Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

liuhut

I am having an extension in October and will be without heating for about six weeks - so I have made a long list of all your ideas....just hope we dont have too cold an Autumn!!

MIRRY_2

update:
went into tescos with my husband yesturday and got some socks,

pack of 3 for £1 . they are thin so would be ideal to wear under a thicker pair because layers do keep you warm.

phoned up British gas and asked for a rebate on my gas and electric because we do recieve family tax credit and dla, they are giving us £90 :rotfl:
This afternoon we are off to knight and lees to get the 49p energy saving light bulbs.

Got a thick pair of curtains for £5 in the charity shop for my sons bedroom.

foreverskint

Some great tips, which I shall be applying this year. We live in a tiny two bed bungalow, but its always freezing here, and costs fortune to heat, as we have storage heaters and an open fire.

Have bought some huge fleece throws for £1.99 each from Roys of Wroxam, at the weekend, so we can snuggle on the sofa under those, and we are going to buy more energy saving bulbs. Trouble is two of our light fittings take those spot light bulbs (7 bulbs in total) and I am not sure if you can get energy saving bulbs for those R50 ses type. If anyone know different please let me know.

I am not putting my heating on this year until the end of October, although it already feels cold enough in the mornings to have a little background heat.

The hubby and kids will just have to wear jumpers:p

northern_star

Am hooked on the idea of heavier, lined curtains everywhere during the colder months. I've several pairs of unfinished/unused curtains and linings tucked away so i'll get them out, see exactly what there is and what I can make from what i've already got. Project for next 2 weeks sorted!

One question though - my kitchen has a large old window 78" x 48" which lets in cold, lets out heat. How best to insulate this? heavy lined curtains wouldn't be practical as this window runs alongside my sink and worktop. I'd also like to keep the view of the garden but energy saving is more important!

gemmaj

I've been getting my money's worth out of Empire Stores - last year got bedroom black-out liners using £20 money off voucher, last week ordered "Easy care liners" for lounge - using £10 off voucher it came to under £2 for 2 sets!!

MIRRY_2

gemma is that a online voucher ? if so could you be kind enough to share the code cos I need black out liners too ,
thanks

northern star,how about doing what ive done ? I covered the window in a clear see thru plastic bag and put nets over the top - could you put a blind over the top so it dont get wet ?

gemmaj

Looks like you may have missed out on the £20 off.

Try this post (from Discount Codes and Vouchers)
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=131057&page=4

EG
PG8050 - free multi cooker
PX2346 - £15 off £30 spend
PR5314 £10 off and free steamer on £25 spend

site: http://www.empirestores.co.uk

DSmiffy

Wear Some Slippers !!!!


Socks are great but you can't beat a pair of slippers to keep out the chill, especially if you have a hard floor. I find that if my feet are warm, then the rest of me is warm too. Can't stand cold feet!

Austin_Allegro

Any hard floored areas of your house (laminate, wood, lino, tiles etc) will get cold in winter. Putting down rugs makes a definite difference. As one poster pointed out you can get cheapo bath sets in markets, but market stalls often do cheap large rugs as well. Carpet shops sometimes sell remnants that are braided to turn them into rugs. Wool or fur rugs are best but nylon is better than nothing. In summer you can just roll them up and put them away.

You can also get insulating wallpaper - basically just sheets of expanded polystyrene. This is cheap and works well on cold outer facing walls, esp north facing ones. You can just put ordinary paper on top of it.

The funniest winter tip I heard was from an old lady who used to read in bed with a plastic pipe going from her mouth to her feet. She breathed out into the pipe to keep her feet warm until the bed warmed up!

lessonlearned

Great thread

Don't know if anyone has posted these but here goes

Wear lots of layers - several light layers are better than one bulky sweater.

Those fur line gilet-things are great for pottering around the house because they aren't too bulky.

A shawl or wrap around your shoulders or a fur scarf stole thing round your neck when sitting watching TV. (as well as a throw).

Wear thermal undies - some of them are quite nice now. I used to work as a sales negotiator for new build houses and often had to work from a cabin - freezing in winter. Thermals were an absolute godsend.

Use "hot" colours in your decorating schemes. They don't actually add warmth but they work at a pyschological level making the room look and "feel" warmer. For example throws, cushions, rugs, plants & flowers, posters and pictures - reds, oranges, deep yellows etc. Sounds daft but it seems to work.

Candles add both heat and light - cheap ones of course not your best scented ones.

I'm busy making sausage dogs and lining curtains too at the moment and one of these days I'm going to have a go at a patchwork quilt.

I get arthritis type pain in my hands in winter. Does anyone know where to get those fingerless gloves. I'm prepared to have a go at knitting some if necessary.