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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Window open at night and it’s freezing

266 replies

crumble82 · 11/02/2021 22:32

My DP doesn’t like to be hot at night, fair enough. But it’s -8°c outside and he has the window open, our bedroom is like an igloo. We still have the thin duvet on our bed so he doesn’t get hot, I have a blanket and a hot water bottle but I just don’t sleep well in a freezing bedroom.
So AIBU - it’s healthier to have the window open at night
Or AINBU - it’s winter!

OP posts:
unmarkedbythat · 12/02/2021 15:38

And the idea of wrapping myself in a thick duvet and then complaining about being too hot and opening the window to -8C and upsetting my partner in the process rather than just not using a duvet... that's really difficult to understand.

Isn't it? I would think someone bonkers (and selfish) if they were under a duvet and insisting a window be opened to make the room cold rather than just getting their arse out from under the duvet!

JayAlfredPrufrock · 12/02/2021 16:00

I like to breathe fresh air rather than stale.

And I like to listen to the owls and foxes at night, and the dawn chorus.

SomewhereInbetween1 · 12/02/2021 16:46

I'm really surprised at the amount of people who sleep with a window open! I have a storage heater and a heated mattress cover! 😂

Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 18:00

@Octane

I don't think it's too difficult to understand that some people like to feel cozy/snug rather than hot and stuffy

It is quite difficult to understand for someone from a hot country where duvets are almost never used. I use a sheet, and if I get hot, I throw the sheet off. I feel quite cosy in my bed still!

And the idea of wrapping myself in a thick duvet and then complaining about being too hot and opening the window to -8C and upsetting my partner in the process rather than just not using a duvet... that's really difficult to understand.

Fair enough. I'm in the UK. I don't think I'd be sleeping with a duvet if I were in a hot country. I don't sleep with any covers when the UK has a heatwave which is anything above 26 degrees (lol)
Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 18:04

Isn't it? I would think someone bonkers (and selfish) if they were under a duvet and insisting a window be opened to make the room cold rather than just getting their arse out from under the duvet!

It really isn't that difficult to understand that people enjoy having a breeze/fresh air whilst they sleep. Really not difficult at all. Probably better for you too! I doubt anybody is sleeping with their windows wide open when the weather is this cold either. Having your window slightly ajar doesn't make the entire room cold imo.

unmarkedbythat · 12/02/2021 18:10

@Smallgoon

Isn't it? I would think someone bonkers (and selfish) if they were under a duvet and insisting a window be opened to make the room cold rather than just getting their arse out from under the duvet!

It really isn't that difficult to understand that people enjoy having a breeze/fresh air whilst they sleep. Really not difficult at all. Probably better for you too! I doubt anybody is sleeping with their windows wide open when the weather is this cold either. Having your window slightly ajar doesn't make the entire room cold imo.

IMO having the window open at all when it is minus eight degrees centigrade does, indeed, make the entire room cold.

People are talking in this thread about individuals who insist on sleeping under a duvet and having the window open because they are hot. Not because they want fresh air (although I wonder about people whose houses become full of stale air if a window isn't open at all times... what are they doing that the air in their house is unpleasantly stale without a constant breeze?) but because they are hot. Which is what I rather clearly stated I found bonkers. It really isn't that difficult to read what has actually been written and respond to that :)

sleepyhead · 12/02/2021 18:17

I have our window open a crack as otherwise we get terrible condensation and black mould.

I have to work in that room during the day so prefer to have the window open at night and shut during the day.

Its easier to wear layers/thicker duvet and stay warm than it is to cool down so I think you need to look at ways of making yourself cosy in bed.

NewYearNewTwatName · 12/02/2021 18:41

although I wonder about people whose houses become full of stale air if a window isn't open at all times... what are they doing that the air in their house is unpleasantly stale without a constant breeze?

stale is the wrong word, stuffy is what I would use.

I don't need fresh air all day, but if I feel like the house is stuffy, with heating on then I will open all the windows in the house and air the house for 10 to 15 mins then close them again.

I don't know if it has anything to to with it but I spend most of my time outside with work and looking after my horse, so I'm use to fresh cold air, I love coming home to a warm cosy house. But maybe I pick up on stuffyness more because I'm use to fresh air.

Out of interest what temperatures are your houses? On a night our heating will kick in if it goes below 15, but even with the window open a crack on really cold nights it rarely does.

during the day it set just above 20.

Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 18:51

@unmarkedbythat My windows are closed during the day. I would find it too cold if they weren't closed... given that I'm not wrapped in a duvet! I also tend to have the heating on in the mornings, a little during the day, and then a little in the evening. It's not really a case of having 'stale' air but more the case that I don't want to feel stuffy, which I don't tend to feel during the day, and that I enjoy the feeling of fresh air when I sleep, all snug in my warm duvet!

WeatherwaxOn · 12/02/2021 18:56

I have the window open by a hairs breadth to let in some fresh air. But I also have the heating on, a thick duvet and brushed cotton sheets.
If I don't have fresh air I have a horrible headache and blocked sinuses. If I am cold I can't sleep!

Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 18:59

IMO having the window open at all when it is minus eight degrees centigrade does, indeed, make the entire room cold.

Not my experience at all. I've also been quite surprised by how warm my room feels in the mornings, despite it being as cold outside as it is, and despite the fact that i don't have a timer set for my heating.

Smallgoon · 12/02/2021 19:08

People are talking in this thread about individuals who insist on sleeping under a duvet and having the window open because they are hot. Not because they want fresh air (although I wonder about people whose houses become full of stale air if a window isn't open at all times... what are they doing that the air in their house is unpleasantly stale without a constant breeze?) but because they are hot. Which is what I rather clearly stated I found bonkers. It really isn't that difficult to read what has actually been written and respond to that

Do they not go hand in hand? I thought the rationale for having a window open was obvious. Surely if people only wanted the window open because they're hot, they'd just switch a fan on... Smile

JayAlfredPrufrock · 12/02/2021 19:23

Our thermostat is set at 18. But stupidly is in the South facing lounge which gets warm even in winter sun.

I have never known the heating click on in the night.

nocoolnamesleft · 12/02/2021 19:26

Every time he nicks your duvet, wake him up. It is fucking selfish to insist on the window being open in freezing weather, and then nick the duvet.

MiddlesexGirl · 12/02/2021 19:42

I'd be in a different room. On the sofa if needs be.

SusannaSpider · 12/02/2021 19:57

I have our window open a crack as otherwise we get terrible condensation and black mould.

We had terrible black mould in our bedroom due to DH refusing to heat it and having the window open all the time (and not just a crack either). I cleaned it all up over summer and we are heating the room now and window open every other night and the mould hasn't returned. I suspect all these stuffy airless houses are either modern or very well insulated and probably quite warm too.

WingClipped · 12/02/2021 19:57

@Chutneywashisname I already said what his compromise could be, no ice involved but well done for the lols Grin

OP is happy being uncomfortable until it gets warmer around June though so no one need think of any solutions anyway

Wannabegreenfingers · 12/02/2021 20:16

I don't understand windows open when it's utterly freezing. There is nothing more miserable then a cold house.

Honeyroar · 12/02/2021 20:22

@Wannabegreenfingers

I don't understand windows open when it's utterly freezing. There is nothing more miserable then a cold house.
You will when you hit the menopause!
ElizaLaLa · 12/02/2021 20:31

@crumble82

I like the idea of same duvet but different togs on each side, might have to look into that. I wouldn’t mind so much if I was allowed a thick duvet but he also like to roll himself up in ours so I have no covers in our freezing room.
I don't understand why you don't get your own additional duvet then.
Porridgeoat · 12/02/2021 20:36

Get yourself an electric blanket x

Slub · 12/02/2021 21:16

Sorry but YABU - I still have the summer 4 tog duvet on the bed and have the window open and still get too hot. DH gets all the duvet cos I throw it all on top of him Grin

MargaretThursday · 12/02/2021 21:16

I have 3 duvets and a blanket currently. Dh has one thin duvet
.

romiandromi · 12/02/2021 21:46

@LimitIsUp you need a silk pillowcase. It never ever gets hot and feels comfortable all the time.

LimitIsUp · 12/02/2021 23:39

Thank you RomiandRomi - I'll try one

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