I know I know, global warming etc, and don't ask me how i'm going o pay the bill, but it's -bastard freezing out there, and I just can't bear to feel cold.
Any hardy/Northern/mental* types want to tell me they've got no heating on at all?
*May actually be the same thing.
Heating on here (my face fuzz froze on todays ride!)
its baltic here too and im way up in scotland. i have just found a new setting for the heating......Nuclear aparently!! its chuffin roasting!!!
it's been on constantly since the beginning of the cold snap, once that changes it can go back to timed,
It was on until this morning and now its not; its bust and we're freezing. Can't get hold of landlord until Monday. Its been a bad week all in all.
We've got it on here too... it's not making much difference though if I'm honest! Think my bones are frozen from todays ride. I'm regaining feeling in my fingers some hours later. Think I'm going to turn my heating thermostat up. Bought my mrs a coat the other day as she complained she was cold [was a riding jacket]
It's on the same timings it's always on over the winter, but obviously the boiler runs a bit more when it's colder. Been sticking it on occasionally through the day when we're in too over Christmas. The house is well insulated, so it's generally pretty warm, and obviously wearing a jumper too.
It's colder if you're [url= http://torminalis.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-has-mostly-been-cold-so-far.html ]living in a tent[/url], I bet.
Last place I lived in, had communal heating from a central boiler. Which meant really low bills. Many people just whacked it on full, and opened windows if it got too warm. Bastards. I only ever had it on when it was below about 3 or 4 degrees outside, as there was simply no need. Everyone else's flat warmed mine up a treat.
Oh, how I long for that wonderful, free heat...
Is that bloke living in a tent because he's been made homeless, or becasue he's mad?
If the latter, then he should be locked up for his own good.
-11??? Mental...
Mine on constant since the cold spell began too. Latest bill from nPower, £137 per month! We are 2 adults and a toddler in a 4 bed semi. The washing machine never stops, we have showers, daughter has a bath and we use the dishwasher every other day. We have cavity wall insulation, a combi boiler, double glazing, energy efficient bulbs everywhere, suspect the loft insulation needs urgent attention. Cost sounds high to me.
Had all the windows open for a couple of hours earlier today but we did put the heating on this afternoon. Opening the windows every day and investing in a dehumidifier has got rid of the condensation problems we had and I think you feel the cold less if the air is dry. heating went off about an hour ago and it's still perfectly warm.
We're the same - heating has been on virtually constant since the start of the cold weather. I'm sure I feel the cold more than I used to, but I had 6 layers on today when walking the dog!
MrsT
My CH packed up 3 years ago, didn't bother fixing it as the plumbers were all like "ooft, the boilers ****ed, £1200 to fix" etc. After a helpful thread on another forum I bought a new synchron motor a couple of months ago, from Plumb centre for £24 and hey presto, CH works, thermo's been set at a staedy 12 degree's ever since, even the cats enjoy been inside now 😀
12∫C?? That's Arctic! Mine gets set to 20∫C during the day, and turned down to 16∫C at night. I can't bear the cold.
having been the last 2 winters with no heating, 12 is positively Mediterranean 🙂
12 degrees? My fridge is set to that.
It was on pretty much constantly until 10 days ago when I got my gas bill. Its now on for half the day and the house is ****ing freezing. We've got two duvets on the bed, and sit with blankets over us in the lounge!!
Mines on constant too, but stat controlled, it comes on every 3 or 4 hours for 15 mins or so. Dread to see what my bill will be, normally my gas bill is about £9 a month lol.
I finally finished plumbing my fire in, so I've got some logs on it.
I have heating in the house, in the pump house, in the well. everywhere i can think of to make sure i stay warm and the water keeps flowing.
Pump house? Well? Where do you live?!
Through the week, our heating is timed to come on at 5am and stays on until 8:30am, thermostat-controlled obviously. It comes on again at 3pm and stays on until 10pm, again thermostat-controlled but a little lower in the evening.
It doesn't need to be on through the night as we're in bed under a duvet or through the day because we're all out. Actually, technically it is on but it'll only fire up if the house falls below 5C, which I think is fair enough 🙂
Three bed semi, with double glazing, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. Gas combi condenser boiler. Two electric showers per day for us and a bath for our two kids. No dishwasher. Washing machine does maybe seven loads a week, with the tumble dryer used only very occasionally.
I think we pay £85 a month on direct debit for gas and electricity.
[i]Pump house? Well? Where do you live?![/i]
In the country, no mains water.
at the moment i just turn mine off when i go out and about 1hr before i go to bed, my bill is going to be steep! i dont usually have a problem with the cold apart from my feet
"Not allowed" it on here. Not hard northern types either!
I'd have it on personally, but then again, I don't fancy paying the bill either. That said, we do have a wood burner, 2 sheds full of wood, and I've got rather handy with both an axe and a chainsaw of late.
Currently sat in front of VERY nice warm fire burning away feeling rather smug. Though only a hot water bottle to keep me company once I go to bed! 😕
kept the air-conditioning off these past few nights. it's dropped to 19C in the early hours. quite comfortable...
*smirks quietly to himself and walks off*
We just leave ours on all year and it comes on if it needs to.
We've just had a refund on the electricity bill and the gas people owe us money!
Oop north myself - was sat with the back door open last week enjoying the brisk air, no heating on windows open at night too.
Bunch of pussy's
with off roading on this one - heating get 30 mins in morning and 30 mins before kids go to bed ... what do you people do / wear when you go outside... it is winter it is cold live with it...if you think your house is cold go outside for 30 mins and come back in toastie warm... do wear lots of clothes though inside that is the trick ... now find everyone elses house just far to warm.
my heating has been constantly on since Christmas Eve - left on tickover all night, while at work etc, but comfy warm when in, I think its cheaper then starting to warm house from cold every day ??
I think its cheaper then starting to warm house from cold every day ??
There was a discussion on this on the old forum a while ago, I think. This only works if you live in a big old building like a church, IIRC.
I think its cheaper then starting to warm house from cold every day ??[i]
My combi boiler is getting on for eighteen yrs old, maybe not too efficient gas usage wise, maybe it would work out cheaper with a newer efficient boiler ? I
Mines on all the time,set to 20degrees, just works off the digital thermostat thingy on the wall here. If its abit chilly just put it up to 21 or22 and that does the trick, the boiler very rarely seems to come on, I supose the house has warmed up. And Im in credit !
And Im in credit !
But how much are you paying each month?
My combined gas/electric bill went up from £77 per month to £104.
Thing is, now i'm single my usage should be much lower. I have the heat on for an hour before i get up to take the chill off, then from 4:30 til 9pm set at 17/18 degrees. However, my windows are shot so really need to get new windows & doors, where i'll find the cash i don't know 🙁
Front room is the draughtiest & coldest room as well.
Only run the washing machine 1-2 times a week & don't use the tumble drier anymore - all hung in front of the radiators.
Hopefully i'll be in credit by March.
Put on a fleece ffs!!!
I am!
Two t-shirts, one fleece & two pair of socks.
Have been known to wear the above plus fleecy bathrobe when it's really cold. Pretty mild at the moment though - compared to last week.
Good question MikeT!
About£70 a month for gas and 'leccy.
This was reduced last year from £100 plus, when I was REALY in credit!
The meter reader has just been this week, so should be getting a balance type thing, so should probably say "hope im in credit"
Sulks off to turn heating down and snuggle up with dog...
We have a timed thermostat so technically the heating is "on" all the time, its just set at a different temp according to the stat. Overnight is set at 18c, during the day 17c. Living hours set at 19c / 20c.
In my experience the timed stat is cheaper than heating from cold whenever the heating comes on.
[i]"takisawa2
We have a timed thermostat so technically the heating is "on" all the time, its just set at a different temp according to the stat. Overnight is set at 18c, during the day 17c. Living hours set at 19c / 20c.
In my experience the timed stat is cheaper than heating from cold whenever the heating comes on." [/i]
18c Overnight!!!! you must be a pool of sweat 😮
Ours is the same system as yours but the settings are 13c overnight, 18c early mornings and evenings and 16c at all other times.
Oop north myself - was sat with the back door open last week enjoying the brisk air, no heating on windows open at night too.
Many of us Southerners don't have a layer of lard-induced blubber, though.. 😉
I have low blood pressure, and not a lot of body fat, so feel the cold quite a lot. I prefer to be comfortable, than sit there shivering.
Actually, in my experience, it's the Northerners I know, that moan about the cold, the most.
Mind you, they tend to moan about things anyway. Perhaps it's all that moaning, keeps them warm.
All this talk of 12 to 18 degrees- thats not heating, its stopping you from freezing to death(quickly) thats all!
I live in Surrey and pay £45/month for gas and elec but am a bit in debit I think. Live in a largish 4 bed detatched and shut off 1/2 the rooms with the rads turned off. Heating on for an hour in the morning and 4 in the evening. Wife likes a hot water bottle but I was too warm last night - duvet has lots of togs.
I remember my house in the 70s - ice on the inside of the windows when we woke up! No double glazing and some sort of warm air heating system. People aren't tough these days.
Automatic boilers?
Pah.
Coal and wood here so only on once we get back from work during the week and no heat in the morning.
Having loft insulation has helped keep the temp above 5degC on a morning.
Being the son of a coal miner, and growing up with coal-powered heating, I think I have grown to like having warmth on demand rather than having to order it up two hours in advance, and having hot water when you turn on the hot tap! It were grim up north!
Whether its cheaper to heat from cold or keep at a level is a very complex problem, different for each house. Heat loss (and therefor cost spent keeping it there) to the outside world is higher with a higher temp differential, so keeping your house hot means you're throwing more heat out of the window, but on-off heating leaves things like tables, walls etc very cold and IME means you have to heat to a higher temp to overcome the cold downdraughts from the walls to get the same feeling. That said, I was coping with 2 15 min blasts of uncontrolled heating and spending £9 a month. now ive got stat controlled I'm spending £2 a day, which agrees with the physics.
Haven't used any central heating for 2.5 years. Don't have a fire either. Jumpers and socks do the job, mayube a hot water bottle when it gets below freezing.
Heating on constantly here, thermosatically controlled, wife and i work shifts and CBA to set the timer each day to cope with changing hours! Wife gets cold whilst watching Jeremey Kyle when shes on lates otherwise! 😕
Haven't used any central heating for 2.5 years. Don't have a fire either. Jumpers and socks do the job, mayube a hot water bottle when it gets below freezing.
I'm not averse to a little chill, but thats insane.
I live with mrs chuck morris in a two-up-two-down terrace and pay £100 a month for gas and electric.
Heating is on from 3pm - 11pm every day.
In the mornings its cold but it seems pointless firing it up for the sake of an hour.
We have a timed thermostat so technically the heating is "on" all the time
We do too, but it's set to 5C overnight and while we're out during the day.
Coal and wood here so only on once we get back from work during the week and no heat in the morning.
Having loft insulation has helped keep the temp above 5degC on a morning.
Yes butt you live on Teesside. Central heating hasn't made it there yet 😉
We havent had ours on all winter. Having said that the multifuel stove has been burning 24/7 since the wife has been at home with the baby. At the moment, all the wood is free, just takes a bit of time / effort once in a while with the chainsaw and axe.
having skimmed through this thread it seems that 80% of you are soft.
heating on for 1/2hr some mornings if i can be bothered to set the timer and on again from 5.30 to 10.. gas bill is about £120 for the winter/spring quarters.
i think people who have central heating on constantly and work in aircon offices are not doing themselves any favors as they all seem to be constantly ill with colds. just put another jumper on and HTFU. why on earth do people need heating on when they are in bed?? that's what duvets are for.
why on earth do people need heating on when they are in bed?? that's what duvets are for.
Because my head and shoulders still poke out of the duvet (or my feet, its one or the other!) and I end up with a stiff neck every morning. Plus when its that damn cold I dont feel like getting out of bed and going to work.
You are lucky to have heating.
I have no heating and no double glazing, freezing my bloody arse off!!!!!!!!
Ah, poor bumley.
Shall I come round and help keep you warm, with a nice hug?
Because my head and shoulders still poke out of the duvet (or my feet, its one or the other!) and I end up with a stiff neck every morning.
MTFU? 🙂
Plus when its that damn cold I dont feel like getting out of bed and going to work.
That's why heating can be times to come on before you wake up. Which reminds me, now that my kids are sleeping a bit latre in the morning, ours probably doesn't need to come on at 4:30 anymore.
MTFU?
I cant really help that 🙂
That's why heating can be times to come on before you wake up. Which reminds me, now that my kids are sleeping a bit latre in the morning, ours probably doesn't need to come on at 4:30 anymore.
I know. Thanks 🙂 Mine actually gets turned down to 15 overnight, but it never comes on.
MuddyDwarf,
Have you worked out the cost of the gas you use yourself ?
Are your readings 'read' or estimated ??
You will find that by working out the average monthly cost yourself it is often lower than the suppliers figure - never ever take their word for it as all businesses need a cash flow and the energy suppliers are the worst for over charging... I always phone my supplier when they try to put up monthly payments and bollock them.. if its an incorrect judgement by them...
I think leaving it on lowish 24/7 can be more efficient than short hot bursts, as its ages before your house starts to warm up
I've been doing this and have no marked increase in consumption over last year.
To all those in credit - you're meant to be, your winter bills use the credit, I'm £350 in credit but I know that will disapear soon
Do you want my merinos jumper?
I can't stand it anymore because it's way way too hot for me to be honest.
Feeling better?
😉
Yes, Juan, I'll have it! That's very kind of you, too. It'll fit me perfectly.
"MuddyDwarf,
Have you worked out the cost of the gas you use yourself ?
Are your readings 'read' or estimated ??
You will find that by working out the average monthly cost yourself it is often lower than the suppliers figure - never ever take their word for it as all businesses need a cash flow and the energy suppliers are the worst for over charging... I always phone my supplier when they try to put up monthly payments and bollock them.. if its an incorrect judgement by them... "
My current bills are 'estimated' after having the meters read at the beginning of Novemember (i think).
I get completely confused by the way the energy Co.s total up the cost of units used
Been sitting here a bit chilly all day- bloody forgot to turn up the thermo when I got up this morning! Good job it's not too cold today.
Juan, where's that top? Bloody freezing here mate, hurry up!
1 imperial unit roughly = 31kwh, 1 metric unit roughly = 11kwh
the price of which will be on your bill
Don't talk about bills, please. Too frightening.
don't people wear woolly jumpers anymore?
Canna be bothered reading the whole thread but have you generated 69 posts talking about heating? 😆
It's a serious issue, tails!
Perhaps the cold amongst you could utilise this hot air?
put some more ****ing clothes on you daft sods. either that or do some exercise
I got in from band practice this evening, had to turn the heating off & open some windows to cool down. West Yorkshire.
Just got my estimated usage for this year, more or less double last 12 months. I was in credit by just shy of £200, DD still went up from 57.00 to 67.00 per month....but last qtr usage (Gas & Electric) well over my payments... Time to consider emigration I think.
Time to consider emigration I think.
Just don't go to the South Island of New Zealand - they haven't invented central heating yet, and mostly live in un-insulated* wooden houses. And that's in somewhere that gets snow in winter. Jumper-tastic.
Joe
* Actually one house I lived in did have 'insulation', there was a sheet of silver cooking foil between the wallpaper and the wood of the outside wall.
The issue here is not heating - but our atrocious UK insulation standards. I have just spoken to a self builder who use out stuff, and even in the recent -15 near Aviemore, they only turned the heating on for two hours each morning...and used a woodburner in the lounge. They have data-loggers, and the house averaged 19.4*c and it dropped to 16.1* on a cold night...
We all will need to start insulating old houses ASAP. Remember, insulation is (relative the future gas increases) very cheap at present. Draft proofing even more so.