Cheap ways to keep warm when WFH

[gukvguk]

Just had a smart meter installed and the heater I have by my desk during the day is 35p per hour which I'm shocked at. Was using it so as not to turn on full house heating. I'm a warm person usually but it's colder than am used to in my (newish to me) Victorian House.

I'm already in a jumper but can't type in my Oodie as too bulky!

What do other people do that is cheap? I don't mind something with a cost to run but not 35p per hour - and prices will go up when out of contract in Feb too.

Thanks

If I'm making a cup of tea, I boil a bit of extra water and fill a hot water bottle to keep on my lap under a blanket! Keeps me warm for hours...

Sheepskin boots, knitted throw for lap, thermals and layers, knitted shawl, and always a hot water bottle behind my back. If really cold, I add another hot water bottle for my lap / feet and cashmere wrist warmers. Haven't yet resorted to a hat!

I am experimenting with accustoming myself to the thermostat on lower than usual when I do turn the heat on. Only heat the room I'm in, when necessary. Luckily my study is south facing, so at 19 degrees at moment just from the heat of the sun. In the past we would have had the heat at about 20 degrees when on; I am now down to about 18 as my standard, and not turning it on in the mornings. It's a bit like getting used to swimming in a cold sea - I can now happily brave the bathroom at 14 degrees in the morning.

It's reminding me of my youth in freezing cold houses, and I seem to be healthier this year than previously.

Thick fleece lined tights under trousers with fluffy socks and slippers. Have a hot water bottle and wrap yourself with the hot water bottle in a big blaket. A sports bra/bralette is warmer than a regular/no bra, layer a vest, long sleeve top and a cosy thick jumper over the top. Tuck your top into your tights to keep everything snug.

Hot water bottle in a sleeping bag for when it is really cold. It can be pulled all the way to armpit level while not on camera.

I'm now imagining all of us on the thread bundled up in our woolly layers with our warming devices, like people travelling in horse-drawn coaches in 18c/19c.

I do thermal underwear and woolly sweaters, a scarf and thick soled sheepskin slippers. I just googled oodies and there is no way I would ever wear anything as ugly as that!

I'm in Scotland too. It is pretty cold here today and the thermometer in our shed says 4 degrees. After Cop26 I've been trying to cut our heating bills which was why I bought the poncho. If it is only me in the house and I'm working I don't put the heating on until evening.

Hot water bottle
Candles
Drink warm drinks
Hot lunch
Exercise
Fingerless gloves

@MeltedButter: candles is interesting - does that make an appreciable difference to the warmth or is it more for coziness?

Another vote for heated throw here. Read about them on a thread on here and have never looked back. Currently wrapped around knees (arse cheeks slightly too hot)

I’m in Scotland and the snow is piling up outside.

I think a mistake many make is to “put on a jumper” thinking it’s warm - but actually is man-made fibres and as effective as a Tesco carrier bag.

Natural fibres all the way.

Currently wearing an enormous woollen poncho. I look like I’ve just arrived by horseback in the mid-west to pan for gold.

Predictable, but layers. I always have two layers on my top half, usually thermal under layer, the long sleeved ones from M&S that are slightly fleecy on the inside.

Definitely repeat the recommendation for a heated throw too. Even if only on your lap so it can’t be seen on camera, makes you feel so much warmer all over. I often reach for the throw before resorting to the heating.

The last thing you probably feel like, but going for a walk on your lunch break gets the blood pumping and the house always feels comparatively warmer when you get home.

One of the main reasons I'm back in the office!

Everything others have said. Last winter I bought thermal tops which helped. Wool jumpers (or for any item of clothing) are much better than synthetic jumpers - alpaca wool is 7 times warmer than sheeps wool.

I am wearing 2 pairs of socks in the house for the first time ever today. I had cold feet even with slippers yesterday.
I am a big fan og Gillets for keeping warm generally.

@Mantlemoose

One of the main reasons I'm back in the office!

May have to start doing this myself. Is anyone else tempted back in just for the free hearing, or would you rather freeze at
home than for in?

Don't think anyone else has mentioned it but if I get chilly in the afternoon I may hope into bed with the laptop.

For anyone still using hot water bottles I highly recommend an electric hot water bottle or heat pad.

Out of the hundreds of pounds I have spent on crap from Amazon over the last 5 years this is the best and most used thing ever and it was something like 25 quid.

It's a life saver.

It's so much easier than faffing with boiling water and it's more efficient , it stays hot for hours. I just Chuck it up my jumper and also use it to heat the beds.

@colditalianpizza

For anyone still using hot water bottles I highly recommend an electric hot water bottle or heat pad.

Out of the hundreds of pounds I have spent on crap from Amazon over the last 5 years this is the best and most used thing ever and it was something like 25 quid.

It's a life saver.

It's so much easier than faffing with boiling water and it's more efficient , it stays hot for hours. I just Chuck it up my jumper and also use it to heat the beds.

Unlike a heated throw you can easily walk around with it.

This is the one I got.
One of the comments mentioned how it can puff up and stop getting hot but he gives an easy method to let the extra air out.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079YCMCWQ/ref=cmswwremmapiglttfabcA1K9WN46BMA7NR5NNEHW??encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Wool baselayers, wool socks, sheepskin slippers, a blanket and a hot water bottle on the lap.

Ski-style base layer - so thick/fleece-lined/merino, not the thin Uniqlo style. Try Mountain Warehouse and Sweaty Betty.

Tracksuit bottoms & jumper over.

Uggs or similar, especially if you have wooden floors. My Uggs never leave the house - they're my slippers.

Hot water bottle on your lap/core.

Hat.

You don't have to look ridiculous, but if you have a really good base layer on you'll be toasty.

I wfh in a bedroom. I set up my heated airer balanced on the bed and shut the door. Keeps the room nice and warm.

Only works if you have a heated airer, and you have washing to dry!

I also have a small oil radiator that does the job too.

@Mantlemoose

One of the main reasons I'm back in the office!

Windows have to be open in my office and the heating is v temperamental so it's a no go for me! We even had an email from the owner saying he is happy to let the dress code go and we can wear coats/scarves/gloves whilst in the office. I went in a few weeks ago and took a thick cardigan but still ended up with my coat over my knees in the afternoon.

wear fleece tops, fleece lined joggers or trousers and sit with a hot water bottle on your lap, make sure you wear slippers.

All the layers, but I do love my heated throw!
I don’t know how much it costs to run, but I can tell you that my combined electricity and gas is £2.20 a day at the moment when I don’t have heating on at all, but do regularly use lights, cooking appliances (not a kettle user though) shower, dishwasher, washer and dryer. And that includes the throw going on all day.
Oh and my daughter having hers on for maybe 4 hours in the evening!

Another vote for a heated throw - it's an absolute godsend!