Here in the UK some may have been wondering, when is the right time to put the heating on?
Official NHS guidance recommends turning radiators on once outside temperatures fall below 15°C to protect against seasonal illnesses.Health officials state that living spaces should be kept at a minimum temperature of 18°C for anyone aged 65 and over, individuals with pre-existing conditions, and those with limited mobility.
. . . but with energy prices rising many are delaying having to turn on the heating.
Here are some suggestions that may help you:
Make the most of the sunshine. When the sun is shining, open the curtains on the windows that get the most light and let the warmth in. Close them again as it starts to get dark, before the room has a chance to cool down. It’s a simple routine that can help you make the most of the brighter part of the day and keep some of that warmth around into the evening. Quite literally using what nature gave us.
Deal with draughts. A chilly breeze sneaking under the front door or through a gap around a window can make a room feel much colder than it is. Check around doors and windows for obvious gaps, then use a draught excluder or suitable draught-proofing strips where needed. Keep trickle vents and other ventilation clear, though – blocking them can make condensation and damp worse.
Close doors to rooms you’re not using. If you’re spending the evening in the living room, shut the door to an empty hallway or spare room so the space you’re in feels cosier. You don’t need to shut yourself away from the whole house; just try to keep warmth in the rooms you’re using. And if you do switch the heating on, make sure furniture and curtains aren’t blocking the radiators and that you only turn on the rooms that need it.
Add a layer before reaching for the thermostat. Sounds obvious but far too many of us skip this stage. A jumper, warm socks or a blanket can help you feel more comfortable while you’re sitting still, especially in the evening. A hot water bottle is another cosy option for warming your lap or feet. Check it for signs of wear and follow the filling and safety instructions – it should make you more comfortable, not become a scalding surprise.
Warm up cold floors. If you have bare boards or tiles, they can feel chilly underfoot even when the room itself isn’t too cold. Put a rug in the spot where you spend the most time, such as beside the sofa or under your desk. It won’t heat the room, but it can make it more comfortable to be in without reaching for the thermostat.
Keep moving. If you’ve been sitting at your desk or on the sofa for hours, you may start to feel cold simply because you haven’t moved much. Get up for a short walk around the house, make a cup of tea or do a few gentle stretches. It won’t heat the room but it can take the edge off that familiar bitter feeling.
Check the room temperature. A thermometer can help you tell whether your room is genuinely cold or just feels chilly after you’ve been outside. NHS guidance is to heat the rooms you use regularly to at least 18°C if you can, particularly if you’re older or have a health condition. If your home is falling below that, don’t feel you have to keep putting off the heating.
Make the most of the sunshine. When the sun is shining, open the curtains on the windows that get the most light and let the warmth in. Close them again as it starts to get dark, before the room has a chance to cool down. It’s a simple routine that can help you make the most of the brighter part of the day and keep some of that warmth around into the evening. Quite literally using what nature gave us.
Deal with draughts. A chilly breeze sneaking under the front door or through a gap around a window can make a room feel much colder than it is. Check around doors and windows for obvious gaps, then use a draught excluder or suitable draught-proofing strips where needed. Keep trickle vents and other ventilation clear, though – blocking them can make condensation and damp worse.
Close doors to rooms you’re not using. If you’re spending the evening in the living room, shut the door to an empty hallway or spare room so the space you’re in feels cosier. You don’t need to shut yourself away from the whole house; just try to keep warmth in the rooms you’re using. And if you do switch the heating on, make sure furniture and curtains aren’t blocking the radiators and that you only turn on the rooms that need it.
Add a layer before reaching for the thermostat. Sounds obvious but far too many of us skip this stage. A jumper, warm socks or a blanket can help you feel more comfortable while you’re sitting still, especially in the evening. A hot water bottle is another cosy option for warming your lap or feet. Check it for signs of wear and follow the filling and safety instructions – it should make you more comfortable, not become a scalding surprise.
Warm up cold floors. If you have bare boards or tiles, they can feel chilly underfoot even when the room itself isn’t too cold. Put a rug in the spot where you spend the most time, such as beside the sofa or under your desk. It won’t heat the room, but it can make it more comfortable to be in without reaching for the thermostat.
Keep moving. If you’ve been sitting at your desk or on the sofa for hours, you may start to feel cold simply because you haven’t moved much. Get up for a short walk around the house, make a cup of tea or do a few gentle stretches. It won’t heat the room but it can take the edge off that familiar bitter feeling.
Check the room temperature. A thermometer can help you tell whether your room is genuinely cold or just feels chilly after you’ve been outside. NHS guidance is to heat the rooms you use regularly to at least 18°C if you can, particularly if you’re older or have a health condition. If your home is falling below that, don’t feel you have to keep putting off the heating.
The above seen on Good Housekeeping.
If the weather is getting cooler where you live how about enjoying a tasty bowl of warming soup . . . below are five recipes you may like.
Five warming soup recipes
Hearty Root Vegetable Soup - see here
Rustic Roast Chicken Soup - see here
Quick Minestrone Soup - see here
Rustic Roast Chicken Soup - see here
Quick Minestrone Soup - see here
Dear reader, please be aware that you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas, within this blog, and all articles / posts / studies (and any comments) within this blog are provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional.
With regard to the food/recipe suggestions, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use a reliable meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.
All the best Jan
27 comments:
Thank you Jan, I always enjoy these interesting articles. Have a wonderful weekend and all the best, Denise.
We have had the heat on and wear sweaters.
Wow! Timely advice for sure ~ great suggestions ~ Hugs ^_^
ps ~ thanks for commenting on my blog ~ Hugs ^_^
We keep our thermostat at 68 degrees during the winter. Now it is set at 65 just to get the chill out.
This morning I almost, almost kicked the furnace on but ... I knew it would warm up and then it jus gets too moooooggggy in here.
Heating is such a need, but it's getting to be so expensive. These are good tips for minimizing fuel usage and still staying cozy. Warm drinks and a blanket while I'm reading help me stay warm.
Gracias por los consejos. Te mando un beso y te deseo un buen fin de semana.
We use our gas fireplace until November.
This is soup time of year!
"Warm up cold floors" or invest in a pair of rubber soled fleece lined ankle height slippers. (rugs can be a trip hazard for elderly)
Such good advice here, Jan. We've turned on our furnace a few times to take the chill off and it was when our temperatures were 59 degrees F or lower. We've even had a fire in the woodstove a few nights because our temps have been in the 30s (F) at night.
We don't have the heat on right now, but we will eventually.
18 is an ideal temperature for me, both inside and outside.
Some great suggestions, Jan. My heating comes on when the temperature in the house gets a bit too chilly. I don't deal well with cold weather. I always wrap up warmly, but I don't feel comfortable wearing bulky clothes :)
Thanks for the advice—it’s so useful—and also for the recipe links for the autumn season.
Have a good day , hugs Elke
Interesting and good advise on how to keep warm and the cool out, Jan.
Approaching winter and colder temperatures are cause for alarm in many households, with fuel prices rising seemingly inexorably. Helpful tips, Jan. Heating the inner body is essential, too.
Excellent advice.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend
Hugs and all the best for you
These are al really good tips and I do most of them, but keep the heat a bit warmer than that. I turned it on once for about 4 hours to warm the house a bit, then off and haven't had it on since. I try not to do it till the end of October but sometimes you have to go early.
Dear Jan!
I love summer and the heat. I don't like the cold. I need it to be warm at home; 18°C isn't enough for me. Right now, it's 14°C outside, but I have the heating on and the temperature set to 21°C.
Sending autumnal greetings!
My hands are always cold so I wear fingerless gloves.
Wow, turning on the heat at 18 degrees?! I'm roasting at that temp--LOL But we do plenty of layers. No shortage of woolly garments in our house ;-)
All good tips.
This is great advice since the cost of indoor heating for many people is going to be tough this year. Have a super rest of your weekend Jan.
Yes we do a lot of cuddling in the evening when we are just sitting around the living room, in the day time we keep busy so we don't get cold but in the evening we get the quilts and blankets out to help keep us warm instead of raising the heat. Although we keep ours at 68F in the evening.
Thank you for this informative and timely post. I am dreading how expensive the home heating oil will be when I have to fill the tank again. (I do one last fill as we go into the warmer weather in the late Spring, then I don't need to fill it again until I start using the heat in the Fall.) The past few years, due to the cost, I have kept the thermostat at 60 F / 15.55 C, and use layers and several blankets on the bed, to stay warm. This year, I might have to drop it lower than that due to the cost of oil.
Por aquí todavía no ha llegado el frío. Gracias por tus consejos son interesantes. Besos.
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