Preparing for winter II

bravobeastie

Hi everyone

I'm after a bit of 'keeping warm' advice! Saturday my boiler broke down, so we have no heat and no hot water, yesterday the electricity in half of the house blew.

I have 2 little ones and we live in rented accommodation, the landlord is on holiday in the med (lucky thing) and not due back till Wednesday.

We rang the emergency chappy to look at the boiler and he said it needs a new circuit board (this will be its 2nd in 2 years) Someone is coming to look at electric this evening but from what we've explained to him, it looks like half the house will have to be rewired

My question is, we have 2 small halogen heaters and 1 plug in radiator to heat an open plan 3 bedroom house. This was ok until we lost electric so we're now having to use extension leads. What else can we use to keep the house and kids warm? It's that cold, they're still in bed (very much unlike them) and I am freezing

artichoke

bravobeastie wrote: »

Hi everyone



My question is, we have 2 small halogen heaters and 1 plug in radiator to heat an open plan 3 bedroom house. This was ok until we lost electric so we're now having to use extension leads. What else can we use to keep the house and kids warm? It's that cold, they're still in bed (very much unlike them) and I am freezing

Which is the warmest room in the house? is it the open plan downstairs or an upstairs bedroom?

I would just try and heat one room (or two at most) and all stay in that room with blankets.... take the TV or computer into that room if you need to..

Or have you got friends or family you can stay with nearby?
Can you still cook? if not i would move in with friends until its all sorted out..
take care

art

bravobeastie

Hi, thank you for replying. Its open plan downstairs with the stairs in the living room so there isn't 1 particular room we can heat. My best friend has said for us to go there today and that she will pick us up but the roads are too dangerous for her to come out and my car would be just like Bambi on ice.

We can still cook as we have gas (thank goodness) I just hate the thought of having to leave our house for christmas. Boiler man said he's try to get parts for boiler but he didn't hold out much hope this side of xmas
Just typical for this all to happen when everywhere is winding down for xmas!

[Deleted User]

gas supply alert has just been issued

lots more snow here and I have earlier filled flasks with boiling water and also gathered together the instant things like cupasoups and pasta in a mug. I wonder just how long the utilities can cope

[Deleted User]

bravo, turn a bedroom into a bedsit. Get the children to help as it`ll be an adventure for them.

bravobeastie

kittie wrote: »

gas supply alert has just been issued

lots more snow here and I have earlier filled flasks with boiling water and also gathered together the instant things like cupasoups and pasta in a mug. I wonder just how long the utilities can cope

Well that's just great. The only working utility I had left :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

bravobeastie wrote: »

Well that's just great. The only working utility I had left :rotfl:

they aren`t going to turn it off. It means that industry has to reduce their demand

pressure might reduce but thats all

elisamoose

kittie wrote: »

gas supply alert has just been issued

lots more snow here and I have earlier filled flasks with boiling water and also gathered together the instant things like cupasoups and pasta in a mug. I wonder just how long the utilities can cope

Just checked and no alert on national grid site or BBC? Where did you see this? worried now!

[Deleted User]

it is a gas balancing alert. Stop worrying elisa

it is an advance alert and is good housekeeping by the gas supply industry. At least we aren`t being held to ransom this year by the ussr


http://www.energy-uk.org.uk/how-the-energy-industry-works/gas-network-a-supply/gas-store-supply-and-balance-alerts.html

elisamoose

kittie wrote: »

it is a gas balancing alert. Stop worrying elisa

it is an advance alert and is good housekeeping by the gas supply industry. At least we aren`t being held to ransom this year by the ussr


http://www.energy-uk.org.uk/how-the-energy-industry-works/gas-network-a-supply/gas-store-supply-and-balance-alerts.html

Strange that not on the National Grid site but hey.
I am trying to heat a 3 storey Georgian stone farmhouse with 18 inch thick walls! Heating on low today with bedroom doors shut and rads turned v low in there. fleece at the one kitchen window without secondary glazing ( we thought we would like to be able to open it but it actually it would stick out on to access to back door so we don't))
Big velvet curtains closed over front door and fanlight above. Using downstairs loo only when absolutely necessary as it has 3 outside walls and is freezing! no glazing as it has a weird window!