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Comfortably cool – living well in hard to heat houses

Home / This month’s article comes out of paper written by Historic Scotland, which challenges the assumption that 20-21 degrees centigrade is the recommended temperature for a house. These numbers have snuck into our understanding of healthy living recently and can sound like a decree from on high……. But are they??? Many people live in houses which, even if they wanted to live at 20 degrees, could not possibly afford to. Many have also lived in a cooler house all their life and like it that way. Here are some thoughts about how to be comfortable in a house kept at a cooler 16 degrees centigrade. Firstly the lower temperature significantly reduces heat loss from the house, and so reduces costs. Secondly this may be a good temperature if you are active in the house. Lastly, having the house at this temperature may require some behaviour changes, for example: Wear an extra layer or two Use localised heaters – particularly if you are not moving much, using a heater to heat the area where you are. Directional heaters are designed for this as are radiant heaters which heat things rather than the air Be more active if you are able (even moving around a room to turn things on and off rather than always using remote controls) High back chairs, with ‘wings’ are designed to ‘wrap you up’ and shield you from draughts Pre-warm your bed with a hot water bottle or electric blanket Use a duvet with a high tog rating (12 or higher) As well as these practical things that you can do to stay comfortable whilst your house is a bit cooler, don’t forget there are also things you can do so that your house loses less heat – many of these are very easy, inexpensive and make a significant difference – see our blog article on our website entitled ‘If my House was Human’. There are also things you can do to reduce the price you pay for fuel, which we will discuss this next month.Remember, our advice is completely free and there is no catch. Please get in touch with Anna and Tom: 07759 404980, advice@warmconnections.net   Previous PostNext Post

Case study, Heating Systems, Using Less Energy, View All

Want to Reduce the Price you Pay for Fuel?

Home / Shop Around – we may find a cheaper price for our fuel, whether we’re on or off the main gas grid. Mains Gas and Electric – getting both from one supplier normally has a discount, as does receiving bills online. Use a ‘comparison’ site to check tariffs (even better if you can use actual kWh figures from your previous bills). Fixed Tariffs and Variable Tariffs – fixed options often have a leaving fee, and are based on predictions about the international energy prices. Ofgem release price changes four times a year and energy companies often release new rates shortly after. The next change was announced on February 25th and begins on the April 1st. Smart Tariffs – smart meters have made possible an increasing number of tariffs where electricity cost varies at different points of the day and night, eg EV, heat pump and tariffs for maximizing the benefits of home batteries and solar panels. Oil and LPG – the price of oil and gas varies through the year because of demand – keep an eye on variations. Winter prices are higher, so be sure to top up during the cheaper periods; if you have to replace your tank consider the storage size, which may allow you to buy less in expensive periods. Oil & LPG Clubs – bring the price of your fuel down, by negotiating discounts for bulk orders to a community and reducing delivery costs and, very importantly, they cut Co2 emissions as there are fewer delivery lorries on the road. For example, a village (or area) club with 100 members can save 200+ heavy duty vehicle trips a year through your village, by grouping together rather than ordering individually. Each tanker uses over 50 litres of diesel to travel 75 miles, so this is a big reduction on the wear and tear to our village lanes and roads, and to the pollution to our environment. All the following communities already have oil clubs through https://www.oil-club.co.uk/about/ *Kinloch Rannoch, *Ardeonaig, *Killin, *Killicrankie, *Strath Tummel, *Dull, *Fortingall, *Grandtully, *Aberfeldy. Remember, our advice is completely free and there is no catch. Please get in touch with Anna and Tom: 07759 404980, advice@warmconnections.net Previous PostNext Post

Case study, Meters & Tariffs, View All
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