Cheapest way to heat a house?
Discussion
The OH has asked me to ask my 'PH Friends' if they can suggest a cheap way to heat our home. Some background:
Modern, small, two bed semi. Electric only, so uses crappy storage heaters and a faux fireplace with a fan heater in it as well as a wall mounted fan heater in the kitchen. Last winter's quarterly bill was £721 even though we used the heating sparingly. I abhor being cold but I can't face my half of another bill like that, what with being on a piss poor salary. The OH says she'll pay more than half (her take home is more than double what mine is) but I don't want her to.
Critically the place is rented so we're looking at getting some 'efficient' free standing heaters ... just which ones?
Modern, small, two bed semi. Electric only, so uses crappy storage heaters and a faux fireplace with a fan heater in it as well as a wall mounted fan heater in the kitchen. Last winter's quarterly bill was £721 even though we used the heating sparingly. I abhor being cold but I can't face my half of another bill like that, what with being on a piss poor salary. The OH says she'll pay more than half (her take home is more than double what mine is) but I don't want her to.
Critically the place is rented so we're looking at getting some 'efficient' free standing heaters ... just which ones?
Andehh said:
In all due seriousness....thick jumpers, good thermal ski socks, slippers, dressing gowns and 13.5tog duvet + blanket on top etc etc.
I'd seriously consider this if it wasn't for the inevitable damp, mildew, etc. problems that would arise and subsequent respiratory complaints.Andehh said:
draft excluder? Thicker curtains?
The existing curtains are pretty thick and remember, it's a rental property, so can't really justify buying new curtains for the place!I'd do a couple of things in your situation:
1) Make sure you're using the storage heaters correctly - they've supposed to use electricity during the night time when it's cheaper, and then release that heat during the day. You ned to check if they really are using cheap leccy (there should be a dual charge meter that shows that you're using the cheap economy 7 stuff). There's some stuff here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storage_heater.
2) Investigate changing supplier of leccy. Mostly if you profile your use, you can get a quote from a different supplier that maybe better than what you pay now.
I suppose the other thing is get a thermometer in the house and see what you really do have it as in terms of temperature.
1) Make sure you're using the storage heaters correctly - they've supposed to use electricity during the night time when it's cheaper, and then release that heat during the day. You ned to check if they really are using cheap leccy (there should be a dual charge meter that shows that you're using the cheap economy 7 stuff). There's some stuff here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storage_heater.
2) Investigate changing supplier of leccy. Mostly if you profile your use, you can get a quote from a different supplier that maybe better than what you pay now.
I suppose the other thing is get a thermometer in the house and see what you really do have it as in terms of temperature.
Cling film double glazing. White duct tape over ventilators (although make sure you dont go too far with that one). Seal gaps between floorboards if you have sanded bare floors? Basically track down all draughts.
Heating wise, only thing which uses less electricity than a normal heater is a heat pump. A small reversible DIY air con unit can pump out ~3kW of heat for 1kW of leccy but it would cost £350 ish. My dad spends too much time down in his well insulated workshop, he fitted a similar unit last winter and halved his bill.
http://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/eiq-12wminv/el...
Heating wise, only thing which uses less electricity than a normal heater is a heat pump. A small reversible DIY air con unit can pump out ~3kW of heat for 1kW of leccy but it would cost £350 ish. My dad spends too much time down in his well insulated workshop, he fitted a similar unit last winter and halved his bill.
http://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/eiq-12wminv/el...
Electric underblanket for bed and put-another-jumper-on.
I can stand almost any degree of cold, provided I'm not getting into a cold bed.
Electric convection heaters are pretty effective at heating a small space, but will take a while to reach an acceptable temperature. Fan heaters are quicker, but of course these cost.
Don't discount candles. By which I mean tea lights in thick glass or ceramic holders which retain heat. As a child, my parents had a lot of candles in the house - hey it was the 70s Energy Crisis - and I was amazed by the amount of heat these gave out.
I can stand almost any degree of cold, provided I'm not getting into a cold bed.
Electric convection heaters are pretty effective at heating a small space, but will take a while to reach an acceptable temperature. Fan heaters are quicker, but of course these cost.
Don't discount candles. By which I mean tea lights in thick glass or ceramic holders which retain heat. As a child, my parents had a lot of candles in the house - hey it was the 70s Energy Crisis - and I was amazed by the amount of heat these gave out.
Mobile Chicane said:
Electric underblanket for bed and put-another-jumper-on.
Another vote for this. Having lived in a few unheated houses, you can live quite comfortably at home in bed.Also - don't heat the house, heat a room (or 2 if you are feeling flush). Be religious about shutting doors and keeping the curtains closed.
Warm living room, cosy bed, job done.
(Makes you poo quick as well. Brrrrrr)
If you are restricted to eating with electricity then fan heaters are your best bet. They warm the air up fast.
To control damp etc, get a dehumidifier. Electric blankets are good. We have an overblanket and leave it on all night, it's thermostatic so doesn't get too hot, and more comfortable than lying on elements.
To control damp etc, get a dehumidifier. Electric blankets are good. We have an overblanket and leave it on all night, it's thermostatic so doesn't get too hot, and more comfortable than lying on elements.
MitchT said:
The OH has asked me to ask my 'PH Friends' if they can suggest a cheap way to heat our home. Some background:
Modern, small, two bed semi. Electric only, so uses crappy storage heaters and a faux fireplace with a fan heater in it as well as a wall mounted fan heater in the kitchen. Last winter's quarterly bill was £721 even though we used the heating sparingly. I abhor being cold but I can't face my half of another bill like that, what with being on a piss poor salary. The OH says she'll pay more than half (her take home is more than double what mine is) but I don't want her to.
Critically the place is rented so we're looking at getting some 'efficient' free standing heaters ... just which ones?
I'd assume you are on a 2 tier electricity tariff so the storage heaters charge on the cheap rate, so not using the storage heaters and just using electric (oil filled are the best for comfort) heaters when required - will probably mostly be on the higher tariff - and ruinously expensive. You'd need to change your tariff to a single rate one first. Other than more insulation, and perhaps only heating the rooms you use most? Only heat up the hot water when you need it (timer), rather than keeping the tank ready for constant use (if you do)?Modern, small, two bed semi. Electric only, so uses crappy storage heaters and a faux fireplace with a fan heater in it as well as a wall mounted fan heater in the kitchen. Last winter's quarterly bill was £721 even though we used the heating sparingly. I abhor being cold but I can't face my half of another bill like that, what with being on a piss poor salary. The OH says she'll pay more than half (her take home is more than double what mine is) but I don't want her to.
Critically the place is rented so we're looking at getting some 'efficient' free standing heaters ... just which ones?
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff