Why would you not want a heated blanket?

Swanfairydust · 2021-12-02T00:38:08+00:00

I live with another person and they have been working from home all day. The heating has been turned up to 23/25 degrees (I can see from the app). I didn’t think it was partially cold today - between 8-10 degrees but I have been told my spare room can get cold. The thermometer is usually kept in her room but it was in the living room for a few weeks (she was away, didn’t want it kept in her room). As the radiators were turned down low the temperature didn’t increase in the living room and as a result her bedroom radiator has been on full power all day (there is no tmv). I have told her to put the thermostat back in her room (third time of asking, so this time it was outside her room and told h

WorraLiberty · 02/12/2021 00:43

My heating stays on around 20

I can't imagine the practicalities of working whilst draped in a blanket but having said that, 23/25 would be far too high for me.

However, it'd be just right for my DH who feels the cold more.

Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 00:44

… please ignore ‘ outside her room and told h’, pressed create too quickly.

^
I have told her to put the thermostat back in her room (third time of asking) so this time it was left outside her room.

The thermostat is reading 21 degrees and the heating has been of for three hours. It’s OUTSIDE her room, behind a door, on the floor…. How hot is it in her room ffs!

Anyway I also purchased her a heated blanket (I love them) and she said she purchased one yesterday. Well I know that’s not true as she came home from work early and was home all night. I also went into her room today, no blanket.

Why lie about the blanket?!?

She’s offered to pay more for the bills so I really need to discuss that with her - is that fair?

I can go majority of the time without heating… maybe because it’s my money paying the bills.

Would it be fair to look into other options like a heated seat cover/throw? Would they help.

The power bills are so high…. When my tattoo ends in April it looks like they will be doubled. Don’t want to lose a good housemate/lodger but also her room must be about 28 degrees!

OP posts:

Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 00:45

@WorraLiberty

My heating stays on around 20

I can't imagine the practicalities of working whilst draped in a blanket but having said that, 23/25 would be far too high for me.

However, it'd be just right for my DH who feels the cold more.

How much are your bills? I’m already looking at £130 and that’s based on last years prices….

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Snugglybuggly · 02/12/2021 00:47

It's a cold night... heating needs to be on

Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 00:51

@Snugglybuggly

It's a cold night... heating needs to be on

Heated blanket?

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SnoopsCaliforniaRoll · 02/12/2021 00:52

I suspect she told/lied to you about buying the heated blanket to get you off her back and stop your nagging momentarily.

SnoopsCaliforniaRoll · 02/12/2021 00:54

Can I ask, what is the relationship between you? I assume live-in landlord and lodger, because it seems a bit brutal that someone who lives in the home doesn't get a say in the heating etc, just because they do not pay the heating bill. Is there any way to share the bill?

Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 00:54

@SnoopsCaliforniaRoll

I suspect she told/lied to you about buying the heated blanket to get you off her back and stop your nagging momentarily.

I’ve purchased one for her… as a good will gesture/for the cold. So is that seen as bad? I don’t get it, it’s much easier to keep warm at night with a heated blanket and much cheaper.

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HeddaGarbled · 02/12/2021 00:55

I can go majority of the time without heating

That’s not normal and not a reasonable expectation of your housemate/lodger.

She’s offered to pay more for the bills so I really need to discuss that with her

Yes. Stop dicking about with where the thermostat is and heated blankets and all that nonsense. She has a right to live in a warm home. Let her pay to be warm.

SnoopsCaliforniaRoll · 02/12/2021 00:55

Some people just don't want to use a heated blanket or have that much direct heat. My DM would hate a heated blanket because it would feel too hot/direct (plus she is a little nervous of the safety aspect of having an electric blanket on. I love them though).

MintJulia · 02/12/2021 00:56

23-28 is very high. Is she someone who refuses to dress for winter?

I wouldn't want a heated blanket but I wear a sweater & socks. She sounds self-indulgent. I'd ask her to pay an extra £10 a week in heating or look for another house mate.

CiaoForDiNiaoSaur · 02/12/2021 00:57

A heated blanket is only warm if you are under it though. It's hard to work when your hands are cold. It feels even colder if you have to get out from under the blanket, if you need the loo for example.

And I say that as someone who's thermostat is only on about 17 degrees and sits with a non heated blanket on my lap. A heated blanket would be too warm for me.

IJoinedJustForThisThread · 02/12/2021 00:57

I don’t have central heating so I use electric panel heaters on timers - my electricity bill is £163pm for a one bedroom house!

Your lodger/flatmate would hate it at my house. Temperature is currently 15 degrees, which is fairly normal.

I wear a jumper (at least one) in the house and sometimes an Oodie (well actually it’s a Kudd.ly not an Oodie - I bought it as someone on MN recommended it!). At night I wear pyjamas and bed socks and swear by an electric blanket.

Lovelydovey · 02/12/2021 00:58

Can you change her contract to get her to pay more if she is working from home? Say that the contract she has is based on her being out the majority of days, and working from home makes it more expensive to heat the house.

If not, I’d be tempted to give notice and find a new lodger who works outside of the house.

Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 00:59

@SnoopsCaliforniaRoll

Can I ask, what is the relationship between you? I assume live-in landlord and lodger, because it seems a bit brutal that someone who lives in the home doesn't get a say in the heating etc, just because they do not pay the heating bill. Is there any way to share the bill?

They do get a say, they have access to the heating control so can turn it on and off as they please. They also have free access to the temp in their room, as well as being able to turn on heating in rooms they want to be in. Her lifestyle means she gets home 7 or so, doesn’t cook and either watches Tv or goes to her room.

I also have a similar life, so I can’t justify heating rooms we aren’t in. My radiators don’t take long to heat up the room. I removed the tmv so the room could be warmer. She was also wearing shirts and t shirt on Sunday.

So yes I don’t want to be a heating nazi but also my bills are looking at £180 even if I’m somewhat frugal with my usage (we aren’t home workers).

I just don’t know where to draw the line.

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WarmthAndDepth · 02/12/2021 01:00

Meh. When I was wfh during the school closure last Jan-March, I just put a thick cardigan on and a pair of slippers. 8h approximately in front of the screen every day remote teaching, marking, planning and setting new work and heating staying at a comfortable 18C. No need for cranking it up like your friend is; especially if she's burning fossil fuels to achieve it.

Pepperama · 02/12/2021 01:01

I would want to be comfortable at home, and that includes having the heating on in the winter so it’s at least 20 degrees during the day and 16/17 at night. Anything less and I’m cold, especially when I’m working or reading, so sitting still. Take a bit more money if you must to help with bills.

Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 01:01

@Lovelydovey

Can you change her contract to get her to pay more if she is working from home? Say that the contract she has is based on her being out the majority of days, and working from home makes it more expensive to heat the house.

If not, I’d be tempted to give notice and find a new lodger who works outside of the house.

She’s offered to pay more and hasn’t been working from home for many days over the past 6 months, prob a handful…. But if it does become more perm she will have to pay more.

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Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 01:04

@Pepperama

I would want to be comfortable at home, and that includes having the heating on in the winter so it’s at least 20 degrees during the day and 16/17 at night. Anything less and I’m cold, especially when I’m working or reading, so sitting still. Take a bit more money if you must to help with bills.

It’s currently 21.9 degrees on the thermometer…. The thermometer is outside her bedroom on a box…. I aim for 21 during the day and 16 at night.

If I knew what was the most economical way to heat the house I would try and aim for that.

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Flaxmeadow · 02/12/2021 01:04

I get the heating thing, way too warm.

Never understood people keeping it on overnight either. I don't know anyone who does that.

But having said that, why are you going in her room uninvited?

I also went into her room today, no blanket

Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 01:06

@IJoinedJustForThisThread

I don’t have central heating so I use electric panel heaters on timers - my electricity bill is £163pm for a one bedroom house!

Your lodger/flatmate would hate it at my house. Temperature is currently 15 degrees, which is fairly normal.

I wear a jumper (at least one) in the house and sometimes an Oodie (well actually it’s a Kudd.ly not an Oodie - I bought it as someone on MN recommended it!). At night I wear pyjamas and bed socks and swear by an electric blanket.

Omg why so expensive.

That’s why I bought her an electric blanket, it’s instant heat. I use it at night time, turn it on whilst I’m brushing my teeth (via an app) and when I get to bed it’s warm. I have the heating to come on at 16.

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Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 01:08

@Flaxmeadow

I get the heating thing, way too warm.

Never understood people keeping it on overnight either. I don't know anyone who does that.

But having said that, why are you going in her room uninvited?

I also went into her room today, no blanket

Because I wanted to see how hot her room was…. And it’s my house, so if I want to go into the room, I will. I want to prevent a huge bill as well, which is why im the heating nazi.

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Original poster

Swanfairydust · 02/12/2021 01:10

@MintJulia

23-28 is very high. Is she someone who refuses to dress for winter?

I wouldn't want a heated blanket but I wear a sweater & socks. She sounds self-indulgent. I'd ask her to pay an extra £10 a week in heating or look for another house mate.

Wearing shorts and t shirt the other day…. so yes that’s part of the problem. Yes maybe I should… is £10 reasonable?

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Flaxmeadow · 02/12/2021 01:11

Sorry but that is an invasion of privacy. Whether someone is renting the room or is a guest

Yes it's your house but still

SnoopsCaliforniaRoll · 02/12/2021 01:12

OP you say - "Because I wanted to see how hot her room was…. And it’s my house, so if I want to go into the room, I will. I want to prevent a huge bill as well, which is why im the heating nazi."

This is mega creepy by the way. Do you regularly go into their room to check on other things? Is she aware that you do this and have they agreed eg via the tenancy agreement?