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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Jackie Annett & Michelle Cullen

Woman who has gone without central heating for a year reveals top tips to stay warm for less

With energy bills increasing month on month, one TikToker has revealed how she has gone without central heating for a year.

Carolyn Anderson, who goes by the name @orkadian, said: "I'm sick of hearing people who have never gone without heating in winter telling people how they are going to cope with it this winter.

"So here, from a person who has actually done it, are eight things you need to consider," reports Express.

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The first tip Carolyn offers is that condensation will become a problem, and people will need to wipe windows every morning.

Secondly, she advises people to find a way to deal with or prevent cracked, sore skin as a result of the cold.

Central heating system in private household, Man changing the temperature. (gettyimages.ie)

To keep headaches at bay, she suggests wearing a scarf and a hat which can also be used to keep someone's chest and throat warm.

The TikToker said cough sweets and hot drinks could also make all the difference when it comes to fighting off colds.

Carolyn suggested: "Maybe try to eat cough sweets as they are a little bit warming and hot drinks, lots of hot drinks."

When it comes to living without central heating, one of the biggest issues is not just keeping warm but how to dry your clothes.

The TikToker added: "Are you thinking 'oh, I'll just put them in the tumble dryer?'

"Maybe cost that out and see if you could actually use a heater because you won't have the option of putting them on a radiator.

"At least if you have one room being heated by a heater, you can have an airer in that room with your clothes."

Carolyn also recommended people find a way to dry towels and to store foods like chocolate spread in a warm place, so they don't solidify.

She said one of the biggest downfalls was damp bedding caused by condensation that would need to be aired out.

She said: "You need to air that out. You don't want that to stay damp. You need to air it out as much as you can so when you get in bed again, it's a nice experience."

When it comes to "energy guzzlers", the biggest culprits tend to be central heating, tumble dryers and ovens, but you can make some simple swaps rather than going without altogether.

It's worth noting that electric blankets use around 16 times less energy than gas central heating.

Tumble dryers cost around €3.33 per cycle, so it goes without saying that it's best not to use them unless absolutely necessary.

However, many people will have an electric oven in the kitchen and will not want to go without hot food.

Swapping to a slow cooker could save €45 a month, and these can be purchased for as little as €15.

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