Winter-proofing our homes

Belfastbelle

Ive just got new double glazing-
and a gas 'superser' for an occasionally used room -
what have you done to bring down your winter costs??

Any suggestions?

dmxdave

No suggestions for winter proofing but I would make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector if using a "superser" in your home especially if you have had double glazing fitted.

Artofdookie

I bought a couple of paper log makers and have been getting all the friends old newspapers, cardboard etc and making logs. Must have about 550 dried out in the greenhouse

Belfastbelle

Artofdookie wrote: »

I bought a couple of paper log makers and have been getting all the friends old newspapers, cardboard etc and making logs. Must have about 550 dried out in the greenhouse

THATS BRILLIANT - Ive bought some Homebase 'firelogs' at £1.69 - thought that was a lazy bargain.....

is it easy to use the logmakers?
where did you get them?

Belfastbelle

dmxdave wrote: »

No suggestions for winter proofing but I would make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector if using a "superser" in your home especially if you have had double glazing fitted.

Yes, have a carbon monoxide detector. That Castlerock tragedy made me think.

Artofdookie

Belfastbelle wrote: »

THATS BRILLIANT - Ive bought some Homebase 'firelogs' at £1.69 - thought that was a lazy bargain.....

is it easy to use the logmakers?
where did you get them?

Amazon, think they they were £13 each

blueberrypie

There is a *huge* thread on the Old-Style board on preparing for winter, at http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=531601 It's up to about 4900 posts now, but it's a "chatty" thread, so it's skim-able (might still take a while though!)

Ballymackeonan

If you haven't already got it, cavity wall insulation is a must, especially if you're using a superser. If the walls are cold, you'll get terrible condensation!

I've upped my existing roofspace insulation to current requirements, opened up one fireplace (and made logs as above for it - the supplier is from Dingannon) and put in a wood=burner in the other. I'm now stocking up on wood - dry wood was in very short supply at the end of last winter.

If lots of berries are the predictor for a hard winter (as my granny used to say) we're in for it again - have you seen the Mountain Ash recently?

Belfastbelle

Hows it going for everyone? Any new ideas?

Golden_Anemone

I use dishwasher salt to de-ice my front path Belfastbelle as it's cleaner than rocksalt if it does get walked into the house.

Yesterday I sawed old timber I had lying around from different projects into 6 inch lengths and then chopped it into sticks for firelighting this winter.

sleepymy

Artofdookie wrote: »

I bought a couple of paper log makers and have been getting all the friends old newspapers, cardboard etc and making logs. Must have about 550 dried out in the greenhouse

Is there much effort involved in doing these? My dad is convalescing (but mobile) over the winter and one of these might just keep him out of trouble (and my mum's hair!).