Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

Jolaaled

I can't get hold of free logs in anything like the quantity i need, (but i do collect bits for kindling).

I paid 60 pounds for a load ( about 2 cubic metres, i reckon) and 75 pounds for 5 cwt of coal. This amount normally lasts me for 2 winters ( but only to supplement the gas central heating in the coldest months).

I find the fire is great for drying clothes overnight. I put the loaded clothes horse in front of the fire ( carefully guarded, of course!), before i go to bed. By morning, most things are dry and , because it's a real fire, there's no worry about damp clothes causing condensation.

tim_n

ok...

Ovens - Make sure you use the whole thing when cooking else fill up spare space with baking trays etc creating pockets of warm air inside the oven. It has to heat up less esp when you open the door and that heated air rushes out.

Tumble driers - my friend in the fireservice never uses one at night. He's seen too many people die because of 'em. Get a clothes horse and only use the tumble for undies and towels when you're up and around unless you want a really toasty house!

Get yourself one of those 'makes newspapers into bricks' devices. Collect used papers off the train (or check out the recycling bank on a busy sunday for overflow) and make your own fuel for nothing = ) Obviously only if you have an open fire!

Check your local council for cavity insulation grants esp. if you have a victorian house! plenty of cavities to be filled = )

pavlovs_dog

see thread here for ideas on keeping warm


EDITED TO ADD:

how scary to think that the thread ive linked to was started at the end of spetember.... and we're only in august now :eek:

Zed42

Great thread, if a little depressing as it's only mid-August.

I'm currently in the midst of making new curtains for the hall with thermal linings.

I like the idea of "sausage" dogs, so I think I shall make a couple of those.

Our boiler is an old one, which if we take the front cover off chucks heat out, so our airer is hung from the ceiling in front of it, which helps to dry clothes really quickly!

We've just replaced some of our pipework and lagged that under the floor, so hopefully that will help.

Plenty of layers on the bed with throws. I also endorse the putting a fleece blanket under the sheets helps to keep you toasty warm.

We've got draughty sash windows (woodworm eaten in a lot of places!), we found that that the plastic sheeting you seal with the hairdryer is ok ... but better than that ... was using masking tape around the edges and across the middle sash (just make sure it's the low tack type).

Brrrr ... all this talk of Winter is making me feel chilly

starlite_2

Chest freezers - Fill up any empty space with empty cardboard boxes on the base. (this also makes it easier to get things out )

Roz_V

OH and I had a big talk about this last night after I'd read through this thread and we've decided the following:

• Heater in bedroom only on between 6 and 8am as that's when we're getting up and dressed.
• If cold in the living room - grab a duvet or fleece blanket and snuggle!
• I'm going to put a fleece underblanket on the bed and if still cold at night - grab a blanket or duvet
• Batch cook once every two weeks
• Veg in steamer or the way that tirednurse mentioned - I already cook rice like this as I think it comes out better!
• Line the curtains in the bedroom and the study (although we have double glazing)
• Buy lined curtains for the living room, and a blind for the kitchen as we currently have no window coverings!

twink - saw some slippers like those that you have described in New Look - can't remember how much but it wasn't a huge amount.

Thanks to everyone for the tips

anguk

For people who need to make sure that they don't get too cold, some of the energy companies give out free room thermometers:

http://www.edfenergy.com/edf-energy/showPage.do?name=homeenergy.priorityservices.coldMonthsSupport.til
http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/business/Environmental_Health/Private_Sector_Housing/KEEP_WARM_IN_WINTER.asp

tootles_2

When we used to go caravanning I used an old duvet to sleep on, we have an old one under the bottom sheet on our bed during the winter, it warms up quickly and keeps you toasty warm........

I sewed round the edges with the overlocker to make it fit the top of the bed and the fitted sheet keeps it in place.

We leave our heating on constant, once the house is warm the boiler does not have to work so hard to keep the house warm, but we have turned down the thermostat. I have also turned off the radiator in the kitchen, it gets too hot when the oven is on and the landlord will not fit themostatic valves on the rads for us.

Keeping warm is a struggle for those of us on a fixed income but it is essential.....warm drinks and hot meals also help, a hot water bottle when sitting is good, but so is getting up and moving around to keep blood circulating.

Blairweech

Maybe now energy prices are continuing to rise and the winters are getting colder, real log fires will make a comeback!

starlite_2

That has an environmental impact though, as we are not set up for a mass demand for wood.
Why did coal fall out of fashion?