Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - heating for guests

388 replies

ifonly4 · 27/12/2017 19:15

Went to BIL's for Boxing Day and the house was freezing. They asked if we were warm enough, DH said he was a bit cold so they said they'd put the heating on low. We had our lunch in conservatory and in afternoon we noticed that we could see everyone's breath in the lounge. I then spotted a temperature gauge, 14c. AIBU, but this was far too cold for guests? Have to admit we tend to have temperature around 19c when we have guests.

I don't think it's got anything to do with money. We invited them here but BIL's wife loves entertaining and insisted we go to them. Food was lovely two choices, veggies, salad, bread and two pudds to choose from (better than what I'd have offered in all fairness), so it's not as if they'd invited us under pressure.

OP posts:
Delatron · 28/12/2017 20:24

Sorry Fuzzy. That's fair enough...

goingslightlycrazy · 28/12/2017 20:31

May I just point out that I do not set my thermostat to 9 degrees (it is actually at 18 degrees if I ever put the heating on)...it is the THERMOMETER that says 9 degrees.

Wtaf? It’s 9 degrees then!

We have babysat many times for my b&sil who never have heating on for guests (or leave snacks/drinks & only begin to get ready to once we arrive & always get home get home 0130-0330). CFs.
We stopped agreeing to sit/go over there. It’s so cold it’s uncomfortable and frankly, embarrassing (I used to bring blankets & refreshments)

I can’t imagine treating guests/babysitters in this wayBiscuit

DIngdongmerryilyonhigh · 28/12/2017 20:34

I had the opposite! I have temp at home set on 20 atm, it rarely dips below 18 as very well insulated flat. We went to in laws and they had temp set to 28!! It was so hot and stuffy I ended up with a stinking headache for two days.

wildchild554 · 28/12/2017 20:35

its a bit cold but unfortunately alot of people can't afford to put it on. If they have money worries they may not tell you alot of people feel too embarrassed to admit it or admit they can't afford heating etc.

FuzzyCustard · 28/12/2017 20:36

Ah well going, if you read upthread as to why we don't have the hearting on, perhaps you'd understand a bit better. Can't speak for your BIL though.

HermioneAndTheSniffle · 28/12/2017 20:44

This is the first that I ver ever seen so many people on a thread saying they love their house well above 20oC.

At least now, I don’t feel as much of a freak.

Our house is over 20oC (variable depending on the wood burner and outside temperature).
When I go to my parents and the temperature goes to 18C I’m cold.

Originalfoogirl · 28/12/2017 20:44

Well, there's something wrong with the house then fuzzy because new builds have to adhere to strict regs! Has it got proper cavity wall insulation??

Our house is 4 years old and is frequently bloody freezing. The regs only go as far as drawings, any other issue is difficult to prove - as we have found out.

FuzzyCustard · 28/12/2017 20:46

And a house that has the heating on once or twice a day is going to be warmer and retain that heat more than a house that is never heated.

Mrsmadevans · 28/12/2017 20:49

They say cavity wall insulation can cause a lot of problems .... damp in the cavity or some such like

stickytoffeevodka · 28/12/2017 20:51

I love how some folk assume that popping the heating on for a few hours is affordable.

Gas is expensive and thousands of families have to choose between heat and food. We never have the heating on because we have a wood burner that keeps downstairs warm and we like the bedrooms cold, plus it costs a bloody fortune!

If people want to moan, they're more than happy to pay our gas bill - then is be more than happy to have the heating on!

stickytoffeevodka · 28/12/2017 20:51

*more than welcome to pay our gas bill.

MikeUniformMike · 28/12/2017 20:57

Yes, and it is December. Why did you turn up in a coat and t-shirt and expect to be warm in my house when you took your coat off.

kaytee87 · 28/12/2017 21:01

May I just point out that I do not set my thermostat to 9 degrees (it is actually at 18 degrees if I ever put the heating on)...it is the THERMOMETER that says 9 degrees

Your house is 9 degrees??! That's beyond cold! I'm surprised you're not all ill.

Delatron · 28/12/2017 21:01

How much do you think it costs to put the heating on for a few hours? Not being goady, genuinely trying to get my head around the costs.

My gas/electric bill is £280 this month. So heating is probably a huge part of that. Heating on every day so even if it was all that, that's £9 for the day. So about £1 an hour? Or am I way off with my calculations?

MikeUniformMike · 28/12/2017 21:03

A lot of people can't afford £280 a month. Especially at Christmas.

Delatron · 28/12/2017 21:04

I know! I'm asking about a couple of hours per month. What that's would cost?

Rudgie47 · 28/12/2017 21:04

I think if you cant afford to put the heating on or are not prepared to then dont have guests over until summer time. Its unfair to expect guests to be frozen and have to sit in coats and under blankets etc.
I once went to a friends house and it was bitter inside and my leg went dead it was that cold. I might as well have been sat outside. I had to go home and stand in front of the fire until the colour and feeling came back into it.

Delatron · 28/12/2017 21:05

What would that cost. Obviously £280 is high. That's heating on every day at a good 22 degrees (not overnight)

StrawBasket · 28/12/2017 21:05

it is the THERMOMETER that says 9 degrees

blimey, even my garage is warmer than that! (South East London)

kaytee87 · 28/12/2017 21:05

delatron it depends on how big your house is, how well insulated and how efficient your heating system is.

We have a large 4 bedroom, 3 reception home that is not well insulated due to loft conversion. Our gas & electricity is £78 on average per month and we keep our home at an average of 18/19 degrees.

£280 is crazy money.

Chattymummyhere · 28/12/2017 21:05

When my heating goes on my smart meter thingy says it’s using like 26p an hour gas.

Chattymummyhere · 28/12/2017 21:07

My Just gas bill isn’t £55.64 a month keeping a three bed in the 20’s the electric bill is insanely high though. It costs more according to the smart meter thingy to run my shower per hour than my heating.

Delatron · 28/12/2017 21:07

It is very high. We have underfloor heating and I can't bear to be cold. It's an old house (detached Victorian) so probably inefficient too.

kaytee87 · 28/12/2017 21:07

blimey, even my garage is warmer than that! (South East London)

I know, even at its coldest with no heating on, my drafty house in Scotland hasn't gone below 12 degrees and it felt freezing at that temperature.

Delatron · 28/12/2017 21:08

But that's my point. It must cost, what £1 to put the heating on for guests for a couple of hours? Ask them to bring the biscuits.

Swipe left for the next trending thread