Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

tawnyowls

trippy wrote:

I was told once that it's because it heats the cold air coming off the window. Having lived in an old house with a big bay window at the front and NO radiators underneath it I can see sense in it. That end of the room was always cold, even with the curtains drawn as the cold air used to find a way out underneath the curtains. Also it's only a design thing that curtains reach the floor now. They used to be made to fit the window and then you never had the problem of the heat from the radiators disappearing behing them.

But pre-radiators, people used full-length, lined curtains to keep the heat in, and that makes far more sense. Heat is a one-way movement - it always moves from the warmer area to the colder area, so it's not a case of cold air coming in, but rather the warm air in the room going out through the walls and windows. Thus, cavity wall insulation, double-glazing, and heavy lined curtains (preferably pulled across the bay if there is a bay window, rather than following the line of the bay) to keep the heat in are far more efficient than siting a radiator on the coldest wall (the outside one) of the room. I suspect it just makes it easier for the builders, as they don't have to worry about wiring etc.

pensioner_margaret

<any other ideas welcomed!! i obviously dont have a bannister!>

I am in a flat too. I have a walk-in type cupboard off my kitchen. I think it once was a shelved pantry. I have fixed wood battens on opposite walls at about 5' height. On these I have 6 removable wooden rods across the full width of the cupboard. They are big enough to accommodate single size sheets. I hang my wet clothing from the rods on hangers. There is no heating in there but by leaving the door ajar the washing dries - out of sight - not in the way in living space. When I was an owner occupier I had ceiling airers on pullys - this provides the same sort of drying facilities but out of sight!

COS

Athought just accured to whilst reading through the board. If you have a single neighbour whom you get on with share the wash load once a week ie: towels etc.... and take in turns. Now being familar bath times could become fun or even cook each other a meal :A

OneSpike

I've found myself planning my cooking a bit more, eg if I'm making pizzas (I always make extra for the freezer anyway) I might make a couple of apple crumbles for the freezer too just to make the most of having the oven on. Whenever I do jacket potatoes now I always bake something else too. Very obvious but I didn't use to do it before having to watch every penny.

mirry

We had the heating on last night for the first time, only because my husband was freezing cold with flu. we have done really well so far, always boiling kettles for hot water.

The sleeping bags and candles are simply the best thing weve ever used for keeping warm,. I dry clothes in the concervatory and they dont smell because the air is fresh out there and warmer .

Towels are more difficult to dry, I stick them on the line outside if possible or hang over the bannister.

Sallys_Savings

MIRRY wrote:

ooo thought of another :j


when you cook your vegtables, boil all the veg together in one pan.

(less washing up too )

or if you have a large family and need lots of veg invest in a steamer...healthier too

Chipps

Sallys_Savings wrote:

or if you have a large family and need lots of veg invest in a steamer...healthier too

Or... what about a pressure cooker. I have a hi-dome one (tall lid so you can get more in!) and veges cook very quickly - 4 minutes at high pressure (total time less than 10 minutes. And I can get about 3 different veg in at once.

Lizbetty

Hi! I'm loving this thread, my gas bills went up from £24pm to £83 pm so I'm definitely trying not to put the heating on (my 17month old is dressed up like an eskimo here, I'm expecting again in January so I'm well insulated but the next little un'll have to get used to the layered look, too, lol)!

Not sure if it's been posted already, or how much of a difference it'd make, but we have a dehumidifier in our spare room where we hang the clothes airer/dryer, and I hardly use my old faithful tumble dryer any more. I'm sure I read too that the air from a dehumidifier is at least 1degree higher than the stuff that goes in, so it warms things up slightly upstairs, too.

It saves putting the heating on to get stuff dried on the radiators (which always ends up being pulled off and put in the potato bin by my daughter..), and it does seem to do the job quite quickly.

Be interested to know if this really is as cost effective as I think, I hope so!!!

Hth, Lucy

clearvisor

I think we should take a long holiday to escape the winter, anyone want to come,with OAP 64 slim, petite.young and quite fit ,and can dance,

Ellie

If you have a laptop - Use it! If you sit it on your knee you can keep warm while you surf MSE and look for other ways of saving money!:rotfl:

Seriously - they really do kick out alot of heat, try it - you will be suprised!