Things that worked or didn't work last winter

Barneysmom

Zarazara, is a SheilaMaid what I'd call a clothes horse?

I have to get bubble wrap, is it expensive?

downshifter

Barneysmom wrote: »

I have to get bubble wrap, is it expensive?

I used lots of little bits you get in padded envelopes, taped together, but then bought a roll from Wilkos, it couldn't have been expensive or I wouldn't have bought it!

I'd love a multifuel/woodburner but they seem so expensive. I don't want a huge one as my house is only little, can anyone who has one give me an idea of cost of installation and purchase and what sort of criteria did you use when looking for one?

Thanks

DS

Barneysmom

I looked into it Downshifter, but I think there weretoo many regulations as per the chimney (some sort of a safety liner? ) and airbricks to be fitted. It was going to cost loads - a couple of grand I think - so I left it.

zarazara

Woodburner [ ours is actually multifuel I can burn col on it too] costs upwards of £600 I only have a small 2 bed house and I have a small stove. The shop will advise size as per size of room. The chimney lining and stove fitting is approx £1000
You can get cheaper stoves but it just aint worth it! you really do get what you pay for here. Coalbrookdale are good for example. I managed to pick mine up second hand for £400 so total cost was £1400

Bubble wrap, sold at B&Q Focus etc. quite cheap. Or save from packaging if you buy something with it in.

SheilaMaid is a Victorian clothes drier. wooden slates through 2 metal thingies. attaches to ceiling. you pull up and down with a cord. Costs around £50.

downshifter

barneysmom wrote: »

i looked into it downshifter, but i think there weretoo many regulations as per the chimney (some sort of a safety liner? ) and airbricks to be fitted. It was going to cost loads - a couple of grand i think - so i left it.

ouch!!!

Ds

downshifter

zarazara wrote: »

Woodburner [ ours is actually multifuel I can burn col on it too] costs upwards of £600 I only have a small 2 bed house and I have a small stove. The shop will advise size as per size of room. The chimney lining and stove fitting is approx £1000
You can get cheaper stoves but it just aint worth it! you really do get what you pay for here. Coalbrookdale are good for example. I managed to pick mine up second hand for £400 so total cost was £1400

.

......and doubleouch.......another good idea hits the dust then!

BigMummaF

Having older 'children' with impeccable fashion sense :doh::rotfl:I thought I'd be in for a battle when I announced that the heating would be staying off till absolutely necessary.
At first there was some resistance but even they enjoyed finding out how much more cosy it is to snuggle under a fleece while watching the tv, as opposed to wearing t-shirt & shorts & unable to breathe because there's no air with the heat on full pelt! The biggest problem we had was keeping Pup from pinching the cover for himself--he has his own but always wants ours
Reading this thread has made me think I need to oik out the blankies for a rinse through before the weather turns for good.

alice-mary

I put curtains up at the front and back doors last year which made a huge difference when trying to keep heat in the house!

I also used fleecy blankets on the sofa and armchair, a spare duvet under the bottom sheet in bed and foil behind radiators in the lounge.
I wore plenty of layers of clothing, including thermal underwear and 2 pairs of socks (so I was able to peel off as many items as necessary to stay comfortable).

When we had the snow, I took a hot water bottle to use on my lap on the journey to work, which I refilled and used again on the way home...I had some strange looks from colleagues but I also had a warm trip home!

I live by myself and my bathroom is downstairs so once I'm up in the morning I stay downstairs, which meant that I didn't keep on opening doors.
In the evenings, if I sat down to watch tv (under a fleece of course) I kept my hands busy and warm by knitting and crocheting blankets, hats and scarves.

My gas and electricity usage was less last winter than any of the previous 3 so I think/hope that if I am careful again, things shouldn't be too bad this year either.

zarazara

Wel Done Alice-Mary. A great patten of behaviour for us all to follow. I'll be doing my best this winter to live up to your standards.I'm quite looking forward to autumn, log fires,fleeces,woolley socks,hot steming coffee,walks on crisp frosty days..........................................................

foxgloves

Keep a look out for free bubblewrap supplies at work. I managed to pick up loads earlier this year when there was lots of new furniture delivered to my place of work. It was perfect whole big sheets obviously cut straight from a new roll by the packers, & I found it had been put out for the bin. Being a right Mrs Scrimpy, I though 'Oh no they don't' & asked if I could have it to insulate my greenhouse, rolled it up and put it in the boot of my car before anyone had a change of mind.