Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

susank

I had single glazing in my front door and side light window - I bought perspex and my husband cut it to size and I bought magnetic tape - you stick one lot on the frame and the other on the perspex then offer them togethr - voila - double glazing - we have had it on for about 4 years and no condensation - it was a bit expensive but if small windows will work a treat and means you can take it off in the summer if you want but being a door I did not bother - I get new windows and door in starting tomorrow - wonderful for this winter but have waited a long time for them!

markmc999

Ok few thoughts, if they have already been said - sorry!

* Go romantic, use candles they can look really nice and actually heat rooms quite nicely.
* Put in bigger radiators. A friend of mine was replacing a damaged radiator here and bought the biggest double sized one he could get. The reason being that the water is being heated anyway so the bigger the space the more convection of heat there is.
* Use an iPod or similar? Charge it via USB on your pc (or even better at work by USB if you dont have easy access to a socket!)
* Listen to your radio stations online if possible
* Got an electric shower? Remember it doesnt take time to heat up - turn it on and you should be able to jump in straight away
* Check your on the right tarrif - even try ringing for a discount, I know people it has worked for!
* Pay by DD, it can save you a bomb
* Claim any loyalty bonuses you can - wont reduce your bill but may help offset it if you get Tesco vouchers.
* I have big mirrors in my bed room (not good I know but hey!) and a small lamp next to them. The mirror causes the room to become much brighter due to the reflections. Also uses a much smaller wattage and so is cheaper.
* Only really relevant if you have 2 fridges (as I know some people do). If your trying to keep things like pop cold etc. put them outside and turn one of your fridges off. My parents store all fresh fruit (waiting to go into fruit bowls) and pop etc. in a spare wheely bin they have in the yard. Means its freezing cold and fresh when brought in to consume.
* Get your boiler serviced to make sure it is being effective (and safe!)

Thats all I can think of at the moment, will add more as and when!

sammy_kaye18

Ok

tomorrow im buying my sealent for the windows - ive had enough - its freezing! there is some in £land so i will go and pick a few of them up and have a day tomorrow sorting all the windows out i think.

Plus i want to get soem new curtains for the living room - ours arent quite long enough and then ill pick up some blankets etc to line them with. Any ideas for the best thing because the thermal lining is so expensive - could i use like a fleece throw and just sew that onto the curtains instead?

might have a look for that window sheeting stuff too for incase i bodge up the sealent some how!!!!!!!!

Jolaaled

sammy_kaye18 wrote:

Ok


Plus i want to get soem new curtains for the living room - ours arent quite long enough and then ill pick up some blankets etc to line them with. Any ideas for the best thing because the thermal lining is so expensive - could i use like a fleece throw and just sew that onto the curtains instead?

quote]

To line curtain, i just used whatever i could get hold of from the car boot..size was the biggest issue.

I've found the thinner, woven, textured type throws to be the best, as they're warm, easy to sew and not too bulky. But i'd go for anything large enough, and not too bulky. Even a duvet cover could be used as a lining, altho not as thermal as a blanket..but still makes a lot of difference.

I suspect that a fleece would be too bulky if you use it for a curtain that is quite fully gathered. Also, my sewing machine would hate it!

MIRRY_2

we have a downstairs toilet that has a double glazed window but every winter it gets freezing in there
So today I am going to line the window with a big clear plastic bag ,
it wont show cos the net curtain will hide it.

Next I will try to find a old carpet remenant for the floor in there.....
I dont know if carpets help keep a house warm or not ? but to stand out there is painfull :eek:

We only have carpet in our living room.

Lemon_Tree

I have already started - i've turned off the hot water. My shower heats from cold as does the dishwasher. The washer has a hot intake but i recon it will be ok to get it to heat up what it needs. Had to do this because can't afford the leccy bill and am on economy 10.
Hopefully i'll soon see if it works
Lem

jessicamb

Cathybird has posted a link to a website where you can check out the cost of running electrical appliances.

Her original post is here

And the website is here

sammy_kaye18

Thanks Jolaaled

Will definately be looking for something to line curtains with tomorrow. Im thinking though that if i buy some new curtains for the lining room because they are tab topped i might just use the old ones and sew them in - but hten again i could use them for the bedroom as its only a small window and they could be lined easily.

Which reminds me i need to get curtain rail holders tomorrow to put my curtains up too! and plugs ot put my blind up in the kitchen! having a DIY day tomorrow.

Plus i agree about the freezing bathroom (ive got a seperate bathroom adn toilet) - mine has proper tiles on the floor and they are freezing in the winter so i think i mgiht pick up a bathroom set at the market - like a toilet mat and bath mat to make it a bit more bearable in the winter.

So my DIY list for a warmer hosue tomorrow consists of

• buying sealent for windows
• buying new curtains
• finding thigns to line old curtains with - have about 5 charity shops in town so bound to be able to get something for all
• buy bathroom mat set

so for now im off to measure all the windows so i know roughly how big i need things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jolaaled

Don't forget, Sammy:...

You are lining the curtains, not the window! So you need to measure the amount of curtain fabric, which is usually a fair bit wider than your window.

Good luck.

sammy_kaye18

Lol i know what i ment i typed the wrong thing!!!!

:rolleyes: