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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:
Curseofthenation · 22/09/2023 10:26

No, I wouldn't put it on at that temp with a one-year old, or even a newborn. The ideal room temp for a newborn is 16-20 degrees.

Deliaskis · 22/09/2023 10:29

Yes of course heating should go on if it's only 16 degrees in your living room, unless you can't afford it. People on here are nuts. Room temperature is called room temperature for a reason. World Health Organisation say "a minimum of 18 °C (64 °F) is a "safe and well-balanced indoor temperature to protect the health of general populations during cold seasons", while a higher minimum may be necessary for vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and people with cardiorespiratory disease and other chronic illnesses".

dimsumfatsum · 22/09/2023 10:31

My child gets ill when the cold weather hits (think months of respiratory tract infections, chesty coughs that put them off food and extreme weight loss) so we've started to dress them in thermals with pjs on top and in a 2.5 tog sleeping bag. We also have a heater in their room which will be going on from October onwards. There is no way I'd willingly have a poorly child on my hands if there's some way around that!

Star0Fire · 22/09/2023 10:39

If my house was 16 I'd be turning the heating on if it's during the day

Fairymother · 22/09/2023 10:43

I would freeze at 16 degrees. We always keep it over 20 though.. usually 21-22! 🥶

FrenchandSaunders · 22/09/2023 11:00

It's obv a very individual thing but I'm surprised how many people feel cold at 16 degrees. I'm wfh in leggings and a vest top/thin hoody ... feel lovely and warm and our windows are open. I hate the stuffiness of central heating and rarely have it above 19/20 even when it's frosty outside.

margotrose · 22/09/2023 11:23

Fairymother · 22/09/2023 10:43

I would freeze at 16 degrees. We always keep it over 20 though.. usually 21-22! 🥶

I guess this explains why some people have such high energy bills 😳

I would have a headache if my heating was that high!

Hibiscrubbed · 22/09/2023 11:23

Just put a jumper on your kid. I cannot stand overheated homes. They make me feel so unwell.

SomeCatFromJapan · 22/09/2023 12:46

I guess this explains why some people have such high energy bills

Mine isn't particularly high and I keep it around that as well. Modern, well-insulated house so no need for me to sit and freeze.

InYourHeadZombieeeaeaeaea · 22/09/2023 12:51

Headache from 21c inside is as usual as actually sitting at home at 15 outside of MN....

As pp, I kept living room at that when we were there and my bills and usage were considerably lower than half of mumsnetters with 4 pairs of socks on

Bunnycat101 · 22/09/2023 12:52

16 feels cold to me so I’d pop it on. Our living room temp is currently at 20- very sunny room that stays nice and warm. Kids bedrooms 17. They are both north facing and do often get cold. It’ll be those rooms that go on first but I’d also look at your living room for drafts etc as that does feel quite chilly for the time of year and weather.

InYourHeadZombieeeaeaeaea · 22/09/2023 12:53

"why are british houses so prone to mould😭"

"21c is overheated house" ...

TheBarbieEffect · 22/09/2023 12:54

Yes, it absolutely should be on. That is too cold.

Our house is never below 20. I couldn’t live like that.

wishIwasonholiday10 · 22/09/2023 12:57

With a baby or young child I’d keep it at least 18 during the day and at least 16 during the night. If it was just me at home I’d put on more clothes.

TiredandLate · 22/09/2023 12:59

I've noticed my washing is not drying properly in the last week, the room is around 17°. 16° feels cold to me. Having a log burner installed next week so trying to avoid putting the heating on until then to see what a difference it makes, can't bloody wait.

JC89 · 22/09/2023 13:00

If it's 16 during the day how low is it getting at night? Baby's room should ideally be between 16 and 20 degrees, so yeah you might need to get it a bit warmer during the day so it doesn't get too low then.

thecatsthecats · 22/09/2023 14:20

All these "only on MN" posts honestly come across as a bit thick - if you can't imagine people being comfortable at lower temperatures, then you can at least believe people when they say they are.

SomeCatFromJapan · 22/09/2023 14:56

Goes both ways though, plenty who think people who need higher temperatures to be warm are just being self-indulgent.

headcheffer · 22/09/2023 15:06

Jesus people are so competitive about cold houses! Yes I would put the heating on if it was under 18 degrees and I felt cold, and could afford it.

thecatsthecats · 22/09/2023 15:18

SomeCatFromJapan · 22/09/2023 14:56

Goes both ways though, plenty who think people who need higher temperatures to be warm are just being self-indulgent.

That's not the same as denying that they have a preference.

Only I'm not so rude as to say, MIL, I'm effing melting at 25 degrees, and if you want us to stay longer maybe open a window.

QueenBee22 · 22/09/2023 15:33

When I bought my newborn baby home from the hospital recently the staff recommended a minimum temperature of 18 degrees for a baby to sleep in and a maximum of 22 degrees. It might be different with a 1 year old. Is your child comfortable sleeping? If they are waking often it is probably too cold. If it were me I wouldn't hesitate to put it on.

ICanSeeMyHouseFromHere · 22/09/2023 15:59

A baby isn't moving around, 16 is too cold (like it is if I'm at my desk working - i end up in gloves/fleece/padded jacket if I try!)

I would put the heating on, and keep it somewhere between 18 and 20. I don't care what the date is.

Doggymummar · 22/09/2023 16:12

Our house is cooling down now from the Summer. It's 20.5 on the thermometer. Heating is set to come on at 18 degrees. We both WFH I am in South facing office so cold until the afternoon and hubby is in North facing so warm. I really feel the cold so gave ordered a heated poncho from Lakeland to wear at my desk as utility bills without gas have been nearly £400 a month during summer and I want to keep them down over winter as much as possible

Notagains · 22/09/2023 16:24

Yes 16 is cold for a house during the day. I would out the heating on. It doesn't matter what month it is , if it's cold it's cold..

Fahhgedaboutit · 22/09/2023 16:30

I’d put it on at 16, but ours kicks in whenever it goes under 18 during the day. And I’ve tapered it down gradually- a few years ago it came on whenever it went under 22! I’d not be comfortable at 16.