To wonder about the heating bills for WFH?

[CheetasOnFajitas]

It’s occurred to me, now that colder weather has set in and it looks like those who can do so will be WFH for the next 6 months- the heating bills are going to be through the roof!

Has anyone’s employer acknowledged that home-based employees are going to have to bear this cost? I know for some it will be offset by no commuting costs, but not for all: my husband and I cycle to work normally.

I do acknowledge that I am personally lucky to (a) have a job that can be done from home and (b) have a job at all.

I’m working in the kitchen, that has separate underfloor heating to the rest of the house so I’ll be lucky when it gets colder.
I guess I am spending more in electricity (and heating when it comes to it), but I’ve cancelled the childminder so saving c£300 a month.
I am stocking up on warm slippers and hoodies for the winter though - and I will be wearing my floor length dressing gown going to the cold part of the house!

If I'm home and cold I'll just put the heating on if it costs more than so be it I don't care personally.

I’m quite glad that you don’t work for me.

@MomToTwoBabas

If I'm home and cold I'll just put the heating on if it costs more than so be it I don't care personally.

That’s probably what everyone who can afford to stick their heating on all day will do.

Not everyone can afford that though.

@wizzbangfizz

I think it would be beyond cheeky fuckery to request payment help from work for working if you are WFH

Why?

There are employers who are about to make massive savings.

Big call centre near us has decided to go WFH permanently. Staff are using their own desks/tables and chairs, they are using their home internet (once the pandemic is over the broadband companies will get shirty about that I bet), their own electricity, their heating and the system runs through their home phone lines so anyone who lives with someone who might want to use the landline during the day will have to get a second line installed. All at no expense to the employer.

Sorry but I’m struggling to find my sympathy on this one.

DH was furloughed for 5 months, household expenses increased with a drop in wages. My hours were dropped but I still had the same commuting costs etc. Plus the fun of being retail staff in a pandemic.

I’d bring my thermal vests and swap in a heartbeat OP!

@stovetopespresso yes that’s what I do as a rule. We have the heating on constantly, but at a lower temp than we would have it on if it were heating the house from cold twice as day. I do have it turned to a slightly lower temp at night when we are in bed otherwise it does get a bit stuffy but literally 1-2 degrees and it goes back up about an hour before we generally get up.

If I’m at home and get a bit chilly I would turn it up a couple of degrees for a bit. Obviously I am not going to sit there is shorts and t-shirt and whack up the heating if I get cold, I’ll dress seasonally, wear shoes or slippers and I also put a fleece blanket on my pleather chair as that does make a difference, but I am not wearing a hat and gloves, wrapping myself in blankets or putting my coat on in my own house.

I am interested to know how much difference to the bills people think this will make and what difference it makes in reality, because from experience it’s not much.

I wonder if it’s not the heating so much as the energy efficiency of your home that is the issue if it’s loads. I can imagine in an un-renovated Victorian terrace you would notice a significant difference in energy bills if WFH and keeping warm, but in a new build probably not much if any. Interesting to know if that’s the responsibility of the employer too if you are now WFH? I mean, where would it end?

For me personally I think even with heat off at home it will be warmer than the office in winter which is usually 8 c when I first get there and warms up to a reasonable temp by the time I finish.

That said I have noticed a higher electrical bill since lockdown started.

@Xiaoxiong have you tried fingerless gloves. I find they are ok when typing

I couldn’t stand the heat and stuffiness in our office during the winter ... looking forward to having heating low and a window open personally.

And our electricity bill has reduced .. possibly because I’m around to turn off all the lights that the teens leave on

I am not saving any commuting money working from home as I walk to work and take my own lunch. However I will not compromise on having the heating on. I suffer really badly from the cold and "wearing an extra jumper" will not cut it.

Right now I am sitting next to a radiator, I have a hoodie and a down jacket on, along with huge slippers. The heating is on full blast and my hands and feet are still icy cold.

If it costs me money, so be it. I can't work in the cold.

For those saying 'but you are saving on commuting'

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@garlictwist

Right now I am sitting next to a radiator, I have a hoodie and a down jacket on, along with huge slippers. The heating is on full blast and my hands and feet are still icy cold

Blimey where do you live where it's that cold?

I find it odd that (apart from failing to read the OP properly) so many people are accusing me of whining/moaning/complaining/demanding etc etc. The AIBU itself is not “AIBU to demand that my employer pay my heating bill?” it is “AIBU to wonder if any employers are offering this?” (turns out that yes, some are) and my subsequent posts just state a few extra facts or comment on what other people have said.

There are a lot of people reading in things that are not there and getting themselves into an indignant frenzy but, hey, that’s the Mumsnet way.

sounds like Siberia!

I don't think YABU OP. I hate this race to the bottom and the posts about 'think yourself lucky you've even got a job' are just ridiculous.

I live in an old, poorly insulated house. The boiler is ancient and some of the radiators don't work properly. Even with the heating up full whack it is still a cold house. And before anyone states the obvious, it's not my house and I don't have any ability to change these things. I have Raynaud's and in the winter my hands literally go white and rigid if they get too cold, making it impossible to type. I wear several layers, scarves, fingerless gloves, have a hot water bottle on my lap and a blanket over my knees and I'm still cold! I've just invested in one of those huge fleece hoodies as I am dreading being at home all day every day this winter, but I can't wear that in an online meeting.

My work have just told us that they are unable to make our building covid-compliant and therefore we should not expect to have any access to our offices until next year.

I am saving on not commuting so will suck up the extra expense of heating the house all day but it's not unreasonable to be concerned about this.

Think I'll be working from my warm bed

@SurreyHillsGirl

For those saying 'but you are saving on commuting'

]]

How about those of us saying you are saving time by not commuting ?

Because if peoples time costs nothing, I have a great idea for a business where the staff work for nothing ...

When my last office-based role switched to WFH I gained 2 hours a day - which I would have easily paid £5K a year for (i.e. taken a £5K paycut) as they were precious time with my family.

I guess there are some that would take a £5K paycut to get away from their families

Most of UK seems to have mild winters. Last time I remember a PROPER winter was 2010.

I don't have central heating on during the day. Even with that thermostat in a hallway never shows less than 14 (the house is insulated). I got small electric heater for the office (a box room) and that I turn on if needed. I can highly recommend it. Some low input ones. Don't cost fortune, provide nice bit of heat. Plus I move around during the day so my blood gets pumping.

If you have to be in business dress for online meetings I can strongly recommend Uniqlo Heattech products. They are fantastic for layering for warmth. There is a huge range of styles and colours. Uniqlo also sell a down vest with no collar which can be worn under a suit jacket.

honestly, make the switch to hot water bottles! you'll never ever look back

Most people are glad to be working from home...at least some of the time. Everyone is saving time that was spent travelling, even if just a few minutes and ifte several hours per week.

Covid is costing the nation in all kinds of ways. Firms have faced many costs and so have individuals. Additional

I'm in the same boat OP. I chose to move to a flat within (just about) walking distance of my office a couple of years back to save money. Ha ha. It's electric-only and I'm terrified to turn the heating on because it's so expensive already. Last year I only put it on at weekends, really.

I'm lucky and have the option to work alone in one of our big offices atm, so I might end up doing that if it remains an option. I wonder if an electric blanket could be expensed as a home working essential, like a new monitor or lap tray???