Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

undefinedfunction

I dont use heaters during the winter, I like the cold : D

I sit right next to my bedroom window most of the time on the PC and the window is always open. 365days a year!

After working on my works office, i think thats killed any feeling to temp changes : D

sammy_kaye18

Mirry

Hi hun - they arent vests thogh they are jsut little tshirts btu they are lovely and soft adn warm - they were £2 each in Ethal Austin. and they were 3 for 2 last week adn they7 had coupons that if you spend £10 you get £2 off
so plenty of deals to be had if you buy yourself a thermal top too!

if you cant find them - let me know and il always mail you a few down.

katieowl_2

Jolaaled wrote:

Mirrry..there's a thread on wood burners here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=168384

Like you, i want a wood burner ( they seem to be cheaper in the local small-ads rag or on ebay), but we have a very long chimney ( house is on 3 floors). When i had the chimney swept in the summer, the sweep told me that the chimney was in great condition ( house built in 1880's), so i'm wondering if this chimney lining thing is stricly necessary. I spose it could always be lined later on, if there were problems.

My DH says that if you stick to burning hardwoods not softwoods ( Pine types) it's better for the chimney - it's the resins out of those softwoods can tar up the chimney and cause chimney fires.... We burn in the basement and groud floors of a four floor victorian house we don't have linings.....we had a wood burning stove in the basement for ages. We burn his offcuts from the workshop...he is a cabinetmaker

Regards

Kate

[Deleted User]

I did my first ever white wash at 30 degrees and it was a complete success. I used persil gel tablets wheas I normally use ecover liquid with soda but at normal washing temperatures. Ok so I can`t be completely eco now but the whites are sparkling and I`ll still use ecover for darks and delicates

I haven`t had the ch on at all and am still very warm here in s wales. I`m busy knitting though as warm layers will be the answer, as it was when I was small, many moons ago

EagerLearner

I managed to get letterbox insulated with a 'brush' slot on the inside to prevent draughts. Now need to get a flap to cover it...

Thanks to everyone here I am now looking into draught exclusion all round, plus I have reduced wash temperature to 30°C and also reduced water temperature on the boiler. I want to make our own 'aluminium radiator reflectors' but that will take a while, hopefully in the next 2-3 weeks.

mhoc

mirry wrote:

Ok I have just had a letter from British gas saying that they have reviewed my direct debit for gas this year and it will now be £46 a MONTH !
I nearly fell over, it was £22.50 , so has more than doubled.
Please keep the tips coming.


Yes I know prices have gone up but I would still ring them up and argue the case. During the last round of price rises my father got one of these price increase letters and I rang British Gas and ranted at them. He is 83, lves alone and his gas usage is minimal. The person on the phone also agreed with me the increase was too much and we agreed on a lower figure. My father was well in credit at the time so I think that helped.

I also did very well with Scottish power when they tried to increase my electricity to about £120 a month. It took me about half an hour on the phone but finally he gave in and said I could keep my monthly direct debits at the price that we were at ,£76. I did make a note at the time of some of the rubbish he was spouting. Odd things like we were using £2 too much electricity a month but the chap could not explain why £2 excess generated a £50 increase in our monthly direct debits!

Its gone up now to £97 a month but I expected this price increase and it was in line with "current" increases.

My main argument is that if you get an annual statement saying you have to pay £xxx per month that it s what you budget for. You cant budget if the ammount changes three times a year. No other bills, house rates, water, insurances alter during the year.

Also dont forget to write down the name of the person you are speaking to and ask for a new annual statement if you do manage to get the increase down

Mary

Austin_Allegro

I replaced my grotty plastic venetian blinds with some nice wooden ones from Argos (about £20). I got them mainly for cosmetic reasons but have noticed the room does seem a bit warmer, so they must have quite good insulation properties also.

Ken68

Austin_Allegro wrote:

I replaced my grotty plastic venetian blinds with some nice wooden ones from Argos (about £20). I got them mainly for cosmetic reasons but have noticed the room does seem a bit warmer, so they must have quite good insulation properties also.

I use polystyrene 2" insulation boards, wallpapered and taped and shaped to fit the window reveal. Light, easily handled, certainly not less fireproof than curtains. Keeps the expensive heat in where it belongs, and have noticed that taking down the net curtains in south facing windows, the rooms are capturing more heat from the sun.

burbulady

Just 2 little tips, but I often make a big thermos flask of coffee 1st thing in the morning - so i only need to boil the kettle once.
And instead of running the hot tap till it warms up, when filling a bath etc; then adding cold so that you can get in it comfortably - put the plug in before you start and you'll save litres of water.
B.x
I apologise if I've worded that 2nd tip a bit clumsily, but if it doesn't makes sense, let me know so I can edit it! :-)

Bambam

We've had laminate flooring throughout the ground floor for about 3 yrs now and and while it looks very nice our house has never felt so cold in the winter. Saving up now to have it re-carpeted.