To put the heating on?

[Eeksteek]

I know, I know! It’s only September, it’s not that cold outside, even. I was hoping to hold out through October, as we’re already broke. But I’m freezing! It’s 17°C in here. I was fine walking the dog and mowing the lawn in just a sweatshirt earlier, but now I’m wrapped in a blanket on the sofa and I’m still cold. My nose is running, my feet and fingers are frozen, my kiddo is in bed in fleecy PJs and an oodie and if I don’t put the heating on, I’m bloody going to bed, too. 17°C felt cold in March, too, but I wasn’t expecting it indoors, during the day, in September. Yesterday I wore two sweaters and two pairs of socks!

I’d expected to tough it out longer, and I didn’t expect it feel so cold, so soon. I don’t see how I’m going to manage the bills if I start putting the heating on and using up my credit already, but I can’t imagine being this cold indoors for eight months, and I feel like such a wuss! 17°c wouldn’t bother me outside at all, but inside it feels awful.

Its not just me is it? 17°c isn’t room temperature for a reason?

We don't have heating but I'm really glad the chimney is due to be swept this week, because I was really feeling the cold last night! It feels like the temperature has dropped quite suddenly. Today we've put the electric blanket back on the bed and got the winter duvet out.

East mids, here too. 17°c out. 17°c in. It felt warmer out though. I’d really hoped it would be ok for longer with just a bit of chilliness morning and evening. I had the heating at 17°C last March, so I know how much I hate it, but I’d hoped it wouldn’t get this cold this early. I WFH, and I had a vest, long sleeved top, fine wool sweater, thick wool cardigan, a fleece blanket, two pairs of socks, fingerless gloves, a wool scarf and an oodie. I can’t put anything else on and still move! Day before yesterday the house hadn’t dropped below 20°c even with the doors open for the dogs.

I compromised by making dinner and adding a treacle pudding and custard. Now I’m in bed with extra wool socks and blankets, although I still have a cold nose and cold hands. I have lots in the pipeline to improve my income, but it’s taking longer than I hoped. I have built some credit over the summer, but not as much as I think I’ll need. I have never been this badly off before, and I hope I never am again.

This. ^ Every single September, a ruck of threads pop up on various parts of mumsnet asking 'shall I put the heating on?' So tedious and predictable. 🙄 Put it on if you want, if you're cold. Why the F do you need to get the approval of random strangers on the internet?

Agreed, although I think there is value in seeking cultural norms beyond your immediate circle. Normally I set the thermostats to comfortable temperatures and forget about them. I have even mocked people who refuse to put the heating until some arbitrary date, even though they are cold. But this year I am beyond broke (already), and was crushed to be so cold, so early on. I was miserable and looking for commiseration and sympathy. If I’m struggling mid September, how the fuck will I feel in February!

I left the stupid window open in the spare room when I put the washing in there a few days ago. Now I’ve closed it, things are bearable at 18°. It’s astonishing, the difference between 18° and 17°. (Although I am concerned about getting the washing dry in a cold house. Bloody hell, this is not a year I want to remember.

I've always been a person that goes by temperature rather than calendar but this year is going to be very different. I'm just too scared. I do have a credit on my account but it needs to last. So I'm toughing it out for as long as possible. I'm going to put my brushed cotton bedding on tonight and dig out the hot water bottle.

I've still got my bifolds fully open across the back of the house all day every day, so the thought of putting the heating on is not on my radar at the moment and seems rather sad.

I’m cold today!

I have literally just put a hoody & thicker socks on.

I really need to test the wood burner (not sure it’s been used for a while) so will make put a fire on later.

We have no gas only the wood burner and night storage heaters there is no way those bloody things are going on that’s for certain. I did dig out the heated throw and electric blankets so will make sure they are put on the beds this week.

if I had gas I’d put my heating on just for an hour today I think

What on earth are you asking us for? Do what you like!

I've put woolly socks, and a wool sweater on today.

I also discovered that funeral marches have a beat that is perfect to ironing in time with 🤔so l've cleared the ironing pile while watching TV and am now rather warm.

We've got our thermostat set to 20deg so it's been on and off for the last week.

15 degrees outside where we are. I’m so cold but can’t risk putting the heating on so soon.
It’s going to be a long cold winter 😕

No way! Put more layers on and get a hot water bottle! It’s only going to get colder.

Of course not if you need to.

I always think I'm going to manage until October without heating but nearly always put it on just before. It was on for a couple of hours earlier in the week.

Ours was 17 yesterday and I thought I was being dead soft putting on a sweatshirt. Definitely no heating needed here.

Mumsnet has been full of threads all summer of how everyone isn’t putting the heating on at all in winter. They can’t afford it or won’t pay those prices. Buying clothes/blankets etc and now can’t even get to October before it’s on. Our house is 19 ( no heating) and while cooler it’s fine.

I had comments our bills/usage is low and wrong readings on some threads. No it’s just we aren’t ridiculous with energy use . Some peoples bills are crazy high before the increase. Just be mindful it’s still quite a bit more expensive in October than last year

I’ve found you get used to a cooler house/temps. We’ve been here 5 years and I was cold at first. But over the years I’ve adjusted and we have the heating on just for a few hours a day at 19 ish. It’s fine. I had the heating in warmer around 21/22 Christmas Day for my dad it was boiling!

Prices will remain high, while demand is high. But no one thinks of that.

The planet is truly fucked if healthy adults cannot tolerate 17 degrees indoors.

Gosh. I thought you guys were tougher than that! I grew up in America where if it goes below 20 heat is on all day. But since I've lived here I'm more like my friends - no heat til well into October and back doors open (mine is right now).
I did actually close my bedroom window last night as I'm still just using an empty duvet cover on the bed (it is time to dig out the duvet I admit).
My daughter was complaining last night but she then put on a cardigan and snuggled under a thick throw. She made me close the back door though!

I'm fine with the temperature...walked the dog this morning in a teeshirt, and sleep with the windows open all year around. But I work home too like the OP, and get cold when sitting still for too long at the laptop. There's no point in putting my heating on as the back door is left open all day for the dog.
I just bought a Snugsie blanket with sleeves on Amazon and it's so warm. It has arms too as with a normal blanket my arms would have to keep getting cold.

I have just bought an electric heated throw for the sofa so I can snuggle up warm in the evening in the living room and watch Netflix, I’m determined not to have to put the heating on yet, it’s going to be so expensive as it is. But there has definitely been a drop in temperature. Apparently electric throws cost pennies to run compared to the central heating. In the long run my partner is talking about fitting a stove fire place into our house.

We have't caved yet, but my OH does now own a pair of flannel pjs and we have taken to having throws on the sofa.

I have lit both wood stoves and opened the doors so bedrooms get a warm through. I was all no heating buying an oodie but then I remembered how depressing it is to be cold especially for children. I will be redoubling efforts to chop up existing wood supplies to stretch out the bought stuff.

I couldn't be bothered with the log burner so I put the heating on for a little while.

It's 14 degrees (outside) here today and it's the first day for ages I've really felt cold inside and wanted to put the heating on. I have resisted and am wearing DP's down jacket which is like a dress on me and my down trousers but still can't feel my fingers and toes. Not sure how I'll fare when it's actually cold. I love the heating normally :-(

I'm in Scotland and mine went on midweek last week as I could not warm up. Its only on a short amount of time, but I do generally try to wait until end of September.

Mine hit 17 so heating is now on in a morning to get it 20