9 degrees inside - is it now a false economy to not put heating on?

[blanketseverywhere]

I'm trying to get by without putting heating on. According to the smart meter, it's currently 9 degrees in the sitting room (north-facing). The house feels very cold, but if I sit in the kitchen (south-facing) in many layers, with scarf and fingerless gloves on etc, it's not unbearable for WFH. In the evening I can use blankets / hot water bottles etc while watching tv and have two duvets on the bed at night.

However, at what point will temperatures of this level start to damage the house - or me? I feel achey all the time which I think is from being 'tense' in the cold, if that makes sense. I also have a constantly red and running nose / scratchy throat although I don't really feel ill.

I'm not using the tumble dryer so drying washing inside most of the time, although do try and keep windows open for air circulation... but then that makes it colder! I don't think we have any damp but I'm worried about the house constantly being cold - is this an issue in itself?

Is it going to get to a point where it's a false economy not to put the heating on because it will possibly be doing damage to the house, or should I carry on trying to hold out if possible and just carry on layering up? I realise this probably sounds a bit daft but I really don't want to store up even bigger problems!

My sister struggles with her bills as she’s on a low wage but is still heating her home. She knows what she could afford each month last winter and has added the £66 energy rebate. She has added the two then worked out a daily amount based on current prices and is monitoring her bills using a smart meter. When the daily amount is used up, the heating goes off! So far, she’s had a very low month due to the mild weather so has some “credit” for if it gets a lot colder but she seems quite comfortable.

She has reduced the setting to 18° which has helped so she’s been able to have the heating on for a few hours each day and not break the bank! She is hoping to get some additional money as she’s just been awarded something for her disabled son which she will use to off set increased food prices.

I wonder if this is something others could do if they were also able to pay for energy last year.

My brother and I have clubbed together to buy her an air fryer for Christmas which she will be delighted with as she has been talking about how one would save her using the oven - we are giving it to her this weekend rather than waiting!

At 15c I’m getting mildew all over the place, even with windows opened a lot

Are you not just inviting mould/damp into your home by doing this?

Babies hands and feet are always cold (just fyi, never use them as a guage to how cold or warm your baby is, touch their back instead).

My house is currently 15 degrees (radiators are off due to building works so different situation). 15 degrees is very cold let alone 9. I'm pleased to hear you have put the heating on, you must be so cold. Unplug the smart meter if it's causing you anxiety. I hope you are enjoying the warmer temperatures in your home

Take no notice.....the chippy nasty ones are always happy to put someone down. Ignore and they tend to go and bother someone else.

Electric throws are bloody wonderful. They keep you warm, but they're also comforting - like having a hug

Ffs people just put your heating on. People on lowest incomes have been given over £1000 in the last few months. So nobody should be sat at home freezing

Yes it’s expensive as you say OP but the only real reason not to heat your house is if you genuinely had to choose between heating your house and feeding yourself. Some people are unfortunately in that position. And they know and dread how difficult it will be. But I think too many people are also just plain daft and think they can save money for other things by living in a non-heated house, like it’s some kind of non-essential luxury to have heating. And then seem surprised when their house becomes mouldy and they can’t dry their clothes. Are people really that naive?

This is a great way to do it.

I think the putting the heating on for an hour is a false economy. The heating has to work much harder to get the temperature up.

Depends on the house. We live in new build, not an expensive one, and although they get a bad rap I have to say the insulation is proving to be amazing. An hour, sometimes just half an hour, morning and evening has been fine for us. I think more help and support needs to be given in future to ensure people can improve the insulation in their houses, it makes all the difference in the long term. Too many people living in old properties that just don’t hold any heat, it’s a big part of the problem.

If your getting mould , it’s nothing to do with how warm or cold it is in your house , it’s down to the amount of moisture your putting into the air, you need to try and change that. Our current house was empty for almost 2 years before we bought it ( not heated ) and there was no mould because there was no one in it to create any moisture.

if your worried about heating costs ( and rightly so ). Then a dehumidifier might be the best thing to try.
Pipes don’t freeze at 12c 🙄

Our bungalow goes from 15c to 20c in about 20 mins.

Love it. Cheap as chips to heat! Works out at £8 a week on prepayment

And that includes hot water for showers and dishes too

Gas central heating :)

Check your building insurance policy, it will probably give a minimum temperature for thermostats, even if a house is empty. A dehumidifier will help, it won't really raise the temperature but if it is less damp it won't fee so cold.

Has someone already suggested checking out any "warm hubs" to visit near you? You could also try an electric throw when the heating is off but your home will be unliveable at some point without any heating. It's not worth the risk of hypothermia.

I'm on a low wage and had the heating on every day, no way am I freezing in my own home.

Haven’t read the full thread but I think some people are so obsessed with checking smart metres and seeing how much they’re spending that they are forgetting that your energy usage does average out over the year…so even though you might use lots over the next few months, you’ll use a lot less through the spring and summer.

If you can afford your monthly direct debit then switch your heating on and don’t get obsessed with watching the costs and usage on your smart metre. It’ll level out across the year. My monthly payment is double what is was a year ago. That’s pretty sickening but I can afford it so my heating is on. I’m being more careful than I was last year but I need to have it in a few hours a day to stay comfortable.

There's no thermostat

then get one fitted. I had to get a thermostat fitted and op for a one that I could have with me in any room. Get a plumber in to sort that for you as it will be far better and cheaper in the long run.

Your house insurance will be invalid without heating the house to 15 degrees

once you have a thermostat fitted to the boiler you can set it on a timer to run at a low temperature. That way if you set it for 14 degrees overnight you will find it will come on but only for short bursts then you can set it for slightly higher temps in the morning and evening to warm you through a bit.

Also get the radiators looked at for more control over them

I grew up like your Dad, yep ice on the windows inside. We did have a gas fire on in the living room. Someone has pointed out that it was just that one room heated and that’s true so kids didn’t hang out in their rooms in the winter. I can remember going to bed in my school uniform as too cold to get undressed, I don’t romanticise it as it was shit though we were not ill but there was no double glazing and it was draughty as anything so was always ventilated.

Why is there so many threads about the heating? If you want to put your heating on, put your heating on. If you don’t then don’t. Why’s there 1000 threads on the topic? MNHQ may as well add a ‘Heating’ topic

Your house insurance will be invalid without heating the house to 15 degrees

This is simply not true.

I do think this is a false economy and, while you aren't actually ill it sounds as if you are very uncomfortable. Personally, I would make economies anywhere else I possibly could to set the heating to 18 during the day.

Most policies it's around 12

Agree with this, though. My house is 250 years old so there is not much point putting the heating on as it just goes out of the leaky bits. I'd love to be able to improve its efficiency, but it's too expensive. If I turn my thermostat up to 17 (which is my ideal temperature), it tries its best but never gets there. Hence it's easier and cheaper not to try.