Who is agonising over that central heating switch

tkachev

Hi Alan,

I hate the cold and it makes the joints ache but we have had toput the heating on for the entire daytime at the moment.I got the OH to check the electricity and gas meter reading and we have used as much electricity in one month as we did the last quarter(£100) so heading for a £300 bill this quarter for electricity alone .One problem is using the tumble drier which is currently on at least once a day if not more.I do have to do a lot of washing too.Heating is by gas.
I am not going to worry about it this year but will do in the future as the savings diminish.
Best wishes
Elizabeth

chris7

Oh I do sympathise with this one.


It really is so cold but I trying hard to keep the expense down and just couldn't afford to put the switch up. I ration the times the heating is on and just add extra layers or dive in a hot bath for a while. It's no fun is it?
Think those snuggle blankets are a good idea, I am sat here now with a blanket over me knees. I send warm hugs to those of you in this particular boat too.
Chris

sharmaine

Hi Alan
We put extra lagging in the roof last winter and also had cavity wall insulation put in last summer. It has helped to keep the house at a nice temperature. Mind you today has been freezing and we had to boost it a couple of times. I've also invested in thermals which help - thermal socks, vest and lady janes!!!! I'm now warm as toast. We have the heating on 3 times a day during cold weather once in the morning so it's nice when we get up; mid afternoon and in the evening.

While we suffer the electrical and gas companies are making millions of pounds in proft. It doesn't seem morally right to me.

Sharmaine

alanmancunian wrote:

I'm cold......and getting colder, and my joints are going to get worse by the hour....... winter has arrived.
My hand has gone towards the heating thermostat switch, but I can't bring myself to actualy switch it on ( something to do with the £350. quarterly bill ).
Who else is in the same boat.......I'm gonna have to make a decision soon.... in fact very soon.
Alanmancunian

rosyred

Hi alan.

I hate being cold so my heating is on... my last bill was around 200 but i would far rather be warm than suffer what the cold brings.... I dont have a fire in the living room but i close the door, and the only other hearter on is the one in the bedroom ..

Plzzz dont stay cold .. x

elnafinn

I go out and benefit from other people's heating Today I was having lunch in a local hotel, all paid for and yesterday I was on the train and then at my daughter in law's home.

I tend to do some cooking and ironing if I am cold - shut the kitchen doors and it soon gets warm in there. I sometimes go to bed in the day for 30 - 60 minutes with the electric blanket on and a heated wheatbag. Warm as toast then.

Luv
Elna x

jenzie06

I wear a scarf all the time even in the house as it keeps me surprisingly warm. We're on a limited budget (like everyone I suppose!) so I worry about the bills especially the heating and try everything before I put it on. Having a hot drink and a blanket over you can help too.
But really, if you are still cold - put the heating on! Life's too short to be cold and miserable!

frogmorton

Problem is
the more immobile you are the colder you get...it's true and I don't know the answer. Those blankets are great if you are trapped in one room poorly, but otherwise moving around is the best thing :shock:
The scarf is a good idea as is keeping one room warm if you can't afford to heat them all. I always wear me vest and socks make a difference too....if you can get 'em on
And there's nothing like a hot water bottle eh? :!:
Pixie is right we all MUST keep warm.
Love
Toni x

jaspercat

Hi, we have our central heating on a timer, 7am to 1pm and 4.30pm until 10pm, other than that we wrap up in jumpers, with doulble socks and gloves for me, we always make a habit of going to bed around 10.30pm, and have our hot water bottles, I am not going to be cold for anyone love Jaspercatxx

trisher

I ordered a feather bed. It goes ontop of your mattress. With the Duvet as well it is so warm.

Last night I was sweating and had to take the duvet off for a while.

We have no heating on when we go up to bed, just get in and you are warm.

I know it may be too late for Christmas, but we were talking about this a while ago on here. Saying if family didn't know what to buy you tell them to club together

Some said that they were going to do that.


If you can afford one, get one that is sewn in squares as this stops the the feathers was going to one corner.

Trish xxx

livinglegend

jaspercat wrote:

Hi, we have our central heating on a timer, 7am to 1pm and 4.30pm until 10pm, other than that we wrap up in jumpers, with doulble socks and gloves for me, we always make a habit of going to bed around 10.30pm, and have our hot water bottles, I am not going to be cold for anyone love Jaspercatxx

We do the same, heating on a timer. We also had the loft fully insulated and cavity walls done for free. It's like living in a tea cosy.

If you need the loft or wall insulation updating or fitting then contact Warmfront at www.warmfront.co.uk and ask if you qualify for a grant. I didn't think I would qualify, but they sorted it. My elec and gas companies paid for most of it, free. Warmfront will visit you, offer advice and sort out all the grants and work for you. Even if you don't qualify they will still offer insulation advice for free.

Don't freeze, just ask.


Joseph 8)

markc1

pixyandfaries wrote:

please put your heating on hun , hypothermia is a very sierous thing, can you turn rads off in room you dont need, can you also get the heating grant? please ring ya council ask them if there is anything you can claim to help, also ring stay warm, i did this and im 47 they come round check ya insulation and boiler ect its free and you may well get wot you need for free too, they said my house if fine and if my boiler brakes down im to ring them first they have funds for this from the goverment . try and keep one room warm hun ,extra layers ect, if ya useing a gas fire make sure its been checked if ya closing all ya doors though........................ anyone would thing i work in home care !! i will not have my clients cold !

Couldn't agree more....don't be cold i know its expensive having the heating on but your health comes first

miss_l

I agree - health must come first.
But i do understand your situatuion. I'm 28 live on my own in the house i own and have to pay a mortgage and all the bills without any support - the heating it just another £££ i dont have.
However i do think it's needed as it gets colder - as people have said there are places you can go for support.

salamander

I'm with you Mark, it is my priority. Though I do think the high prices are scandalous. Do people know that some energy suppliers give lower tariff rates for people on low incomes? Mine does. Worth getting in touch with them and asking, you could save quite a bit of money - it's something like 20% off. If your supplier doesn't offer a discount, switch to one that does!

salamander

alanmancunian wrote:

Thanks for all you replies,
I have teken your advice and put the heating on. Funny enough , the gas bill cme this morning, and I can't bring myself to open it, but I know the next one will be even bigger. Thanks again

so has mine. However, it seems they owe me this time - never, ever happened before, especially during winter - though I thought my bills were quite high over the past six months. The tariff is called Energy Plus if you are with Southern Electric. Well worth enquiring about. Sorry Alan, don't mean to gloat and I don't know your circumstances but maybe you would be eligble for some discount too?

salamander

sally36 wrote:

alanmancunian wrote:

Thanks for all you replies,
I have teken your advice and put the heating on. Funny enough , the gas bill cme this morning, and I can't bring myself to open it, but I know the next one will be even bigger. Thanks again

so has mine. However, it seems they owe me this time - never, ever happened before, especially during winter - though I thought my bills were quite high over the past six months. The tariff is called Energy Plus if you are with Southern Electric. Well worth enquiring about. Sorry Alan, don't mean to gloat and I don't know your circumstances but maybe you would be eligble for some discount too?

Just realised from your name you are from up north - duh! But your energy supplier may do a similar tariff, or maybe you can even get southern elec as the name doesn't necessarily mean they won't supply you in other parts of the country.

livinglegend

sally36 wrote:

Just realised from your name you are from up north - duh! But your energy supplier may do a similar tariff, or maybe you can even get southern elec as the name doesn't necessarily mean they won't supply you in other parts of the country.

It doesn't matter now, they supply anyone anywhere with gas/electric. I have used uswitch.com and they sorted out the cheapest for me online and you can switch with most suppliers online through the site.
http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/

Beats freezing anyday. But wrap up warm if you go out.

Joseph 8)

salamander

delboy wrote:

We've just switched from Southern Electric, they keep putting the direct debit up. Now with Scottish who have a better unit rate.

Do you get Energy Plus with them?
I can't face switching again. Last time I switched from Npower it took 6 months to sort it all out!