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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

baby, heating, who is right?

101 replies

Oumcs · 22/09/2023 07:56

Current temperature of downstairs is 16 degrees. Dh adamant heating doesn’t need to go on as it’s only September. We have a one year old… I think it should be on?

OP posts:
reallyfedup12 · 22/09/2023 09:14

Absolutely not, just put a jumper on her

DelightfullyDotty · 22/09/2023 09:14

Is this government propaganda to get the proles to accept the huge energy price rises while living in freezing conditions?

margotrose · 22/09/2023 09:14

I wouldn't be putting the heating on unless I'd already tried extra layers and was still cold.

But then I can't afford to run the heating regularly from now until April either.

Pleaseme · 22/09/2023 09:21

I lit the fire yesterday as it felt chilly. It was just enough. I think at 16 it can feel cold especially if damp. Maybe a good compromise a little oil radiator for babies bedroom?

Pleaseme · 22/09/2023 09:28

DelightfullyDotty · 22/09/2023 09:14

Is this government propaganda to get the proles to accept the huge energy price rises while living in freezing conditions?

Possibly but every government/ local authority building I go in is outrageously warm. I’m at work in a t-shirt and it’s hot enough to make you feel sweaty just sitting at a desk!

GlitterGlobe30 · 22/09/2023 09:33

I had a housemate last year who never let me put the heating on (always turned it off again) and I had to sit in a 12 degrees house. It was freezing, I got really sick and struggled to recover because the house was so cold. She wanted to save money on the heating whilst she was buying loads of beer and takeouts and crap all month long. I don't understand that mindset. I understand if someone is struggling to actually make ends meet but not prioritising crap that's bad for you over the heating. Especially when you're living with someone else to consider too. It's important for your health to stay warm. 16 degrees is too cold. NHS states 18 degrees minimum.

Also no idea why people started talking about having the heating on overnight? OP never said anything about that in her post.

Sartre · 22/09/2023 09:35

They’re one so not a baby anymore. If you were talking about a tiny newborn I’d say the heating probably should be on but a one year old can cope with 16 degrees (and much lower!). Just dress them accordingly.

PurpleMonkeys · 22/09/2023 09:36

Certainlyreally · 22/09/2023 09:12

What 1880s?

I'm a 1970s baby and we werent

Show quote history

It's still common in Nordic countries.
Down to deep minus temps sometimes.

DisquietintheRanks · 22/09/2023 09:37

I wouldn't put heating on at 16 degrees, our heating is set to heat to 16 degrees. Is your baby cold?

PinkRoses1245 · 22/09/2023 09:39

Nah, definitely not for me. Warm yourselves, wear layers. If you're sitting around, get a heated blanket.

MariaVT65 · 22/09/2023 09:42

I’d be putting the heating on at 16, especially if I actually felt cold.

oistopthatyoucheekysnail · 22/09/2023 09:43

I'd say pop the heating on to get to 17/18 and layer them up. I like a 19 degree + house though 🤷‍♀️.

jamorchocolatedoughnut · 22/09/2023 09:43

Only on MN people don't feel cold, if my house was at 16 degrees the heating would be on to bump it up to at least 18 degrees. While 16 degrees isn’t too cold it’s not a comfortable temperature to me. If you or baby is cold put the heating on!

Wyksi · 22/09/2023 09:46

16-20 is ideally where you should keep it at with 18 being ideal according to safe sleep advice

Personally, I find 18 cold

RedPony1 · 22/09/2023 09:50

i think 16 is the minimum for me, mines set to come on if it goes under that but it hasnt so far

Seeline · 22/09/2023 09:53

We put the heating on a couple of days ago at 16 degrees. We both WFH so sitting still. Despite putting jumpers on we were both cold, so on it went.
I think 16 can feel really chilly. A 1yo may not be walking, so not moving much. There is a limit to how many layers you can put on a little one whilst still allowing movement in arms/legs. I don't think it unreasonable to put the heating on to take the edge off.

SomeCatFromJapan · 22/09/2023 09:59

It's really damp feeling at this time of year so I find the same temperature indoors actually feels colder than in mid-winter.
I'd be freezing and miserable at 16, I've had the heating on for a bit every day the last few days to bump it up to around 20. I realise that per MN this is outrageously hot.

I don't have mine on overnight in general either but had to make an exception during the cold snap last winter when it was -12 outside as the temperature was just dropping too quickly indoors, and that was a well-insulated modern house.

coconutpie · 22/09/2023 10:02

16 is too cold. It doesn't matter if it's September or January, if it's 16 put the heating on.

imisscashmere · 22/09/2023 10:05

InYourHeadZombieeeaeaeaea · 22/09/2023 08:13

It's only on MN where I encountered people who think 16c in living areas is totes fine.

This. What am I reading? We heat our living room to at least 19 degrees when we are in it.

Bearbookagainandagain · 22/09/2023 10:13

Yeah, 16 is definitely too cold, I'd put the heating on if I was home all day/morning.
I would probably not bother if I was just getting ready for work though.

If your house is humid, you could try a dehumidifier as well. It works really well for us downstairs and mean we can just heat up the room we need in the morning (it's on a timer).

Funny how many commented they would turn it on at 18 but then tell you to put a jumper on 🤔

DontGiveMeThatOldCrap · 22/09/2023 10:15

I'm in my 60s, never had central heating at all until I got my own place when I was 20. It didn't affect me as a child

Ladyj84 · 22/09/2023 10:16

Wouldn't put it on and we have 3 toddlers that's why we have socks jumpers etc lol

PeachF · 22/09/2023 10:16

Crikey, 16 degrees is Baltic to me! I'm a 22degree girl. Although with COL I might be knocking it down one or two degrees this year.

InYourHeadZombieeeaeaeaea · 22/09/2023 10:20

DontGiveMeThatOldCrap · 22/09/2023 10:15

I'm in my 60s, never had central heating at all until I got my own place when I was 20. It didn't affect me as a child

But you obviously had heating in rooms. Hence why not having central heating didn't do anything to you as a child...

PuttingDownRoots · 22/09/2023 10:22

Is he cold?
Are you cold?
Are you both wearing a jumper, socks and trousers?

If the answer to these questions is yes, its time to consider heating. Doesn't matter if someone else is still wandering around in shorts and tshirt with their windows open... everyone's house is different and people feel the cold differently.

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