I've seen heaters that only draw about 4 amps on the "low" setting.  That's not much heat but it's better than nothing.

What is the rating on the whole-house fuse?

Is the landlord not responsible for ensuring heating is available?

You can consider getting a paraffin heater. I know paraffin (kerosene) conjours up the thought of foul odour but the new ones using Inverter technology emits almost no odour and can generate 3kW of heat which is good enough to heat a 40m2 room. The electronic ones have tilt and CO2 sensors.It is not cheap though and can cost up to CHF300-400. The cheaper wick ones that smells like hell.

I have the Inverter one as a backup heater for my house in case my central heating fails. I've tested it to heat my veranda in the winther without any effort at all.

You can find the Tayosan brand in Migros Do-It in La Prialle or a few selection in Leroy Merlin Thoiry.

http://www.leroymerlin.fr/mpng2-front/pre?zone=zonecatalogue&idLSPub=1047462447&renderall=on#4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corona-Inverter-Portable-Heater-3kW/dp/B0002XOYDY

Get a really warm feather comforter from Tip Top, and here's your chance to buy fantastic wool sweaters, mittens, scarves and hats

and bake - gives a warm sense as well

Lets just say that the renting situation is not exactly above board...

Thanks Novecentro, I have been looking into this actually a little bit. Do you know if this is safe though? Because Iv heard the Carbon Monoxide levels can build up and possible be deadly? But I really appreciate the links, I will definately look into this.

Caromax, I have 4 Comforters actually, as I endured this winter last year. But you are right I definately need to update my winter wardrobe, as coming from Australia it is pretty non existent. 

Richard, Ill get back to you about the amount of power I have, but if a hairdryer blows the fuse, Im assuming a small heater is not going to do so well!

Thanks all for your help!!

.....hope youre not paying too much rent for that open doored barn you seem to be living in?

Its rediculous that you will spend the winter here without proper heating... Im also guessing this is illegal....If you have to pay for electricity then you could try (demanding to) having the fuse changed, to allow a higher consumption (ie electric heaters) ....

There are some low voltage heaters on the market in places like Jumbo, not cheap though, but better than freezing.

If dont pay for electricity and if  you have an oven... turn that on, and open the oven door...

Yeah I wouldnt have picked this to be my life in Switzerland. Im guessing its probably illegal to, but there is nothing much I can do about it. I offered my landlord that I pay for an electrician but so far he has cancelled on us twice to just have a look but after describing it on the phone, he doesnt think anything can be done. 

I have one of the small bar heaters but last winter even sitting next to it, you couldnt feel it. Inside my house is actually colder than outside. people need to put on more clothes to come inside. I dont pay for electricity and I have a gas oven so will keep that on! But I live in a three room apartment, which is relatively large. I think the parifin heating is one of the best options, unless it is dangerous. Or as richard suggested to me, to get a big fury dog to sleep with. 

what about an electric blanket, 4 comforters sounds so toasty, I cannot imagine how cold you must be.

Katherine, any fuel burning device bring the risk of CO and Fire. The same goes for a wood burning fireplace. You need to take the sensible precaution of ensuring adequate ventilation and safety measures like not leaving the heater running when you leave the house. The newer laser inverter heaters have a variety of sensors to detect CO2 and tilt (but not CO). In addition you can also buy a CO sensor alarm for aound CHF40.

I use mine as a backup heater for emergencies when my house central heating doesn't work (which is rare). So, it's not the same as runnnig a parraffin heater 7 days a week. You'll have to consider the pros and cons and alternatives before investing quite a lot of money in one of those inverter heaters. Read up some articles on Google on paraffinheater safety before deciding  http://www.google.com/search?q=paraffin+heater+safety

hello Katherine

I'm just amazed to read that somebody has to srugglo with cold during winter in Geneva in 2011!

Is there and good reason why the heating is not working / not present ? Is it LEGAL to rent an apartment without heating ?

Did you ask yourself how much would it cost you to use electical or kerosene heating ? Shouldn't be the landlord task to make the flat fit for living ? in this way you are taking on you costs that are supposed to be payed by him !

I'd really choose a different approach:

- look for a new apartment

meanwhile:

- seek legal advice (a legal insurance, would be good, but I'm not sure they'd cover one issue that has starts somehow before subcribing the insurance) for forcing the landlord to make the house "fit for living", or for breaking the rental contract in advance without having to pay any penalty

Ciaociao

Fabrizio

Thanks again Novecentro! Very useful advice. Iv had a little look into it. Im quite scared about the CO2 etc but I will find out more before i make a decision. 

Fabrizio, the house is extremely old and is not meant to be subleted, thus I have no leg to stand on legally. My contract is very basic and I havent paid any bond etc. I have spoken to the person who is subletting it to me and she will not have anything to do with any problems of the house. 

I would look for a new apartment, although its really hard to find in Geneva and my salary is very low. This is the problems of being an unpaid intern and then getting ripped off when you actually find a job. There are many of us out there in my situation. 

Everyone in my building has the same situation. One fuse and only a small furnace for heating three rooms. But the houses are extremely cheap. Luckily im going home for five weeks over the winter and I already have interns lining up to move in, even without heating because its so cheap. 

Thanks for your help but im not sure I can do anything legally about the 'livability of the flat'. :( 

Katherine

you may want to consider a portable gaz heater. Here are some ideas:

Katalyse-Gasheizung Oro F 165

Mr Heater

Chauffage gaz

Radiateur à gaz

also, browse local sport shops that sell a camping equipment and ask for portable heaters that are safe for indoor use .

good luck

Hey Katherine,

I know how you feel - I suffered though a couple of weeks of a New Jersey winter one year where the boiler was broken in the building. It was pretty bad... people told us in NYC (we were just across the river) it was illegal to have no heat and I called the state body there... but they told us they "couldn't cross state lines"

Tenant's rights are very strong here... I'd recommend contacting ASLOCA - http://www.asloca.ch/ - they are an excellent tenant's advocate who are cheap and have lawyers on staff. You can request an English-speaking lawyer if necessary.

Good luck!

Sean