Any ways to keep warm when your heating breaks down?

[GazeboMouse]

5 days without heating, still waiting on the letting agents of the house to tell me what on earth is going on, since their boiler repair insurance co has said it isnt covered! So to cheer me up, has anyone got any novel ideas for keeping warm when this happens? Had 2 sick days off work, but the cold's made my chest infection feel worse!
So far I've: Stayed in bed, had 2 hot water bottles on the go at once, layers of blankets, dressing gowns, etc. Cuddling soft toys, Thermal curtains, curtain linings, draught excluders at the base of doors, (sat in bed sewing another one yesterday!), bubble wrap up at the attic window, new doorway type curtain up the attic stairs, hot drinks, curries, cooker door left open after cooking, I've done most things apart from setting the curtains alight! Any other ideas? 

[shelvesofwhimsy]

I would buy a small space heater. I have an fan like one and it keeps the room super toasty. It was also only around $40.

[Galactica]

We are working on a home remodel so we've got it down-

* dish space heater pointed right at you
* hats/scarfs/alpaca!
* HOT TEA

[ladybastilla]

The heater is an excellent idea. Our house is heated by oil and sometimes we run out and someone needs to go get it. If that happens at a bad time the heaters are useful.

Layering yourself in warm clothing can help. Also: wear socks!

If you have electronics like a TV, PC, etc. in your room turn those on. A lot of times my room is toasty even when the rest of the house is chilly from low oil because I run all my tech in here.

Make sure that you are trying to only heat a small space if widespread heating is not available.

Make sure any windows in the space you are heating are securely shut.

[BethyVic]

Do you have an electric blanket? I use one all the time.  They help with keeping warm, but also helps your body relax.

[melodys_angel]

I always have some throws and a super fuzzy housecoat with hood.

I overheat easy so typically like things lightly cool, but I would definitely invest in a  small heater if what you are trying isn't working.

[pinkkittywinks]

A portable room heater can work wonders keep the curtains and doors shut in rooms you don't use. Wear plenty of layers too.

My heating broken down during a really cold spell at Christmas one year, it was the year we had very cold weather and it was down to minus 13! We didn't have heating for a week.

I'm sorry your unwell too, a bad chest makes you feel cold as it is.

Love pkw xxx

[Thunderwing]

If it is cold enough to be uncomfortable I would call the housing board. If they don't get it fixed pronto, your landlord may be liable for putting you up in a hotel or something.

I'd go with a space heater, and would consider leaving the stove turned on if it came to that (be careful, fire hazard!). You can also fill the bathtub with hot water (unlimited, or do you pay your own hot water bill?). I'd fill the sinks, too. The hot will radiate out a bit, and might raise things a couple of degrees.

[SunPony]

I'd like to second, or third, or...what, fifth?  the space heater idea!  My heat went out the past two winters and i have a space heater i would just sit in front of it 

Also hot bath is nice, or even just a hot foot bath!  Makes the toes nice and toasty and the steam might help your cold feel better?

Good luck, stay warm 

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Thermal underwear!

[Princess Lala]

Besides all the fluffy pajama bottoms, thermal long sleeve shirts, and fluffy slippers I wear, I have a kotatsu! It's a flat heating panel hooked up under a small table with a comforter on top, with a tabletop on it! It's SOOOOOOOOO cozy! I immediately fall asleep under it and I will put my adorable reptiles under it whenever our power gets knocked out by an annual ice storm- my apt isn't insulated well xD

Can't go wrong with tons and tons of blankets!!!! Layer yourselves with fleece blankets with comforters on top! Omg so cozy!!!

[rosierjay]

puppies. lots of puppies.

[SnorkMaiden]

Last winter, the boiler in my then-flatshare broke, and it took the landlady one week to get a new one and find someone to put it in. I can totally relate to what you're going through.

- A portable heater is definitely a good idea. They're not expensive, but be aware that they use a lot of electricity.

- A heated duvet is great for keeping warm in bed, on the sofa... anywhere you can sit still, basically.

If it gets really bad, do you have any friends or family nearby that you could stay with for a bit? It's not ideal, but better than getting ill.

[GazeboMouse]

Thanks, forgot to say the boiler care repair guy left 2 little fan heaters, but I can't afford a huge elec bill so only putting them on for 5 mins at a time every few hours! Haven't anyone I can stay with, relatives are 200 miles away, and all nearby friends have dogs, and I'm very allergic. So sadly can't cuddle armfuls of puppies to keep warm, even if I had some spare ones lying about.
Am looking at all suggestions, think my fave is Galactica's choice of an Alpaca, although I'm all out of those at the moment! Off sick for 3rd day, voice came back a bit just now, so will be phoning letting agents until I get through to find out what on earth is going on, since they didn't bother to return my email yesterday! May be venturing outside to get bus to laundrette to dry washing out, since I haven't been able to do any washing for 5 days as nowhere to dry it! Thanks folks!

[Kitkumi]

We had the heat go out last year due to a power outage in the middle of winter. I found that a double layer of socks and a winter hat did wonders for keeping warm. Along with the typical blanket pile