My house is 59.5 degrees

Jane315STARX
Jane315STARX Online Community Member Posts: 933 Pioneering
in Everyday life

Ive got a thermometer in my living room and its absolutely freezing.I simply can't afford to have the heating on all the time.Yesterday I had it on for about 6 hours spaced out from 5am till 11.30pm because my son said he couldn't cope with how freezing it is.My house is over 50 years old.Ive got double glazing,put tape around the door gaps.We are both wearing lots of layers.My loft has insulation.Has anyone got any other suggestions please

Comments

  • yves
    yves Scope Member Posts: 85 Empowering

    What about a heated throw? I have one and they are great and not expensive to run. Also, hot water bottles, warm drinks often. I make hot water, grated ginger and honey instead of tea or coffee as I dont like too much caffeine. I make a batch of blended ( you can grate it) ginger, keep the skin on as its good for you and honey , keep it in the fridge then add a teaspoon to hot water.

  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Online Community Member Posts: 933 Pioneering

    Yes we have an electric blanket,hot water bottles.I make Hot Chocolate and Ready Brek too

  • Dendoo
    Dendoo Online Community Member Posts: 253 Empowering
    edited November 22

    calor gas heater but set up carefully placed and carbon monoxide monitor Is a must also oil filled radiators are cheap to run. Plus dehumidifier…. Mine warms while kitchen up and dining room while drying washing ..

  • Ostia
    Ostia Online Community Member Posts: 97 Empowering

    Thermal curtains make a big difference ...they are not too expensive at Dunelm etc.

    If you just stay in one or two rooms it is cheaper than heating the whole house. A small electric radiator is also good for heating an average sized room...Dunelm has these too. Not expensive.

    Wear lots of layers...the old fashioned solution!! X

  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Online Community Member Posts: 933 Pioneering

    I have these in the lounge and my sons room Xx

  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Online Community Member Posts: 933 Pioneering

    I think its possible that because my house is old that there may be a problem with the walls because there seems to be air getting in from somewhere.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,770 Championing

    I had a problem with a very cold room and thought it was the windows, turned out to be a new layer of sealant needed around the sill.

    After that was done I did see an improvement as all the heat didn't get sucked outside!

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,409 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Jane315STARX, I don't know if you've seen this post but there's tips on how to stay warm, although I see you're doing quite a few already. Hopefully though there's something in there that could help. My house is very old and gets cold too! I have lots of blankets and jumpers, but I also have heated mittens. Have you tried them? I get very cold hands so they're brilliant.

    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/139427/stay-toasty-for-less-budget-friendly-winter-readiness-guide
  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Online Community Member Posts: 933 Pioneering

    I haven't tried the heated mittens.I will definitely give those a try.Thank you

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,376 Championing

    My flat is only 20-30 years old but still very cold and draughty this week. Double glazing is great when new but the seals break down over time so that's where some of it comes from. Also there isn't much loft insulation. I'm not sure whether there's any wall insulation, it certainly doesn't feel like it! Too hot in summer, too cold in winter.

  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Online Community Member Posts: 933 Pioneering

    My house is cool in summer its lovely.I don't even need the windows open

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 3,991 Championing
    edited November 23
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1085022#Comment_1085022

    Older houses had to have a bit of a draught, in order to draw the coal fire. Have you checked behind any plastic ventilation covers, to check there is not a gaping hole still uncovered?

    I unscrewed one in my last council house, and i could literally have stuck my head through the wall! There was only a similar plastic cover on the other side.

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 3,991 Championing

    I don't sit in my powerchair all day in cold weather, even a very small amount of physical activity will help keep one warm. I would even just carry out some stretches, moving about on the floor.

  • Jane315STARX
    Jane315STARX Online Community Member Posts: 933 Pioneering

    I have just done check on the ventilation covers thanks Chris,couldn't find any gaps but what a great suggestion.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,770 Championing

    I might unscrew mine out of curiosity actually, which is in living room (cold room which had sealant reapplied bedroom).

    I suspect there is something unsealed as during extreme high winds (happened twice in my time here) it rattled away!

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 3,991 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1085188#Comment_1085188

    The one in question was low down on the wall in the living room, opposite where the coal fire would have stood. You could feel the chilly air wafting past your feet. This was a council house built in 1960.

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