What heater can I leave on all day when out instead of leaving central heating on ?

[TAN]

Can anyone recommend a small heater that I can leave on in the lounge during the day,so that I don't have to leave the central heating on whilst I am at work?
.Last year it cost me a fortune because I had my pair of old ladies in my daughters bedroom and everyone else in the lounge - so I had to keep on my oil central heating and turn the radiators off in the rest of the house during the day ,as daughters bedroom was small so a portable heater couldn't be used as it was too near bedding etc.
I bought an oil filled electric heater that said nothing about not being able to leave it unattended,until after I had bought it and it said in the instructions not to leave unattended.
What can anyone suggest/ I am now on gas at the new place,but don't know how expensive this is going to be - looks like the heating can be set to come on 3 times a day though,so would I be better off having it come on automatically for an hour mid-dayish to warm the place up a bit for them? -or should I just do a test run one week and leave the heating on low for a week and at the end of the week take a meter reading and work out how much extra I have spent - its a new house (3yrs old) so a new boiler.

 

[Jess]

Oil filled radiators on low.

 

[TAN]

Thanks - need to find one that says I can leave it unattended - last one I bought said not to (unfortunately not on the outside of the box - only on instructions inside!)

 

[sophieandhoney]

I am not sure I would leave any heaters on unattended- does it really get that cold in your house?

Could you leave them with Snugglesafes instead?

 

[Stewybus]

Could you set the central heating on very low setting so it just keeps the chill off.

 

[TAN]

I think I may have to just bite the bullet and see what it will cost to keep the heating on low just in the lounge - I haven't git a pot to wee wee in at the moment,as am still paying off the oil bill at my old place until November,and 8 snugglesafes would cost a fortune 9although I do like the idea of them)

 

[MargaretB]

I think that many of these products will say not to leave unattended so that they cover themselves. I can't see any reason why you can't leave an oil filled radiator unattended. If you're not keen, I too would suggest the Snugglesafe heat pads or a Petnap heat pad, which is what I have for Hamish.

 

[MargaretB]

Oh right, we posted at the same time. See what you mean about the heat pads. I think I'd go with the oil filled radiator option.

 

[funnehmare]

Have you thought about getting a thermostat for your oil radiator? I had one for my piggy shed when I lived with my parents. It cut down on the lecky bills big time, it was great as it would just kick in and switch off whenever the temp fell and when it was up to temp. They aren't too expensive or difficult to attach and might be an option if you'd rather not leave the central heating on?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Just so you know, zooplus have snugglesafes on offer at £14.90 ea incl fleece cover...good price since they sell the for 22 in PAH.

 

[sophieandhoney]

I think I may have to just bite the bullet and see what it will cost to keep the heating on low just in the lounge - I haven't git a pot to wee wee in at the moment,as am still paying off the oil bill at my old place until November,and 8 snugglesafes would cost a fortune 9although I do like the idea of them)

I try to make sure draughts are covered and hang a curtain over the door - perhaps you could cover parts of the cages? Also heat rises so perhaps turn off the heaters up stairs? and leave them on in the living room?

This forum
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33 has lots of great help for preparing for winter and when to put heating on. I never am sure it if it best to keep the heating on low all day or have it controlled by a thermostat- I think it depends on your system re which way is cheaper.

I worry about heating bills a lot and don't have the radiator on my room or the hall. Upstairs gets heated by downstairs and we have double glazing, plus I cover half the cages with blankets and give them hay to snuggle in.