn · 21/08/2011 22:14

I like the house to be comfortable to be in wearing jeans & a long sleeve t-shirt with maybe a thin cardi/jumper - I can't stand wearing bulky clothes. I think it should be affordable to have that - for everyone.

Alibabaandthe80nappies · 21/08/2011 22:19

Chipping Shock you live really near to me!

OP that is smuggery of the worst kind. The fact is that the majority of people who are comfortable financially can take steps to improve their heating efficiency. Cavity wall, new windows, fitting excluders, loft insulation, and can afford to buy the most efficient applicances - be that boilers or kettles.
It is those already struggling financially, who often live in rented accommodation, who are least able to take steps to reduce their bills and keep their homes warmer more cheaply.

maristella · 21/08/2011 22:25

Oh jumpers! I knew I was missing something last winter [hmm

I could not have physically worn any more clothing!

MissMarjoribanks · 21/08/2011 22:28

Chipping - Blush. He is rather lovely, but I would say that. Grin You're welcome to borrow him for a year or so as he has just discovered tantrums. Grin

But the serious note of this thread is absolutely right. Those who can just whack the heating up when it gets chilly are lucky.

Its a sad fact that if you're already poor, things are more expensive. Pre-pay meters, poor standard accommodation which is difficult to heat. LLs who won't cough up to make homes any better. And if your mobility is restricted, it's even worse. I get freezing if I sit still for any length of time.

saladsandwich · 21/08/2011 22:33

im always cold, i have circulation problems and my feet turn blue in the winter and i get awful chilblains, dreading another winter like last year, i was putting £100 on the meter every 4 weeks and it weren't heating the house up and i was doing my best to not have it on all the time xx