To think 14 degrees is too cold for a home?

[Mrsfrumble]

Especially with two small children in it? I'm about to call the property manager and complain that our heating isn't working properly (had it on non-stop for 3 days and the temperature in the house hasn't risen above 15). I'm not just being a wuss am I?

Df keeps his on 13 degrees. I can tell you it is much too cold, and the first thing I do upon arriving is "accidently" knock the heating up.

It's not good for house or humans

I have it on only for an hour or so at this time of year when it starts to get chilly at about 4pm, but I'm lucky that the house is mid-terrace and well-insulated. I am working at a desk all day and it can get cold in the house when you're not moving around

We had a bit of work done on the house and the fools had left the hearing off so it was about 14. We stayed at in laws for the night. However I've looked at the gro bag guidance since and I'm sure that starts at 14 maybe 15 so you'll be alright. However def worth kicking up a fuss about

My heating is set half way between 12 & 15 so say 13.5. It isn't on right now.

If it gets really cold I may put it up to 17 - 20. I would melt if any hotter than that!

It isn't chilly at all right now though.

God knows what the temperature was in the middle of last night! We folded a double duvet in half on DS's toddler bed and sandwiched him in it, and put a blanket over DD in her grobag and they both still ended up in bed with us (which was actually lively because they're like little snugly hot water bottles).

I meant "lovely" not lively! Although DS is a right fidget...

I'm in the Midwest too and we also have forced air. It actually works really well as the air in the room is heated quickly, although I do miss radiators!

We can definitely tell if ours is working because we can feel the heat coming out of the vents. Last year ours didn't work because there was a problem with the furnace and it wasn't lighting, so the air was coming out the vents but it wasn't being heated. The management company fixed as soon as we asked and showed us how to relight the pilot if it went out again, so hopefully yours will be similar.

Mrsfrumble have you changed the filters in your air con system? We have the same sort of system here and I had no idea that this had to be done until I saw it on TV. Apparently you're supposed to do it every 6 months.

There are 3 intake vents around the house and we put in new filters last week. We haven't needed the heating on yet (Southwest) but I tested it and it seems quicker to heat up.

Heating engineer finally came this evening. Our filter was indeed in a foul state and I had to explain that we're clueless about forced air as that's not how homes are heated where we're from!

The main problem is that the ducts are shot; partially collapsed and full of holes. Although the owners installed a new furnace and thermostat they apparently didn't bother to replace anything else. So now we wait for the engineers to contact the property manager with a quote and the property manager to consult with the owners. Plus the engineers say it will be at least a week before they can get round to doing such extensive repairs....

On the plus side, removing the grotty filter has helped and the house is warmer than it has been all week. And we now know that we were cold last winter because the heating wasn't working properly, not just because we'd chosen historic charm over insulation (according to the engineer the roof is actually very well insulated, I've never been up there myself) so we can be more comfortable this year once the ducts are fixed.

I hope you it gets sorted quickly OP! In the meantime onesies, hot water bottles and cuddles . I saw ABC news a couple of nights ago and the weather looked extreme!

For reference for anyone wondering, Age UK give out a hypothermia thermometer which advises that at 15 degrees it is 'cold' and you should turn your heating up. It gives the ideal range as 18-21 degrees. Obviously some people can cope with cooler temperatures but those are the guidelines.

you it gets

Hope it's sorted quickly.

And might I recommend - from personal experience - that you attempt to get up there when (or before) the engineers are round? As with most house repairs, it doesn't half improve service if you can drop the occasional 'When I last..........' into the conversation.