Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

mary43

Heard it on the news today as well about further price rises with household fuel.......no mention of how much but I expect that means if I ring my suppliers I'll be in a never ending queue because everyone will be ringing to change tarriffs.

ceridwen

Samphire wrote: »

Bearing this in mind, does anyone know what's the most efficient way of providing heat in a small downstairs loo? Ours is at the back of the kitchen (a room that gets very cold as it has a v small radiator, big double windows and a tiled floor) - it's unheated and on the corner of the house (ie two external walls). It has a small single glazed draughty window that I want to replace this summer if I can. To be honest, we just don't use it in winter cos it's so cold that you worry that your bum will freeze to the seat :eek: This winter I think we'll need it though as DS1 is now potty trained and the DS2 is crawling - I don't want to have to leap around opening stairgates every time I hear the familiar cry "I NEED a WEEEEEEEE". When the central heating was serviced I asked the guy how much to put a radiator in there and he said over £200!!! I was thinking something to take the chill off rather than wanting the room to be toasty, in my experience those wall mounted electric bathroom heaters cost a bomb to run and as the room's not used for more than a few minutes each time I don't think there would be time to really feel the benefit. I also don't think they would be practical cos I'd have to turn it on for him every time and he'd be obsessing about how to turn it on an off himself (he's obsessed with anything electrical). I was wondering whether I'd be able to find a cheap electric heated towel rail, do they cost much to run? Or has anyone got any other ideas?

I remember those heat and light bulbs - ie light fittings that also turned out a noticeable amount of heat when one switches them on (pullcord switch?). Wonder if they still make them? That might serve your purpose if so.

katieowl_2

Samphire wrote: »

Bearing this in mind, does anyone know what's the most efficient way of providing heat in a small downstairs loo?


It has a small single glazed draughty window that I want to replace this summer if I can. To be honest, we just don't use it in winter cos it's so cold that you worry that your bum will freeze to the seat :eek: Or has anyone got any other ideas?

Anything you plug in to heat it full time will be basically heating an empty room....I'd double glaze the window with bubble wrap...put it right over the window, pin the corners with drawing pins, and seal it with masking tape...if it looks unsightly, stick a remnant of net curtain over it. I'd also look at putting something (washable) on the floor, maybe some cushionfloor vinyl with a bathroom rug on top?

Bubblewrap makes a huge difference in my daughters room...you can see the plastic go taught, as it seals, cutting out the drafts. Instant difference in room temperature.

I've no idea how much those heating bulbs use, but they do make a difference, I jused to have one in my room as a kid, it was a lot warmer standing underneath it I'd imagine it would be quite effective in a loo....

Regards


Kate

Olliebeak

There's lots of places on-line (and in the 'real world' lol) that sell heat lamps suitable for keeping reptiles, baby chicks etc warm and also those heatlights used in restaurants for putting plates underneath.

I haven't seen any of those bathroom lights that also heat up the bathroom for years - thought I'm sure that you can still get them somewhere. You could try checking with the staff at a local Wilkinson's store (or somewhere similar) as to the suitability of a bulb for what you need. It would certainly be worthwhile grabbing a couple of the things if you find somewhere that sells them.

I well remember our outdoor loo up to 1971 - we kept a small paraffin oil lamp in there in the winter to try to keep the pipes from freezing up - didn't make it much warmer though - just barely kept the chill off:(!

mardatha

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO BUY CHEAP CANDLES ? oops sorry screaming.

FunBrum

ceridwen wrote: »

Sounds a good one! And - if there's any generous helpful owners of said book out there:D - I'd be really interested in "joining a queue" for a borrow of it myself - and I'm also trustworthy, etc, etc.....

<<cough...EDIT...I've just found:

www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/evangelista73.html

The solar stove in this artical is like the one that I read about in 'The Tightwad Gazette' by Amy Dacyczyn. The book has some great tips for fugalites everywhere.:D

iwanttosavemoney2008

Jolaaled wrote: »

Ruby..do you have a recipe for sausage dog draft excluder??! do i just stuff my stockings with more stockings??

Would like to have something a bit more attractive..do you have any ideas?

got a bit of material hubbys old jumper old shirt that never gets worn (or go to charity shop to get something)

then cut into a length a little wider than your door sew a sem all the way down and put your stockins in that

iwanttosavemoney2008

mardatha wrote: »

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO BUY CHEAP CANDLES ? oops sorry screaming.

i go to pound land you can get loads in there otherwise market stalls os ask for em for xmas!!:money: then it doesnt cost you anything

OrkneyStar

Ok, not sure if I am on the right board so please re-direct me if I am not!
Basically I have a question.....during the day I often use my laptop for various things....the plugged is switched on only when the battery needs charging (I suppose I should do this at night really but just do as and when). Anyway I often listen to the radio too, so would I save power by listening online when I am in the living room/on the laptop, instead of using stereo ? Thanks.

Butterfly_Brain

I have bought an Airer as well and line dry whenever possible, I have also invested in a camping stove and buy a bottle of gas each week, a pressure cooker for cooking stews on camping stove (done in 45 mins), and have started insulating the roof of the loft am trying to use the microwave for as much as I can, batch baking and cooking meals now to freeze before the leccy goes up Scared witless with only one wage coming in :eek: