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This winter, how will you beat the energy bills

64 replies

bubblesbubbles11 · 27/07/2022 10:49

Anticipating that I am going to be trying to put the heating on, well basically never! can anyone recommend anything like onesies or oodies or thermal stuff they are going to buy to ensure their bodies are warm at home?
I know we are just emerging from a heat wave and all that but I am really worried about it now and would like to be well prepared in advance for both myself and my kids (aged 13 girl and 11 boy).

Any recommendations much appreciated.

OP posts:
DarlingCoffee · 27/07/2022 11:06

I bought a Sienna one sized blanket/hoodie for my DD from Amazon after being recommended for the brand here on MN. Would buy again as the quality was good and she loves wearing it.

Somuchchoice · 27/07/2022 11:14

Fleece onesies

caringcarer · 27/07/2022 11:22

I got an electric fleece blanket that is very cheap to run to put over me in evenings on sofa. I never have heating on overnight in bedrooms as I get asthma and it gets worse if air gets too dry. I normally put on underfloor heating in kitchen overnight for cats but I think this winter coming they will have to make do with a flee y blanket instead.

chipsandpeas · 27/07/2022 11:28

my plan is to have the heating on for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour at night
wear fleecy leggings and longsleeved thermal tshirts under clothes and something similar to a oodie from primark as well as a onesie
i have a oil filled radiator which is pretty crappy tbh and wouldnt heat the whole room but close by when working it will help out and i have a electric fleecy blanket i can wrap round me as well as a electric blanket on my bed
and hot water bottles
and depending on the price of petrol i might go into the office a bit more - depends on whats going to cost more

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 27/07/2022 11:42

Uniqlo's heattech thermals, for kids and adults, will keep everyone toastie.

PoundPill · 27/07/2022 12:06

Oodies all round for us works well

PoundPill · 27/07/2022 12:07

Heating on in the morning is a must though to get ready for school and work

Ladyofthepeonies · 27/07/2022 12:25

Slipper boots, mine came from M&S last year and made a huge difference.

Cedarfire · 28/07/2022 08:46

I find proper sheepskin slippers keep my feet so warm and toasty, and if my feet are warm then it’s easier to keep the rest of my body warm. Fleece or fake sheepskin won’t warm you up in the same way.
Ugg boots work too if you’ve already got those, or buy sheepskin boots/slippers. They are expensive but so worth it. I’ve seen used pairs of Uggs/ Bearpaw etc at car boot sales and in charity shops, clean the soles thoroughly and wear inside only. You might even get some cheap on eBay at this time of year.

Cedarfire · 28/07/2022 08:48

I bought some thick fleece joggers which I am going to put on over my jeans when working from home, I can whip them off quickly for the school run etc. Our house is freezing in the winter, I’m not looking forward to working from home this winter!

MissyB1 · 28/07/2022 08:51

thermal base layers. And fleece onsie for ds when he gets in from school. We also have an electric blanket which is cheap to run apparently.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 28/07/2022 08:53

Wooly socks.

Thecupofdoom · 28/07/2022 08:54

Oodies are great if you're just sitting on the sofa. But not very easy to do anything else in. I feel like it's wearing a fat suit. I prefer wearing my dressing gown when I'm working from home.

ChilliPB · 28/07/2022 09:21

Last year I got long socks (knee length!) for the winter and wore them under jeans/trousers. Makes such a difference!
Thermal layers under normal clothes are good - M&S do good base layers.
If I’m WFH and cold I use a hot water bottle/blanket too.

ChipsRoastOrBoiled · 28/07/2022 09:54

We've got 'slankets.' Sleeved blankets that also have a pouch for your feet. They're great for keeping cosy while we're sat watching telly, without being too restrictive.

Last year I bought some vintage eiderdowns on eBay. There's nothing like them for keeping warm in bed. So what if you get the odd feather floating about!

In an M & S outlet I picked up a couple of thermal vests and they've been a revelation! I'm going to get some of those thermal 'long johns' this year, too.

We're planning on spending most of our days in the living room this winter. We have a real fire and my husband's work desk is in there, too. It makes sense to us to keep one room toasty and comfortable if we can't afford to have the central heating on. We're hoping for lots of sunny days so the solar panels can do their magic.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 28/07/2022 10:37

Now is a great time to be buying second hand knitwear or other winter clothes. I got a beautiful charcoal cashmere Arket jumper on Depop for £20 last week. It’s not even slightly bobbled, just not what people wanted to be buying in the heatwave!

Agree with pp re Ugg boots or similar. Again, I bought some this time last year on Depop and wore them as “house shoes” all winter. Really cosy and perfect for nipping out to get the cat or put out the bins too. M&S did a version as outdoor boots which my mum got for inside.

I find fleecy synthetic fabrics make me static-y and a bit sweaty, so don’t like wearing them, but I LOVE my Lakeland heated throw. It’s a bit of an investment but possibly cheaper out of season. (If you have a cat or dog it might end up being a battle…)

DSGR · 28/07/2022 11:45

I think if you have children it’s hard not to put the heating on while they eat breakfast or come home from school. My parents and grandparents grew up without heating and they say some of their worst memories of childhood was the cold. Yes they survived but it was hard.
Obviously some people have no choice.
werw aiming to cut down by using our fleece blankets more and thinking of getting an electric one

TheFlis12345 · 28/07/2022 11:49

Your blood is closest to the surface in your ankles and wrists so keeping those warm makes a massive difference. I wore M&S thermal knee socks and uggs last year, plus cashmere wrist warmers when working and was surprised how much difference it made.

LadyPoison · 28/07/2022 12:29

I have bought another couple of Haramaki. They are stretchy bands that you wear around your lower back. The theory is that by keeping this area well insulated you are kept warmer. They really do seem to work. I discovered them last year and rapidly bought a second one.

I did laugh though remembering my Welsh grandmother complaining I'd catch my death if I didn't keep my kidneys warm. It looks like she might have been right.

threesortsofjam · 28/07/2022 12:52

For bedding, layers. We bought sets of teddy fleece bedding, so sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers, followed by a bed spread on the top. The difference was quite immense.

Oh and a hot water bottle.

We often wear fluffy dressing gowns over clothing in winter if we're waiting for the heating to come on or it's too late to put on (we don't have the heating on overnight though I know of some who do).

threesortsofjam · 28/07/2022 12:54

The layers and hot water bottles particularly as that's what we used to do at my grandparents house as they had no central heating, just the fire and range downstairs. They had hundreds (literal piles in a spare bedroom) of blankets, neatly stacked.

SeptimusWarrenSmith · 28/07/2022 12:55

I've rigged my meter. 👌

Fuck em. British Gas/Centrica etc have rigged the bloody country. What I'm doing is small bloody beans in comparison.

threesortsofjam · 28/07/2022 12:55

Though I still remember now the chattering teeth and how freezing it was after a bath, just before getting completely dry.

TheFormidableMrsC · 28/07/2022 12:57

I got an Oodie dupe in Primark last year which was amazing and I barely had heating on. I noticed they are coming in to store now so a good time to buy. Mine was £18.

threesortsofjam · 28/07/2022 13:01

I might invest in some oodies 🤔

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