OzBargain Winter Heating Tips

AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 20:05

So with winter coming along what are your current Ozbargain winter heating tips.

I have a room with a window that leaks cold air (need to get that fixed) but other than that I don't use any sort of heating equipment besides extra blankets and extra layers of clothing.

What have you found is the best way to keep warm.

I am considering trying a hot water bottle/electric blanket or heater but don't want to use it too much as last winter our electricity bill went up three fold during winter.

So have you crafty sneaky Ozbargainers for any cool tips for keeping warm for winter.

Am in the blue mountains katoomba to be exact so yeah I bet three will be snow again this July.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2017 - 20:12
    +4

    Maybe fix the leaking air.
    Buy a heater

    • AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 20:34
      +1

      Got any Ozbargain recommendations and by that I mean low cost to run. I have a heater around but it burns thorough my wallet as well as of course cold temperatures.

      Kind of why I mentioned an electric blanket.. might work out cheaper since it is concentrated but then fire or electrocution risk is very scary compared to a heater.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2017 - 20:37
        +71

        come ill cuddle you

        • AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 20:38
          +11

          Lol haha aww I feel better now.

        • stalker878 on 30/05/2017 - 09:17
          +1

          @AlienC:

          buy some cheap weather seals to stop the leaks

          https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/building-hardware/door…

        • Scrooge McDuck on 30/05/2017 - 12:45
          +1

          @AlienC:

          Live with a bodybuilder. Their muscle produces a lot of extra heat.

        • mavis30551 on 31/05/2017 - 11:37
          +1

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          Are you a body builder? Where does this weird fact come from?

        • Scrooge McDuck on 31/05/2017 - 12:23
          +1

          @mavis30551:

          Yes. It's a blessing in winter but a curse in summer.

        • veritas_mendax on 31/05/2017 - 14:18
          +7

          @Scrooge McDuck: Also extra heating from the extra farts due to the protein powder

        • lainey13 on 31/05/2017 - 19:24

          @Scrooge McDuck: Really? I know fat keeps you warmer…

        • Scrooge McDuck on 31/05/2017 - 21:50

          @lainey13:

          Really? I know fat keeps you warmer…

          Fat may keep heat in, but muscle produces heat, which transfers outward.

          It's 11°C here. I just walked out of the gym, to Maccas and to my car (about 2 km) in a racer back and shorts; was quite comfortable.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 31/05/2017 - 21:53
          +1

          @veritas_mendax:

          Also extra heating from the extra farts due to the protein powder

          You're half right, but for me eating a lot of carbohydrates is the culprit.

          I barely toot on a ketogenic diet.

        • yolow on 02/06/2017 - 07:49

          @lainey13: it's time to keep an eye out on all those KFC, MC Donald's and domino's deals! lol

        • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2017 - 11:41

          @Scrooge McDuck: is that what you call a big mac chicken from maccas?

      • dlakers3peat on 30/05/2017 - 12:29
        -2

        Beware of electric blankets. They cause impotency in men.

    • ireadtermsofuse on 31/05/2017 - 03:26

      Leave your stovetop on

  • oscargamer on 29/05/2017 - 20:12
    +4

    more clothes

    • Brianqpr on 31/05/2017 - 10:53
      +10

      So true. My wife walks around in shorts and t shirt in winter moaning about the cold and putting every available heater on!

      • Blahness on 01/06/2017 - 13:33

        From both a cost and environmental perspective, I find that so disturbing… sorry

      • anastasiastarz on 04/06/2017 - 23:10

        But it's comfy! I can't live both inside and out in winter coats, so bundled up and weighing me down!

        • Blahness on 08/06/2017 - 14:26

          I wear trackies, socks and a long sleeve top. It's not like full outside winter gear but does keeps me a bit warm and so I don't have to turn the heater up so high… every bit counts

  • KitchenSink on 29/05/2017 - 20:15
    +21

    Snuggie

    Yes I'm a tool and will probably get neg for it, but these things are fantastic around the home

    • QW3RTY on 31/05/2017 - 13:39
      +1

      will probably get neg for it

      Instead, all the closet Snuggie fans reveal themselves in solidarity.

    • IamEzza on 31/05/2017 - 16:15
      +1

      Snuggies are just like a less practical bathrobe, I don't get why anyone likes them.

      • MementoMori on 01/06/2017 - 11:10

        Yes - Snuggie = backwards bath robe.

        You can get a super warm and plush bathrobe from Kmart for pretty cheap ($40).

        I personally moccasins, trackies, singlet and hoodie. It's all about layers

  • Savas on 29/05/2017 - 20:17
    +1

    Good on you for not using a heater

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 31/05/2017 - 12:13
      +17

      i watch a lot of politics. Gets my blood boiling.

  • Baebs on 29/05/2017 - 20:18

    You sure have a lot of questions.

    Baebs on 29/05/2017 - 20:18 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2017 - 20:37
      +3

      so many questions, so little question marks

      • Baebs on 29/05/2017 - 21:09
        -1

        Say… did you hear about the confused question mark?

        • battler on 29/05/2017 - 23:06
          +1

          ¿

  • eapster on 29/05/2017 - 20:26
    +22

    Do what I did and move to QLD. Wont need to worry about heating or blankets ever…

    • altomic on 29/05/2017 - 20:50
      +63

      this year in Qld, winter will be on a friday.

    • PVA on 29/05/2017 - 22:44
      +3

      I have a blanket over me now while on the couch.
      Qld not always warm.

      • eapster on 29/05/2017 - 23:07
        +3

        Having a light blanket over oneself (if u need one in this 20 degrees weather) is a hell of a lot cheaper than running the heating…still get nightmares when I think back on my gas heating bills from Melbourne.

        Make the move to Qld for the warmer weather. U wont get a bigger winter busting ozbargainer tip than this.

      • Moose-au on 30/05/2017 - 16:46
        +1

        Yeah, but is is certainly "not always" cool either.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2017 - 10:56
      +3

      then pay double for cooling in summer, or pay 6 month for cooling ;)

      • eapster on 30/05/2017 - 11:26
        +1

        Solar does help to an extent with the summer bills I've been told.

        In any case, our bills over summer are far from double as during the daytime there is no one at home and work has aircon :)
        During the evening, night time and weekends we have the ceiling fans going and rarely have the aircon on.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2017 - 15:48

          For Solar: You need to be at home in the morning till 5PM. most ppl work during that time and when they get home, there is no need to use air conditioner mate.

          For second point: you are right :)

        • gitl on 31/05/2017 - 11:27

          My oldies live in an attached granny flat - great that solar helps with their day consumption. But for myself, I will have the air-conditioner turned on to regulate the temperature while there is still sunlight before I get home from work. Helps a bit.

    • Gnosh on 30/05/2017 - 16:19

      just worry about the bill for using the aircon in summer :)

    • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2017 - 11:43

      Just worry about your house blown over…. but the heating os fine.

  • Axelstrife on 29/05/2017 - 20:34
    +4

    Gas heater used to use LPG but just moved and this place has natural gas so had to buy a natural gas heater cheap enough to buy used. do you have natural gas? cause i picked up my natural gas heater from someone living in Leura which is not far from katoomba.
    much cheaper than electric heaters.

    • AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 20:35

      Thanks I forgot about gas heaters.. I'll have a look into it.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2017 - 20:35
    +24

    Give a man a fire and his warm for a night but set a man on fire and his warm for the rest of his life.

    [Deactivated] on 29/05/2017 - 20:35 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 20:36

      Some nights I seriously contemplate this yes and no because of the cold.

      I understand the Alaskan suicides much more clearer now.. the extreme cold does some weird things to your mind.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2017 - 20:37
        +3

        live stream it if u you do.

        • AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 20:39

          Will do but I am to (profanity) to every do this unless I really go mad.

    • tajid on 29/05/2017 - 23:18

      Find a gf that has a lot of cats, that will warm the room up.

      • Archi on 30/05/2017 - 10:29
        +1

        the girlfriend will be definitely be more expensive than a heater especially one with a lot of cats… just don't put it in the freezer if you accidently kill one.

  • bdl on 29/05/2017 - 20:38
    +6

    Use a rolled towel to block the cold air coming in

    • AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 20:40
      -1

      I put off a window renovation a few months ago because it was summer now I am feeling it.

    • macrocephalic on 30/05/2017 - 12:15
      +5

      If you don't need to open the window (often) then you can put some clear plastic over it (tape it to the frame) to turn it into a cheap double glazed window. Even cling wrap will work in a pinch.

      • MementoMori on 01/06/2017 - 11:12

        A good option for renters!

        So you just glad wrap your window, like putting on a massive screen protector!? Can it be done without looking terrible?

        • macrocephalic on 01/06/2017 - 11:24
          +3

          No, you put plastic across the window frame on the inside - so there'll be an air gap between the wrap and the glass. This air gap insulates, and the plastic helps stop drafts.

          If heat in summer is a problem, then you can cut out pieces of cardboard, cover them in alfoil and put those in the windows - to reflect heat back out.

        • sourdawg on 02/06/2017 - 19:32
          +1

          @macrocephalic: I do this to alleviate the need to wear my tinfoil hat inside

    • Hamlet on 31/05/2017 - 15:35

      Hahaha typical Ozbargaining.

  • Diji1 on 29/05/2017 - 20:42
    +5

    Do an hour of cardio in the late afternoon.

    • gimli on 30/05/2017 - 06:42
      -1

      but its too cold to go out for a run

      • Hamlet on 31/05/2017 - 15:35

        Pushups and pullups will do the trick.

  • PJC on 29/05/2017 - 20:56
    -4

    Place a fan heater nearby. When cold, use it full power for 5 minutes and switch off. You might repeat that hourly. Because it's off 55 minutes per hour your electricity bill certainly won't triple. Fan heaters are about $25 at Coles. I bought a spare one summer for $10 and then another at $5.

  • realfancyman on 29/05/2017 - 21:02

    more clothes and often use a wheat bag.

    • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2017 - 23:14
      +8

      Do you wear the wheat bag as top or pants?

      • Scrooge McDuck on 30/05/2017 - 13:05
        +6

        I think it's more of a onesie.

      • johnno07 on 31/05/2017 - 00:00

        I'm not sure why, but this comment particularly tickled my funny bone. Thanks!

    • montorola on 31/05/2017 - 12:47
      +2

      +1 to the wheat bag.

      It's so relaxing as a pillow for your neck, everyone should try it!

  • mskeggs on 29/05/2017 - 21:18
    +11

    Get the stick on foam tape to insulate the window gaps. Cheap on ebay, or about $10 at the hardware store.
    Cheapest heating for one is an electric blanket or electric throw rug. They cost literally only 4c per hour to run.

    A fan heater or other electric heater will cost in the order of 60c per hour to run.
    A gas heater will cost about half an electric for the same heat output, but note most gas heaters will output 3 times the heat on full power! So gas can be OK, but it still adds up.

    We have central heating at out place in Leura. My winter gas bill is over $1000 for that quarter.
    When I am home alone it goes off and I use an electric throw and a beanie, or no heating if I am moving or physically working.

    • AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 21:29
      +4

      What's your take on the safety ness of an electric blanket or throw rug? Worth the risk or safety ness.. and do you put it under you or over.

      Lastly thanks mskeggs for contributing with this awesome comment. I value your input the highest out of all the others on Ozbargain and maybe even the internet.

      • mskeggs on 29/05/2017 - 21:42
        +4

        and maybe even the internet.

        That's a low bar ;-)

        I think an electric blanket or throw is as safe as driving in a car, for example. A pretty low risk. I would not leave one turned on high and unattended for a long period, but I wouldn't do that with a normal heater either. I think the risk of electric shock is very low, as the cable inside is shielded in plastic, and the fabric of the rug itself is an insulator.

        • AlienC on 29/05/2017 - 22:25
          +1

          Haha we live in grim times my friend.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 30/05/2017 - 13:18

          Can anyone speak to the safety of gas blankets in bed?

          I hear there's a suffocation risk…

        • AlienC on 30/05/2017 - 15:43
          +3

          @Scrooge McDuck: maybe with your gas

        • montorola on 31/05/2017 - 12:47

          @AlienC:

          Hahaha, gold!!

      • Shame on 30/05/2017 - 10:39
        +3

        Electric blankets are safe. I've slept with an electric blanket running all night ever winter for over 30 years. We also use an electric throw rug while watching TV in the living room so we don't need the heater turned up so high.

        I've never been shocked or burnt yet by an electric blanket. I'd say you're more likely to be injured by a microwave.

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