Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Anyone trying not to have heating on

830 replies

TheOpalFox · 21/09/2025 20:21

Anyone else tried to not have heating on? Even tho your cold? It’s 8 degrees and I’m cold but can’t afford to have heating on all the time :( what a way to live!!!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/09/2025 22:08

FrangipaniBlue · 21/09/2025 22:07

This is third time I’ve seen you say “medicate it”…… you know it’s not that easy right?

Not all of us can ‘medicate’ it.

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:08

EmpressOfTheThread · 21/09/2025 22:05

I'm just wondering what kind of consultant this person is. 🙃

I'm wondering if pp has heard a couple of words but misunderstood the details.

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:09

FancyQuoter · 21/09/2025 22:07

Oh I so would love to know that as well 😂

His respiratory consultant who pointed out that his worsening COPD was caused by the dry, heated air he was in at work? He specifically told him that having a cooler home is better.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/09/2025 22:09

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:01

Pretty much! It’ll be on for 15 minutes of a morning and evening when a frost is forecast, only enough to get hot water moving through the pipes. Never any damp.

Sounds horrible. Damp, cold and unwelcoming.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/09/2025 22:10

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:09

His respiratory consultant who pointed out that his worsening COPD was caused by the dry, heated air he was in at work? He specifically told him that having a cooler home is better.

Weird.

My dm had COPD. She was told to keep warm and dry by her consultants. And gp

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:11

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:09

His respiratory consultant who pointed out that his worsening COPD was caused by the dry, heated air he was in at work? He specifically told him that having a cooler home is better.

Cooler, not cold.
The recommendations are normally around 21 in living area and 18 in bedrooms, and if course to air rooms when not in them.

EmpressOfTheThread · 21/09/2025 22:11

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:09

His respiratory consultant who pointed out that his worsening COPD was caused by the dry, heated air he was in at work? He specifically told him that having a cooler home is better.

Ok,, cooler than his workplace? Not necessarily cold.
I'm sorry to hear he has COPD, but genuinely, he needs to keep reasonably warm.

FrangipaniBlue · 21/09/2025 22:11

EmpressOfTheThread · 21/09/2025 21:46

That's outside - you won't be wearing a T-shirt in that temperature!

Yep walked home from the gym in joggers and a t-shirt 🤣

If I were to guess I’d say it’s about 16/17 inside the house.

SoMentallyDrained · 21/09/2025 22:12

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/09/2025 22:01

Everyone’s probably too cold.

Well I did think too hot/cold but didn't want to say in case everyone started throwing stuff at me

AngelinaFibres · 21/09/2025 22:12

The oil tank is full for when the thermostat drops and the heating automatically comes on. The top shed is full of firewood for the 2 woodburners and I've lit one of them for a few evenings .

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:12

EmpressOfTheThread · 21/09/2025 22:11

Ok,, cooler than his workplace? Not necessarily cold.
I'm sorry to hear he has COPD, but genuinely, he needs to keep reasonably warm.

yes, which he does by heating his body. Not the home. His consultant specifically said the windows should be open for at least 8 hours a day. You do not need central heating to be on 24/7, or really at all until it’s below freezing.

LBFseBrom · 21/09/2025 22:13

I did out it on during the week but it's warmed up again since then. I like to be warm and will put it on as usual when I need to.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/09/2025 22:13

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 21:49

No, central heating has a smell. It’s musty and makes the house smell unclean. Horrible invention

But it must have been invented for a reason right?🙄

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:13

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:11

Cooler, not cold.
The recommendations are normally around 21 in living area and 18 in bedrooms, and if course to air rooms when not in them.

Edited

That’s far too hot.

our house averages 13 across the year, and that’s more than enough.

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:13

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:12

yes, which he does by heating his body. Not the home. His consultant specifically said the windows should be open for at least 8 hours a day. You do not need central heating to be on 24/7, or really at all until it’s below freezing.

He's breathing air from within the home though.
Breathing cold air will not be helpful.

Ihateslugs · 21/09/2025 22:14

ItsFridayIminLoveJS · 21/09/2025 20:28

I put mine on today for first time..but l came home from Greece two days ago where it was 33 degrees... l pay monthly .. the same amount all year round.. so im always in credit by time Autumn/ winter.. so l can afford to have it on whenever... plus l became an OAP last year.. missed out on the fuel allowance...but will receive it this year.
But I'll also take an holiday to Lanzarote/ Fueterventura for some hot weather too in November and February.

Have you checked that you will get the WFA this year, I thought even after Labour reinstated it, only those on pension credit will get it?

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:14

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:13

That’s far too hot.

our house averages 13 across the year, and that’s more than enough.

Not according to most health guidelines.
13 is far too cold.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/penny-woods/

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:15

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:13

He's breathing air from within the home though.
Breathing cold air will not be helpful.

According to his consultant it is. I’m going to trust them over you.

and re. health guidelines - I’m sure that’s the case if you’re going to sit in t-shirts all day. But when you’re dressed adequately, you’re fine.

NoWordForFluffy · 21/09/2025 22:16

It's been lovely and sunny today, with a chilly northerly breeze. This meant the front of the house was nice and warm (and we sat on the balcony it the afternoon), and the back was chilly and windy, meaning we got 3 loads of washing dry!

We've got the heating off as we don't want it coming on yet, as the house is mostly quite warm, though drops lower if we keep the windows open for a bit too long. It soon heats up when we close the windows though, hence not needing heating.

It's only our second autumn in this house. I think the heating went on in October last year. Once the house doesn't reheat itself to a comfortable level on its own once windows are closed we'll turn it on to be controlled by the thermostat.

We do tend to have the bedroom window open all year. We have a 2.5 tog duvet for most of the year (swapping for a bedspread in summer).

As for @cardibachpersistently saying 'medicate it' like a stuck record, it's not always easy to get the right mix of hormones with HRT to sort all issues. Sometimes you'll just be left with symptoms, no matter what. HRT doesn't necessarily solve everything.

As for central heating smelling? That shouldn't be a thing. I'd suggest a service / heating system replacement!

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:16

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:15

According to his consultant it is. I’m going to trust them over you.

and re. health guidelines - I’m sure that’s the case if you’re going to sit in t-shirts all day. But when you’re dressed adequately, you’re fine.

Look at the NHS guidelines. Did you actually hear his consultant say '13'?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/09/2025 22:17

DontReinMeIn · 21/09/2025 22:12

yes, which he does by heating his body. Not the home. His consultant specifically said the windows should be open for at least 8 hours a day. You do not need central heating to be on 24/7, or really at all until it’s below freezing.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Whats the fucking point?!

Just turn it on below freezing. 😂😂😂I’d tell him to shove it where the sun don’t shine.

He seriously told an elderly sick person not to
out their heating on u til it gets below freezing.?!

He needs to be struck off. That is terrible advice. The blood thickens when people are cold which makes elderly people much more prone to strokes. And what about hypothermia? Honestly you couldn’t make this up.

This thread is hilarious🤣🤣🤣

theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 21/09/2025 22:18

I went out in a sleeveless dress Friday night but it's been chilly today 🥶

I'll put the heating on when I need it whether that's September/December/July. I cannot be arsed with the competitive heating wars on MN 🙄

FrangipaniBlue · 21/09/2025 22:18

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 21/09/2025 22:08

Not all of us can ‘medicate’ it.

Quite.

JudgeJ · 21/09/2025 22:18

Bippybop · 21/09/2025 20:52

I cant sleep if my window is closed.
Open all year round day and night.

Same here, I've been known to clear snow off the indoor window sill!

AlviarinAesSedai · 21/09/2025 22:18

I pay my gas bill and if want heating on it’s going on. I’m not sitting on the cold.
I’m normally quite warm, but I like a warm house in the autumn. Especially when it’s raining like it did yesterday.
Unless you have no money, I don’t understand being a martyr.
We had bad snow a couple of years ago in November.