How to keep warm this winter-please share your tips

[AlternativelyWired]

I'm not sure about oodies-are they good or are they too heavy and/or too warm?
We have gas central heating, crap double glazing with those vent things that let in a draught. I'm in a rented house so I can't do anything about the windows. I've bought thermal curtains for the draughty patio door and front door. I close all the doors to keep heat in rooms. Lights get switched off. I've bought a ninja foodi to reduce the use of the oven.

What else can I do? Please share your tips.

Oodie ! Thermal socks ! Hot water bottle !

Do your best to block any gaps in windows

Last year we got an electric throw - fab for in the evening sitting under watching TV and then into bed with hot water bottle. Only have the heating on for a bit in the morning for when we get out of bed!

I didn't know electric throws exist but I do have an electric blanket for my sofa and it's brilliant

I know I can Google but I’m rubbish at maths…

Does anyone know if, generally speaking, it is cheaper to boil the kettle and fill hot water bottles up vs using a microwave to heat up a wheat bag?

TIA

A hot water bottle on your lap with a blanket is a great way to keep warm and cosy.

I always bring them to matches on a cold day and they really work.

OP - my kids have oodies and love them. They’re large and very warm. However, I don’t think they are worth the money (mine only got them as they were an Xmas present from family clubbing together). I have a fleece zip up dressing gown from M&S and it is just as warm - just not as stylish 😂

I heard these on radio last night

1. Tinfoil behind the radiator to reflect the heat back out into the room rather than the wall absorbing it. (I’ve not tried it but going to give it a go this winter).
2. If you boil too much water in the kettle pour what’s left into a thermos flask to use it later on.

Don’t underestimate the power of sellotaping over draughts coming in from doors and windows - makes a massive difference. Thicker tape even better if you can beat the look of it. We taped around all the window cracks last year and it made a massive difference.

Vest or t-shirt tucked into your trousers.

Buy a larger size sweatshirt so you can get more layers under it. Fleecy gilet on top.

Rug or bath towel at the bottom of the door to reduce draughts.

Something hot and filling for lunch, such as a jacket potato.

Brisk walk in the afternoon - 15-20 min, or until you feel warm.

There's a thread in classics called no more cold mumsnetters. That has a lot of tips. Also look on the preppers board for tips on keeping warm in winter. Weather board may also have some ideas.

I'm fairly confident that heating a wheat bag in a microwave would be cheaper but the hot water bottle would stay hot longer.

An average kettle full is 2 -3 Kwh or around 60p but According to Energy Saving Trust, five minutes' usage of a typical microwave (800W, category E) will use about 0.09kWh of electricity, costing around 1.3p.

Hot water bottles
Wheat bags
Layers
Soup and hot drinks
Hats
Open the oven door when you've finished cooking

Thank you. A hot water bottle is always on the go in winter for chronic pain and warmth. I'm going to get the children onesies and slippers and a new dressing gown for me that goes to my ankles.

Mountain warehouse has a big sale on at the moment. I got thermals for the kids reduced from £17.99 to £5.99. Worth a look.

@howdoesatoastermaketoast does it cost 60p to boil a kettle ?

I bought a fake oodie from Amazon. It arrived and is quite thin so I wasn't expecting much but it is amazing. I don't think I managed to wear it for more than a few hours cause I got too hot. Then again, I'm also fat so it could be a combination rather than just the fake oodie 😁

Seogva Oversized Sherpa Hoodie,... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B095KPF8XX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Agree with a PP above, I bought my boys Oodie copies from Amazon and theyre cosy and warm. I couldn't justify paying for actual Oodies.

We bought mink blankets last winter which DS2 claims he had to kick off at night as he got so hot! They're great.

My DPs live round the corner and in order to keep my heating bills down they've said we are welcome anytime on days it's extra cold (evenings after dinner/before bed work for me), when the DC can relax with the ipads/do their homework as their house is always lovely and warm. DS1 with ASD can't cope with extreme temperatures and the toddler won't keep socks and layers on so this is really thoughtful of them!

Heated throw, heated foot warmer.
I'll only be heating the living room and staying in there.
I'm buying a heated airer for the clothes ad I don't have a tumble dryer.
I'm really worried about it.

Keep one room hot

Please do be careful to not fill hot water bottles up with boiling hot water, like I did.

I went to bed with it and the rubber must have melted, cos the fucking thing burst during the night. Felt like I'd wet the bed!

Please do be careful to not fill hot water bottles up with boiling hot water, like I did.

I went to bed with it and the rubber must have melted, cos the fucking thing burst during the night. Felt like I'd wet the bed!

Please do be careful to not fill hot water bottles up with boiling hot water, like I did.

I went to bed with it and the rubber must have melted, cos the fucking thing burst during the night. Felt like I'd wet the bed!

I have some lined trousers I bought from an outdoor shop - it's cotton on the outside contains a layer of insulation - I wear them most of the winter. Hot water bottles for my feet or for cuddling under a blanket.

I have a roll of foil coated plastic blister thingy... don't know how to described it - you normally out it behind radiators but I never used double sided velcro to stick sheets to my South facing Windows to keep the heat out - they will also help to keep the heat in/cold out in the winter.

I also use a flask for unused hot water from the kettle.

We have heavy curtains to pull across the front door.

The loft and loft access hatch are well insulated.

I have some lined trousers I bought from an outdoor shop - it's cotton on the outside contains a layer of insulation - I wear them most of the winter. Hot water bottles for my feet or for cuddling under a blanket.

I have a roll of foil coated plastic blister thingy... don't know how to described it - you normally out it behind radiators but I never used double sided velcro to stick sheets to my South facing Windows to keep the heat out - they will also help to keep the heat in/cold out in the winter.

I also use a flask for unused hot water from the kettle.

We have heavy curtains to pull across the front door.

The loft and loft access hatch are well insulated.

I have some lined trousers I bought from an outdoor shop - it's cotton on the outside contains a layer of insulation - I wear them most of the winter. Hot water bottles for my feet or for cuddling under a blanket.

I have a roll of foil coated plastic blister thingy... don't know how to described it - you normally out it behind radiators but I never used double sided velcro to stick sheets to my South facing Windows to keep the heat out - they will also help to keep the heat in/cold out in the winter.

I also use a flask for unused hot water from the kettle.

We have heavy curtains to pull across the front door.

The loft and loft access hatch are well insulated.