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Original poster

Best way to keep my dad warm apart from have the heating on 24.7

88 replies

TheOpalFox · 15/12/2025 15:31

Sadly I can’t have my heating on 24.7!!!! And my dad is elderly and sits in his chair all day.
Whats the cheapest heater to run? Someone said an oil filled radiator? Someone else said halogen? Thankyou I have it on 21 degrees and he’s still cold so need a heater by him? Thanks

OP posts:
OnlyTomSaidThat · 15/12/2025 15:32

Could you get heated clothing or blankets?

LiveLaughGoblin · 15/12/2025 15:32

Heated blanket! I have one that was about £40 from Amazon and it’s sooooo nice and toasty.

murasaki · 15/12/2025 15:32

We got a heated throw for my PiL as he's reluctant to put the heating on just for him. It seems to work nicely and he can also put it on his bed for a bit. You can get battery operated ones so they're not stuck by a plug.

Unicornsarefluffy · 15/12/2025 15:33

A heated blanket.

This one has lasted me two years. It’s very warm. So much so I often turn it down (I am always cold). It saves me having the heating up high when I am working.

www.dreamlanduk.co.uk/products/relaxwell-deluxe-alaskan-husky-faux-fur-heated-throw

murasaki · 15/12/2025 15:33

Heat the person not the room, basically.

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 15/12/2025 15:33

Definitely a heated blanket! My mother is 95 and loves hers.

snowibunni · 15/12/2025 15:35

Heated blanket. Make sure it's one with a switch off / thermostat feature so he doesn't cook!

In my experience those oil filled radiators are useless.

GasperyJacquesRoberts · 15/12/2025 15:35

Another recommendation for a heated throw. I checked the one I got for my mother and if it's on all day it costs about 10p in electricity. They're really efficient.

EyeLevelStick · 15/12/2025 15:36

Yes my dad has a heated blanket which works well for him. It’s lovely soft and heavy. And a heated pad thing that he can put round his neck.

If the room he was in was heated enough for him my poor DSM would have to wear a sundress and flip flops!

ladyofshertonabbas · 15/12/2025 15:37

heated blanket, fingerless gloves, hot water bottle, soft hat (I wear a Seasalt headband, he might not be so into that, scarf. Also dehumidifier makes house feel warmer.

Troublein · 15/12/2025 15:38

Heated gilet and a heated overblanket.

Gilet means that even if he gets out of the chair to go to another room, he's bringing warmth with him (they run off a battery bank that sits in a pocket).
Can also be used for sitting up in bed, going outside or anywhere really.

If he doesn't like sleeveless things, you can get heated long sleeve tops that look more like hoodies.

Heated overblanket will keep his legs warm too if sitting for long periods.

Both very cheap to run.

PashaMinaMio · 15/12/2025 15:39

There’s some good advice here.
My mum is very ancient so feels the cold.
I contacted her utility supplier and asked if they offer complimentary heated blankets/throw? Indeed they do. They sent one to mum, free.
it’s worth asking.

Turnitoffnonagain · 15/12/2025 15:40

Get him a heated throw, they're brilliant. Mine is a Silentnight one, has multiple settings and a 2 hour safety cut off.

murasaki · 15/12/2025 15:41

PashaMinaMio · 15/12/2025 15:39

There’s some good advice here.
My mum is very ancient so feels the cold.
I contacted her utility supplier and asked if they offer complimentary heated blankets/throw? Indeed they do. They sent one to mum, free.
it’s worth asking.

Ooh, interesting. We might try that as a spare for him, I didn't know they did that.

Tigercrane · 15/12/2025 15:44

Feather duvet, second the heated blanket as well.

darkmoor · 15/12/2025 15:45

There are lots of tips on this, including a comparison of costs, on Money Saving Expert linked below:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/heat-the-human-not-the-home-save-energy/

TheDevilFindsWorkForIdleMums · 15/12/2025 15:52

Heated throw......I have the dreamland one. DP got me it years ago, everything I plug it in I say to him this makes up for all the crap presents you've got me over the years tenfold 🤣🤣🤣

EmeraldShamrock000 · 15/12/2025 15:55

Heated blanket and electric hot water bottle, it avoids any spillage.

Thisistyresome · 15/12/2025 16:00

Heated blanket
Heated foot thing
You can get electric gilet.
You could get a small Infra red panel that provides directed heat just at him.

BauhausOfEliott · 15/12/2025 16:09

I second the recommendations of a heated throw/blanket. My mum (82, always freezing for some reason even though she's quite active) loves hers and uses it every evening. I also use one when I work from home and want to avoid having the heating on all day.

I'd also say to make sure he's wearing warm, preferably sheepskin-lined slippers as for some reason having cold feet tends to make the rest of your body feel cold too.

Monty34 · 15/12/2025 16:11

I am afraid older people do feel the cold. And do need the heating on. Cheapest heating will be gas central heating. Electricity and oil are expensive.
By all means get a heated blanket but if the air around is freezing this is not enough.
Is he claiming all he can ? In terms of pension, etc. Nobody should be cold.

Aluna · 15/12/2025 16:11

First things first - does he have thermal vest and long johns on under his clothes, with wool socks & sheepskins slippers?

Secondly, ime 21 is just not warm enough for elderly it needs to be 22-23. If you can’t afford that does he have any savings that could contribute to the bill?

Be warned that elderly can get hypothermia very easily.

Bobbedhairdontcare · 15/12/2025 16:12

My mum has a heated pad behind her back and she loves it. A heated throw would be a tripping hazard for her as she struggles to get up.

BettysRoasties · 15/12/2025 16:13

Definitely a heated blanket we have one for the sofa for sitting and watching tv.