To ask them to put the heating on,?

[AnnaQuayInTheUk]

If you're a guest in someone's house, is it ok to ask them to turn the heating on/up?

I live in an old draughty house with big single glazed sash windows, so I'm quite used to being chilly. We try to keep the house at about 18, it's very difficult to get it above that but if a guest was cold I would have no issues with plugging in additional heaters etc.

I'm currently staying with my mum for a few days. She lives with her partner and has moved into his house. It's freezing. The living room has a thermometer in it and it's currently 13C. It's a modernish house, fully double glazed and centrally heated.

They split the bills. They are quite well off - nice cars, several holidays a year - so it's not a money issue. According to mum, her partner thinks it's wasteful if they put the heating on during the day, as they are out a lot. They are both retired. They do go out a lot but usually one or both come home at lunchtime. They are usually both in by 5pm but the heating doesn't come on until nearer to 6.

I'm trying to work from here for a few days. I am so cold it's difficult to concentrate. AIBU to ask (insist?) that the heating is on during the day?

I keep mine at 13.5 during the day. I wear warm cloths. It’s absolutely fine.

I'd buy a heated blanket or a small electric heater and heat the room you are in. I can understand they don't want to heat the whole house but 13c is too low. I can only get mine to about 15c so the heated throw is a godsend.

Any links? Because it’s not what most health organisations say.

I could be wrong, but I also think any office is supposed to maintain this as a 'minimum' standard.

Having said that .. my hot water bottle is a staple in freezing days at home 🙂

That’s akin to living in an igloo!

You can spend the money as you choose.

No it isn’t.

Yes we use cooking apples! Apple crumble or pie or baked apples - great puds for winter!!

@cardibach sorry , just rushing out the door. This is a summary of the MM programme which is on BBC sounds. I did read a paper on the benefits of cooler temperatures and will try and find it at the weekend.

Even the government I think, within its official advice on temperatures, says there is little robust evidence to support temperatures of above 18c unless you’re elderly or have a health condition.

If people find temperatures of 18c and under uncomfortable, does that mean you’re putting your heating on in the summer too?

Well, my house isn’t under 18 in the summer. I set a thermostat (it’s in my living space) for 16 most of the time and 18 in the mornings and evenings. It doesn’t come on in the summer. It’s usually hotter inside than out, right?
Edit to add - I’m really uncomfortable under 17.5, so 15 is nuts. Did Moseley do a proper study? It’s easy to say…

You're there for a few days! Why the long, long post?

Have you asked if you can have the heating on while you're staying and wfh?

If they say no, why not go home?

It is for me and everyone else in the house.

Not if you wear the right clothes and your house isn’t damp. It doesn’t feel at all cold to me. Cool- but not cold.

Being cold would not improve my mood!

Except it's NOT an automatic qualification for the Winter Fuel Payment based on age anymore, thanks to those twisters Rachel Reeves and Starmer. The threshold for qualification is RIDICULOUSLY low, actual poverty level. Many older people are terrified of running up big fuel bills thanks to the energy price rises... and this is the result. Pensioners living with their house at 13c during the day😕

You are very unusual then. At 13 I feel ill.

I wear the right cloth3s. Thermal base layer, thick joggers, oodie and a fleece blanket. Still freezing and uncomfortable at below 17.5

This isn’t though - these particular pensioners have money.

If people find temperatures of 18c and under uncomfortable, does that mean you’re putting your heating on in the summer too?

My heating comes on per the thermostat rather than season, so in theory yes.

I can assure you that they absolutely are NOT short of money. I think I've made it clear across my posts that they are pretty well off.

There are possibly many reasons why they are not heating the house but fuel poverty isn't one of them.

I'd go out and buy a halogen heater, cheap to run and fine for direct heat. Say I hope you don't mind but I've been so cold I felt ill. It's cheap to run (about 12p/hour) and I'll give you money towards the electric. Are you staying there for free or paying towards food etc?

I could not/would not stay in such a cold house especially if they can afford to put the heating on, it's disregarding guest comfort.

I think it depends on the house. Is a house is damp or on the damp side it feels a lot colder. My old house felt freezing at 17- my current house is ok at 13.5 during the day and also fine at 15.5 during the evening.itvis a dry house.

13c is a ridiculous and very unhealthy temperature for a home. The only time that could be justified is if the owner was struggling in real poverty and then, they should receive some help.

I’m knackered just reading about their activities 😳