So fed up of the cold. Any ideas for economically heating one room?

[suiledonne]

Last summer we moved to a rented bungalow which seemed like a great idea at the time.

All open plan, light walls, clean looking laminate floors etc. After years in a dark house decorated in the 70's and never updated in was like a breath of fresh air.

We didn't think of the winter though, did we when we were looking at it on a warm July evening.

I am bloody freezing all the time. Was trying to be tough about it and put on some more layers but I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

The dds need a bath, no way I can strip them off.

We have oil heating but it costs a fortune to keep the house anything more than above zero.

Open fire in the open plan living area but a candle would be as effective.

Any advice other than move?

I hear we are in for another cold spell.

OK, we folks of the 'property' section can probably come up with advice on this one.

Can you tell us a bit more about the house? How much insulation do you have in the ceilings? Do you have the doors and windows draft-stripped yet? You say you've got an open fire - would this mean that you have an open chimney?

There are a few issues around making houses warmer - one is cutting down on air movement around the house (i.e. drafts), one is keeping the heat in better (i.e. insulation and drafts), and one is more effective use of your oil.

I'd recommend blocking up your chimney, myself. An open fire gives out very little heat, and you're losing centrally heated air up the chimney meanwhile. You can either do it temporarily, using a 'chimney balloon', or you can ask your landlord to block it up more permanently with some hardboard.