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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is it now the norm not to.switch heatimg on / choose between heatimg amd eating?

108 replies

neesbees · 26/02/2022 22:20

Not on any benefits .
Retitired public sector. Both work.part time to top up pension .

Food prices up., petrol.etc.
A friend came to our house unexpextedly today. ( wealthy , doesnt work) I could tell she was cold and rushed to put heating on for her.
(. I wear dressing gown all.day over clothes so keep warm)
Felt mortified that she was cold in my house.
It caused me ponder.. we just cant afford the heating on much now unless we have guests for.their comfort.
As posr grad level ex.profs in public service role for 30 years we never expected to be making such.choices and often helped people in our jobs who did..and it made me wonder if how we now live is the norm now for average in the middle folk..?
Ie we make choices between heat or eat.. only put heating on when guests arrive etc..

OP posts:

IdentifyingAsAPrincess · 26/02/2022 22:28

I don't put mine on much either and never when my Son is not here. I wouldn't expect my friend to have a warm house if they are not expecting me. People who have their heating on most days I think it would be morning and evening rather than all day.

Original poster

neesbees · 26/02/2022 22:30

Thanks . When I go to theirs its always cosy and i felt rude

OP posts:

BulletTrain · 26/02/2022 22:30

The enormous part of our bills is the electricity, not the gas - so I don't think so. We can afford higher bills but that requires us both to work and an emergency savings fund.

It entirely depends on your circumstances though. Did you have a mortgaged house now paid off? Do you rent? Are you in Ealing or Middlesbrough? Are you having to run 2 cars to both work PT? And so on.

Porcupineintherough · 26/02/2022 22:31

For most people it hadnt come to that. I think it is - and has always been - normal to be sparing with the central heating, put on jumpers, just heat 1 room etc.

DiddyHeck · 26/02/2022 22:34

@Porcupineintherough

For most people it hadnt come to that. I think it is - and has always been - normal to be sparing with the central heating, put on jumpers, just heat 1 room etc.

I agree. I think we've all got used to really warm houses over the years. I grew up in a house with no central heating or double glazing and we never thought twice about wrapping up warm in the winter and taking hot water bottles to bed.

betwixtlives · 26/02/2022 22:36

I always have my heating on when guests visit but rarely when it’s just me home (unless it’s REALLY cold and even then it doesn’t stay on for long)

TheSnowyOwl · 26/02/2022 22:36

I don’t think it is the norm but I can see how it could soon become so for many people.

alltheapples · 26/02/2022 22:40

I do not think it is the norm.
I am amazed at some of the high-temperature levels people on here talk about of 22 or 23 degrees.

BearOfEasttown · 26/02/2022 22:41

No.

Viviennemary · 26/02/2022 22:42

I have no idea what you spend your money on. I like to be warm.

Creameggs223 · 26/02/2022 22:43

I set mine for 2 hours in morning for dc getting up for school them from 3 till 6 after 6 dc get in there fluffy pj's with dressing gowns on aswell and thankfully never complain there cold.

Luredbyapomegranate · 26/02/2022 22:48

I think a lot of people have got used to having very hot houses. But apart from people struggling with bills (which is grim) it’s bad for the planet so I think jumpers and only heating one room during the day will be more common. And better insulation.

I don’t see how you friend could have thought you rude if she arrived unexpectedly?

From how you describe your career and current PT jobs I’m a bit surprised you are really struggling though. Do you have other big outgoings?

Original poster

neesbees · 26/02/2022 22:51

Yes , we are supporting our ds as much as possible during his post grad, plus we live in a very expensive area ( prices inflated due to location.. hoilday place )

OP posts:

Original poster

neesbees · 26/02/2022 22:52

It is probably a combinationnof the above, increased cost of living , plus heating issue..

OP posts:

Hellocatshome · 26/02/2022 22:53

We choose both eating and heating but are racking up massive debts by doing so.

chubbachub · 26/02/2022 22:55

We do similar to @Creameggs223 but really thinking about cutting even this usage down. Our bill has doubles despite usage not changing.

PriamFarrl · 26/02/2022 22:55

@Porcupineintherough

For most people it hadnt come to that. I think it is - and has always been - normal to be sparing with the central heating, put on jumpers, just heat 1 room etc.

I don’t agree. Look at threads from a few years ago and you’ll see countless people saying that they would freeze if the thermostat was at less that 23.

NotEnoughCheese · 26/02/2022 22:56

I'm on oil heating. It was £230 to buy 500litres in November. I've tried to put an order in today and it's £430 for 500litres.
I underestimated how much oil we had left. I can't afford £430. So we're going cold

Original poster

neesbees · 26/02/2022 22:56

Sorry to hear about the dept. That i cant do . So its my choice to choose to be dept free amd cold . If i was warm but in dept id be warm bit worried .😀

OP posts:

TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo · 26/02/2022 22:57

We are putting heating on for 2 hours in the morning before we get up and then an hour before bed.

I WFH and everyone else is at work/college/school. I get cosy in a fluffy dressing gown m, thick socks, boot style slippers and a blanket over my knee. If it's mega cold I have a plug in heater which will just heat the room I'm working in as no point using central heating to heat the entire house when it's just me here!

Cherryblossoms85 · 26/02/2022 22:59

Our standard of living has been gradually slipping for 15 years. Just takes a while to notice. My house is usually about 15 degrees because I don't like it hot, so I also put it on just for visitors. The electricity is nuts though.

LifeIsBusy · 26/02/2022 23:02

I'm on coal heating... I used to think it was the stone age but it hasn't been effected by the rises like everyone else.

BertieQueen · 26/02/2022 23:02

We very rarely have the heating on. Last time we had it on was 3 weeks ago when I was poorly with covid and freezing i put it on for 1 hour. We wear thick layers indoors and have those oodies- primark version.
We could not afford to have it on for hours every day.

Mrsmch123 · 26/02/2022 23:03

I set my thermostat to 22 and it clicks on and off to keep at this. I also wear a housecoat if it's chillier outside. I can't stand being cold!

JaceLancs · 26/02/2022 23:04

I have heating on for 1 hour in morning and 4 during the evening
Radiators turned off in unused rooms and low in bedrooms
Thermostat on 17
Currently paying £80 a month for gas and electric combined - expecting it to go up to at least £120
Might reduce to 2-3 hours in an evening and turn down to 16 to see if that helps
We are used to layering, using blankets etc

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