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AIBU?

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Original poster

House temperature during the day

89 replies

settlethisone · 06/12/2023 15:57

Currently our thermostat is set so that the heating comes on and warms to 19 degrees for two hours 6pm-8pm and an hour in the morning 5-6am.

Our house loses heat quite quickly. We rent so not interested in fixing it for now. No kids yet.

Thermostat had dropped to as low as 14 so I have just had to put it on, because it feels freezing. I’m working from home today and feel chilly.

DH thinks it’s more normal to have heating off entirely in the day. I’d agree but I thought room temp is minimum 17-18 otherwise there’s health repercussions. what do you think?

YABU - team DH
YANBU - nooo that’s freezing

OP posts:
Devilsmommy · 06/12/2023 15:59

That's freezing. I've got a toddler so ours is on to get to 22. It's feels freezing otherwise

DaftyInTheMiddle · 06/12/2023 16:00

I can barely get our house above 18 with the heating on all day so I feel your pain. And we have a toddler 😭

I think it’s normal to have it off it you’re warm enough or not working from home (or can’t afford it).

Ive heard people recommend electric heaters for the room your working in or electric blankets? I WFH but too but keep the heating off when dd is at nursery.

Backtoreality1 · 06/12/2023 16:01

If I am active and can put enough layers on then 14/15 is fine - but if sitting and working at a desk this would probably get too chilly for me. However, i would put the heating on in the room where I am working and turn it down/off in the rest of the house to save heating unused space.

SomeCatFromJapan · 06/12/2023 16:02

I wfh and keep the temperature at 18.5 (I whack it up to 19 as a treat if I'm feeling particulaly cold).
I'm mostly a bit chilly even at that temperature, used to have it at more like 22 but I'm being cost-conscious.

HollowEgg · 06/12/2023 16:04

Ours is set to 18.5 twice a day, it can drop below 10c inside in winter, children have yet to notice 🤣 I have a fan heater in my office and sometimes put the heating on at 3pm but honestly it’s fine.

House is very old and has actual daylight coming through the odd wall 🥶

Shithole101 · 06/12/2023 16:07

My house is at 14. I have no intention of putting the heating on. I have a dressing gown on over my clothes and blanket for my legs .

Squiblet · 06/12/2023 16:18

Ours was 17 for most of today and I was not a happy bunny. 14 is crazy. Can you make like JK Rowling and take your laptop to a cafe?

InTheRainOnATrain · 06/12/2023 16:19

We’re in and out most of the day (WFH, DC2 on half days at preschool) so just leave it at on and set to 18.5 for all hours that we’re awake.

OneMiniMincePieTooFar · 06/12/2023 16:23

The year I 'allowed' my house to drop to 14c during the day (a drive to reduce excess energy costs when I lived alone) was the year I started to see mould on the windows and on the mattresses.

Never again, so long as I can help it.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 06/12/2023 16:23

Mine was just under 14° when I got home earlier, I have a 3 year old who is inactive and has vulnerable health conditions so I lit the log burner to bring the house back up to a more acceptable 18-19°.

NChance · 06/12/2023 16:23

Same, 15.5c here and I'm WFH today

Viviennemary · 06/12/2023 16:24

The temperature outside is very cold. I have mine on when I am in at 21.5. I feel sorry for folk who can't afford it. But having no heating when you can afford it is just plain daft IMHO.

Chalkdowns · 06/12/2023 16:25

Have a listen to Michael Mosely short podcasts on BBC sounds. It’s really interesting about how the cold is quite good for your body, within reason. Lots of interesting facts.

I keep the heating off during the day unless I feel depressed by the cold. But right now I’m sitting in my hat and coat because I came in from being out all day and don’t want to take it off! I’ve bought a heated throw for when I’m sitting still.

Homesweethome23 · 06/12/2023 16:26

Just got home and ours is at 9.5 we are off out in a bit so won’t be putting on any heating.

existentialpain · 06/12/2023 16:28

14 is really cold. That said, it probably depends on the building as well as your bodily constitution as to how well you cope with it. I'm sedentary and feel the cold and that would be too cold for me. I aim to have my flat at around 18 and four hours of heating (2 in morning and evening) usually does the trick. I don't like to feel too hot indoors as I dress for the winter.

cestlavielife · 06/12/2023 16:30

If you cold put on heating or get your personal portable heater oil filled plugged in

Mothmansknickers · 06/12/2023 16:35

I live in a small, 2-bed cottage built in the 1850s. Temp has been hovering around 18 which for me, is too cold. I like it at 22, at least. I do like it cold at night though.

Tumbleweed101 · 06/12/2023 17:00

When I'm home its usually set at 18-20C. I turn it to 15C if everyone is out and overnight. On these colder days I keep it a little higher overnight.

I'm not well off by any means but I am better off than at times in the past when I struggled to afford oil for the heating boiler. We had a lot of damp and mould then as only heated by calor gas and portable electric heaters. The cold got into the fabric of the house then so won't let it do it now I can afford heating.

Em3978 · 06/12/2023 19:23

DH works from home and doesn't have the heating on at all (though sits there in a hat, with a blanket or even sleeping bag - nutter!) I get home at lunchtime and by about 2 I'm too cold so put the heating on for an hour or so at 16. It was 11deg when I got home on monday lunch!
In the evenings its on about 18 for a few hours.

tbh, we're all pale redheads, so 'hot' for us is anything over about 19deg. we utterly melt in summer!

Grimbelina · 06/12/2023 19:36

We lowered ours last year to around 16-17... and for the first time developed mould issues. Now back to 19 in the mornings and evenings. It isn't good for your health if you aren't very mobile under around 16.5 apparently.

justjuggling · 07/12/2023 02:44

Two hours in the morning and two in the evening at 20. Nothing at other times, but do have a very cosy electric throw which is in daily use!

Growlybear83 · 07/12/2023 03:07

I think that's absolutely freezing. Our heating comes on at 6 am, and is timed to go off at 10, back on for two hours at midday, and then back on at 4 until 10.30. But when it's cold like it has been over the last few days, I override the timer and it's on from 6 am until I go to bed at about 12.30. The thermostat is set to 25 but it's an old draughty house and it doesn't get to thst temperature. I work from home and when it's cold I also have a convector heater on in the living room whilst I'm working.

GreatGateauxsby · 07/12/2023 03:28

I sit in the middle.
It's a source of tension in my house.

We have a big old house and a young child.
Trying to keep the house warm is a nightmare certain rooms will be at 24 others barely at 18 after heating for 3 hours.

DH seems terrified of using gas despite a huge credit (I mean HUGE) our DD is under £60pm for a 5 bed...

I hate being cold and certain rooms get positively icy.

In the spirit of compromise I try not to overdo it and aim for around 17-18 when DD is home&awake. It def goes lower at night and in the day of we are out.

We do 2 hrs 6-8am and 2 hours 5-7pm as "core"
Sometimes a boost in the day and sometimes an 8pm/9pm boost.

I have an electric throw/blanket for the living room, hot water bottle, we keep internal doors closed.

Mirrormeback · 07/12/2023 04:23

Mines on at 18 all day expect for at night when it's on 7

Mirrormeback · 07/12/2023 04:23

Grimbelina · 06/12/2023 19:36

We lowered ours last year to around 16-17... and for the first time developed mould issues. Now back to 19 in the mornings and evenings. It isn't good for your health if you aren't very mobile under around 16.5 apparently.

Same