Suggestions heating bills high hubby cold

JC5

Our heating bills were off the chart last winter spending between $600 - $800 a month. I’ve been very diligent about keeping the thermostat lower and wearing an extra sweater. My DH has always been cold even in the summer! He wears several layers: a T shirt, long sleeved shirt, sweater, hooded sweatshirt and a fleece jacket! And still complains he’s cold. He keeps turning the heat up and turning room heaters on. I go around and turn then off. This goes on all day! He brought a room heater to his bedroom and I asked him not to because I’m afraid he will forget to turn it off! He already has a heated mattress pad and an electric blanket! I cannot afford to pay $1000 a month on heat! I am frustrated any suggestions?

Rick4407

Hello JC5, In the military when in very cold situations we used waffle weave long under ware.  In artic conditions we had nylon with quilted and filled long under ware.   Our house is 3 bedroom and I close doors and vent opening on the 2 unused rooms.  Not sure those will be much help.  Rick

loveskitties

Long under ware will certainly help.

You might also try a cap/hat.

How about an electric throw to keep at his chair for when he is cold?

My dad dressed for winter inside as he too was always cold.

Joydean

JC I can definitely relate to what you’re saying. My dh is always cold!  He has on the long johns, heavy sweat pants, T-shirt, fleece lined pullover, fleece lined jacket, electric throw blanket, and has a little heater in front of him!  All that and still says he’s cold! Had his blood checked last week and everything checked out good. No medical reason for being so cold. Thermostat sat at 72, house is very warm.   We are on propane and that has gone out of sight. I have a t shirt on!  So I do understand! One funny thing, when dh has to go to bathroom for some unknown reason, he thinks he has to take everything off! I do mean everything! I don’t get it! But I just redress him afterwards. Hang in there!

MaryG123

Is it possible that they aren’t actually cold?  My husband says he’s thirsty but then doesn’t drink, and says he’s hungry when he’s just eaten.  Could they be misinterpreting what their brain is telling them, something like “I don’t feel right so I must be cold,” or like a fussy baby who doesn’t know what they want.  Does distraction help at all?  Sorry if I’m way off base, just wondering.

Vitruvius

From what I understand, they actually do feel cold. A PWD often can not properly regulate their body temperature. Another brain thing. 

What I did was always give my DW something additional to wear. Fortunately we had a smart thermostat which DW could no longer operate. So after giving her more clothes I would tell her I was turning up the thermostat and made motions on my smartphone (which I did use to adjust the heat) like I was upping the heat, and that seemed to satisfy her (for a while). 

JC5

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions and support. Been looking for the thermal pants but no where to be found in nearby stores so will have to go online! Had to cut shopping trip short to help DH with some family business stuff. He cannot process a lot and keeps asking same questions of family members so I’m the buffer. A bit off topic here but thanks for your help.

Gig Harbor

Will he drink hot coffee or tea and warm himself from the inside out and also wear a stocking cap? Since my husband moved into memory care he never complains about being cold and no longer wants to put on multiple layers of clothes.

Ed1937

My wife always wanted it warmer too. But with enough clothes, and a reasonable thermostat setting, she didn't complain. Reading the above posts, I guess I was lucky.

MaryG, I don't think you're off base at all. That's something to consider.

Buggsroo

I can relate to this. I have been turning the thermostat down and regulating the heat. I had some pretty gruesome bills last winter. Some nights it gets turned up to 80 degrees which is beyond the pale. If he turns it up really high, I shut off the furnace to reset. I have brought the bills down by this. I will suggest buying your husband a shirt that has a soft fluffy inside, he loves those, sleeps in them etc. I often find them in women’s clothing because manufacturers think men don’t like that sort of thing. He now wears multiple layers and he is happy. He also pees the bed regularly so I have bought all these fluffy blankets and they wash beautifully. Good luck, I feel your heat erm pain.

M1

Their sensations of cold are quite real, likely mutlifactorial.  The electric throws worked really well for us.  Also glove and boot heating packs (available at camping and hunting stores) and battery-powered socks, in the days when she was outside more than she is now.

jfkoc

Google thermal underwear tough it may be too hard to get on. We always wore silk when skiing. That might be an anwer.

HollyBerry

Our horse vet was talking about having a heated jacket or vest.  You charge them with a USB, like a cell phone.  They're sort of expensive but you could probably save at least as much on your heating bill if he's not turning the heat up every hour.

The smartphone thermostat is brilliant.  Maybe our auto thermostat will die this year and I can replace it with one she can't adjust!

Vitruvius

As for a smart thermostat. Don't get a Nest. On the nest you can just turn the outer housing to change the heat. I got an Ecobee. The wall unit isn't so easy to adjust, but the phone app is really easy. I bought it for other features I like, it allows unlimited schedule periods for example and has simple remote sensors. But the benefit of a wall unit being too complicated for a PWD was just an added bonus, not something anyone but us on this forum would appreciate