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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:
learningtofly · 21/08/2011 22:33

My mum bought me an electric blanket years ago and I rarely used it until we moved to our current house which was usually perishing in the winter. I'm talking fleece wearing cold. People kept their coats on to come to ours. Blanket is a god send.

We had new windows put in this year so hopefully it will be a bit better :)

Tortington · 21/08/2011 22:34

oh god yes

i think we can reduce the economic hardship of many mnay poor people, many mnay elderly people, the people that will die

yes yes fnar fnar lets reduce this down to just putting another jumper on

ChippingIn · 21/08/2011 22:37

Alibaba - why the Shock - I'm not that scary am I?? When I go shopping I'll walk around with my packet of Penguins (did you see that thread?).

MissM - don't tempt me!! (well not unless your photo is about 12 years old - I'm not offering if he's a teenager now!!). Well - it would seem like pregnancy is the answer for you for this winter - go on... don't hang around here Grin

notlettingthefearshow · 21/08/2011 22:41

I'm not fond of overheated houses, but temperature is very individual so you you can't always jump to conclusions that other people must be warm (OK, unless they are actually wearing shorts in December!). In my office I'm always too warm at the moment, feel sweaty and uncomfortable and want the air con on, which of course is as bad for the environment as heating. In my pregnancy, people have been kind enough to put it on so I don't melt (21C is heaven for me), but it means they have to wear jumpers. There is no such thing as one comfortable temperature for everyone, unfortunately.

In the winter, I'm happy to wear 1-2 jumpers, but that's not usually enough in a drafty, high ceilinged Victorian house in the north. It's not much fun wearing socks, fleece, thermals etc in bed, either.

Saving up for double glazing!!!

maighdlin · 21/08/2011 22:49

YABU it is a bad thing when people have to think twice about putting their heating on when its cold outside.

MissMarjoribanks · 21/08/2011 22:50

He's 20mo, Chipping, and currently enjoys chucking himself on the ground and beating his legs on the floor whilst shedding fat tears of woe. Frequently and usually because I won't let him have my wine something. Are you sure?

DH would like me knocked up by the end of September, so that's two of you who think its a good idea. Just me to persuade now. Grin

WinterIsComing · 21/08/2011 22:52

Slightly northerly and to the east, Chipping. But then I was sitting by the open back door at the time. Wearing a t-shirt now Grin

I do think it is a lot to do with what you are used to. DH is from the frozen wastelands Midlands and my in-laws, all of them slender, will go out walking in winter wearing long-sleeved tops and a thin cloth coat while I am in six layers including a horrific puffa-type coat which comes down to my knees.

MadameOvary · 21/08/2011 22:56

For those with cold feet - buy cheapy Ugg boot type slippers + put real sheepskin insoles inside = toasty (but not smelly) feet.

ChippingIn · 21/08/2011 23:00

MissMajori - Yep I'm sure Grin it's a brilliant age!! I tell you what - make another one, be warm this winter and if you decide come spring it was a bad idea I'll take the baby & T - deal?? Grin

WIC - see - you were just giving the South a bad name Grin

Alibabaandthe80nappies · 21/08/2011 23:02

Chipping - no not scary Grin Just surprised because not many MNers seem to live near to here. We are a little way south, so no need to carry a pack of penguins Grin (loved that thread!)

WinterIsComing · 21/08/2011 23:03

I get through three pairs of microwavable slipper boots per year Blush

Arrive home, start toasting boots (1 minute) , turn on heating, remove bra, put on boots then attend to shopping, nappy changes, feeding children etc while feet are warming up blissfully...

ChippingIn · 21/08/2011 23:05

Ppppiiicckkk uppppp a PPPPPPenguin

ChippingIn · 21/08/2011 23:06

You put slippers in the microwave....??

Kladdkaka · 21/08/2011 23:08

Save a thought for those of us forced to endure arctic conditions in Scandinavia. I sleep with hat and gloves on it's so cold :(

WinterIsComing · 21/08/2011 23:08

But they have lavender in them and smell lovely!

MissMarjoribanks · 21/08/2011 23:08

OK, Chipping, we have a deal. Grin

WinterIsComing · 21/08/2011 23:12

I would think it was grim if I used the microwave for cooking food. I can't remember when I last used it at it happens. It holds a bobble-plate / bowl full of phone chargers, leads and well, bobbles though so it is useful.

HipHopOpotomus · 21/08/2011 23:24

The best thing (for me) about living in the uk is central heating!!!! I really love it. I don't go crazy on it and will wear a jumper and I don't have it on on bedroom usually, but having a cosy flat is bliss.

I grew up without it, in drafty uninsulated homes with a heater on in lounge if lucky. Waking with dew on the bed, and living in freezing cold homes is not fun. One of the perks of living in an overcrowded one bed flat in London is we stay warm comparatively cheaply and I'll pay the extra because I can.

But a 20% increase in gas is incredibly bad and I fear for the vulnerable over the winter. Bring cold is no fun at all.

LadyBeagleEyes · 21/08/2011 23:32

I love my electric blanket, I like a cold bedroom and snuggling in my lovely warm bed.
Maybe we should all get slankets instead of putting the heating on, OP.

ChippingIn · 22/08/2011 00:00

WIC - well, that's OK then Grin

Slankets - urgh. I like to be able to move around my home and do stuff - not be so cold I need a blanket to sit down.

brighthair · 22/08/2011 00:40

Last year I had 2 duvets and 2 blankets on my bed and was sleeping in full pjs, dressing gown and socks.
Nothing dries when I washed it, and I don't have a tumble dryer so a load was taking 5 days to dry
I am always fully dressed in house and with dressing gown or slanket over top. Not looking forward to winter!!!

nakedandangry · 22/08/2011 00:40

Op you condescending bastard Grin.

My mum is not poor but refuses to put the heating on for fear of the bills. So yes she watches telly, sits at her computer, all wooled up plus thermal dressing gown. Its fucking freezing! It isn't right.

Desiderata · 22/08/2011 00:46

The answer is to go off direct debit payments, and to pay quarterly, after having quibbled the meter readings, and therefore delaying the process of payment for an unseemly length of time.

There is only one reason why companies want us to pay by DD, and it's not for our benefit.

What would be ultimately sensible is that we ascertain our quarter by quarter meter readings, and then throw the numbers out to any provider who will charge the least for them.

WannaBeMarryPoppins · 22/08/2011 01:24

Desiderata so is Direct Debit actually more expensive? We don't have it since moving but had it in the last flat. I must say I preferred paying a set amount every month instead of getting a huge bill after the winter!

I agree that some people could do with putting a jumper on instead of turning the heating onto full blast. I know some people who turn their heating so high I have to basically strip when entering their flats.

That said though, I don't think this is the case for poorer people. So while some people might be able to reduce their heating bills with more clothing, those are not the people who really need it.

I am in a rental property right now and I have to say I am cold all the time, even now. I live in Scotland and the weather here is more humid, and I think that has a huge effect on me. I prefer it to be -20 degrees outside and crisp instead of wet the whole time. The latter makes me so cold.

I also think it should become compulsory to think about the environment a bit more in the UK and make certain things compulsory. Right now I live with single glazing, I can actually see the curtain moving because it's windy tonight. This will not just mean expensive bills for me but also a lot of energy usage that's an unnecessary strain on the environment. If people wouldn't be forced to live in humid, damp and not-properly isolated houses I think we could reduce those tragic cases of people getting sick and dying.

Does anyone have any advise against the draft coming in by the way? I am moving out after this winter so don't want to invest into heavy curtains but the wind and cold coming in is really bad at times.

I LOVE electric blankets, but if you buy one buy the ones that switch off automatically after half an hour or so. That way if you fall asleep with them you won't burn or drip through your ceiling...

I also have a grain pillow to heat up (already using that now) and grain slippers. You pop them into the microwave and put them on, so nice and warm for ages! Especially nice for when I am sitting at my desk for ages.

lachesis · 22/08/2011 01:54

You are an idiot in addition to be unreasonable. You read too many tabloids, too. You should think black burning shame of yourself as well. Loser.