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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep the heating off

102 replies

BelleMarionette · 06/10/2022 21:27

The heating has not been on since last winter, and I'm determined to have it off as long as possible, given:
a) the cost and
b) that gas is bought from Russia, which then funds a war

I'm in London, so weather still quite mild fortunately.

Do you have your heating off? How do you plan to keep it off if so?

OP posts:
sarahc336 · 07/10/2022 10:02

We've had ours on a tad in the mornings and evenings but I'm defo limiting how long it's on for, I might have it on 20 mins in the morning and 20 mins in the evening otherwise our cold Victorian house gets colder and colder 😒 it's getting the balance between defo using less but not sat in a cold house x

MenopauseSucks · 07/10/2022 10:06

Thermostat is set at 18c & heating is times to come on in the mornings & evenings.
So far it's coming on for maybe 30mins in the morning as it does get a bit chilly downstairs.
If it gets really cold over the winter I might up the thermostat as far as 20c. I do wrap up warm, lots of layers & thermals so I'm not lounging around in a t-shirt whilst it's tropical inside...
I was on a fixed rate until May 2020 when I was paying 3p/kWh for gas. Now I'm paying 10p/kWh for gas which is quite a leap but I can afford it if I'm careful.

caringcarer · 07/10/2022 11:11

I'm on West Midlands. Last week I was on verge of putting it on but then this week has been warmer again. I have not had it on yet by DH and adult DS are a bit miffed so it will probably go on next week or if it gets a bit colder. We all have heated throws. During the daytime I am doing jobs and moving about so don't feel cold but in evening when just sat watching TV it is a bit colder.

DelphiniumBlue · 07/10/2022 11:50

I'm in London, it's hardly cold enough for the heating to be on here.
I've got shawls and blankets at the ready but haven't really needed them yet.

itsnotmeitsu · 07/10/2022 14:40

I'm not sure how it works for those having the heating on for really brief periods of time. Surely the cost there will be in firing the boiler up without it doing much to change the temperature in the house?

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 07/10/2022 14:59

DelphiniumBlue · 07/10/2022 11:50

I'm in London, it's hardly cold enough for the heating to be on here.
I've got shawls and blankets at the ready but haven't really needed them yet.

I would agree, but locally lots have been putting on the heating... The children still want fans on at night currently!

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 07/10/2022 19:39

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 07/10/2022 09:41

interested enough to open a thread about it & post your non interest 🤣

if I'm not interested in a subject, I just don't open the thread. I don't feel the need to butt into a thread to tell everyone I'm so superior I'm not interested in what they're discussing.

Show quote history

I don't feel the need to police people's responses.

Perhaps there have been so many competitive not putting the heating on threads I feel for those for whom being cold is a necessity.

AuntieMarys · 07/10/2022 19:43

Mine may go in next week when overnight temps here in the North go down to about 8.
It's not been.on since April 1st

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 07/10/2022 19:56

CheezePleeze · 07/10/2022 09:13

Given that you'll be switching the heating on as soon as you feel you're cold enough, this thread reads like a load of virtuous nonsense OP.

You do you and yours.

Show quote history

Who said that? Definitely not me.

You seem quite irked by the thought of actions having consequences. Not to mention the environmental impact.

OP posts:
Fatballs · 07/10/2022 20:01

Our central heating is off. The pilot light isn’t lit.

However, we do have a fire lit this evening.

To keep the heating off
Mooda · 07/10/2022 20:03

I'm

rageapplied · 07/10/2022 20:04

What am I supposed to do then? I get pain when I'm cold. It exacerbated my health conditions.

From an environmental pov what am I supposed to do?

My loft is mega insulated. I have new front and back doors and new-ish double glazing. I wfh so I have to heat my study. I don't drive much but I'm rural so I do have to sometimes.

I visit family occasionally.

What more can I do environmentally?

Mooda · 07/10/2022 20:07

Oops. Sure we'll put it on eventually but it's not cold enough yet (NW). Every day it stays off is better for the environment and money saved for other things so that's my motivation!

BlackeyedSusan · 07/10/2022 20:23

My mum's house is fucking freezing. (Colder inside than

BlackeyedSusan · 07/10/2022 20:25

...out so would need heating on. My flat is warmer and we hardly need heating at all.

Some people feel the cold more..

So it varies.

silverclock222 · 07/10/2022 20:33

Heating been on for nearly a week in the evenings. Currently 10 degrees and pouring rain. Obviously Scotland!

Hesma · 07/10/2022 20:35

Mine is still off and will remain so until it gets too cold

user26189065 · 07/10/2022 20:38

Doesn't sound like you need it on anyway so why the thread

girlfriend44 · 07/10/2022 21:50

Not had heating on yer. Had gas fire on for about 20 mins to warm room. Having to think about more now.

mynamesnotMa · 07/10/2022 22:36

I hate Central heating sucks the moisture out of the atmosphere and spreads germs.
I love my real fire and have only needed it once

Eggsley · 07/10/2022 23:03

We haven't put the heating on here yet, we are in the midlands. Trying to hold out until it gets much colder. I am trying to heat the person, not the room. The DC have blankets on their beds as well as winter duvets, plus they have dressing gowns. We've brought their camping sleeping bags in from the garage for when it gets colder, which they are excited about using. Although they are both still wandering around in shorts (inside and outside), so they can't be that cold.

I am usually freezing, but trying to layer up. I'm resisting putting the electric blanket on as we're trying to stick to a daily budget for gas/electricity. It's quite mild in the day time here at the moment though. Chilly in the mornings but once I'm up and moving around I'm ok. Evenings are ok so far, I get cold around 11pm so go to bed then. I'm out at work all week so warm enough there. I'm usually busy at the weekends so moving around keeps me warm!

XPD · 07/10/2022 23:11

I'm currently off the West of Scotland in a b&b with no heating. It's warm here still. I live in London, its been warm there too. I'm still sleeping under a sheet with the windows open.

I think all the people who are 'freezing' need to see their GP.

Murdoch1949 · 08/10/2022 02:14

Had heating on twice last winter, may be the same this coming winter. I live in Yorkshire, but in a well insulated house so was never really cold. I do layer up, have a throw. Recently bought an electric heated throw, may use that when it snows. I’m in my 70s but saving myself for my 80s when I’ll splash out on a warm house!

rageapplied · 08/10/2022 07:32

I think all the people who are 'freezing' need to see their GP.

I have. I have been diagnosed with a number of medical conditions including arthritis, under active thyroid, anaemia and B12 deficiency. All of which combine to make me feel the cold.

I do layer up. I'm honestly at a loss as to what more I can do except turn the heating on? I have multiple layers on every day. I have a heated throw and blankets on sofas and in my study. I use hot water bottles. I wear a hat and fingerless gloves indoors. (I have to take them off for meetings but wear them other than that). I wear thick walking socks and have a box with a hot water bottle in it for my feet.

(Genuine question I promise - I'd love there to be something I haven't thought of)

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 09/10/2022 13:52

rageapplied · 08/10/2022 07:32

I think all the people who are 'freezing' need to see their GP.

I have. I have been diagnosed with a number of medical conditions including arthritis, under active thyroid, anaemia and B12 deficiency. All of which combine to make me feel the cold.

I do layer up. I'm honestly at a loss as to what more I can do except turn the heating on? I have multiple layers on every day. I have a heated throw and blankets on sofas and in my study. I use hot water bottles. I wear a hat and fingerless gloves indoors. (I have to take them off for meetings but wear them other than that). I wear thick walking socks and have a box with a hot water bottle in it for my feet.

(Genuine question I promise - I'd love there to be something I haven't thought of)

Are you really still cold at this time of year with a heated blanket and layers?

I think in general heating the person and not the house is a good way to start, fleece blankets, layers, and if needed hot water bottles or electric blankets.

Environmentally the situation is scary.

OP posts: