Preparing for winter II

mama67

we are scavenging any wood that comes our way to store ready for burning on our open fire.
we do have oil central heating but it just doesn't heat the same as the open fire, plus the cost is getting prohibitive, and we have to use it for hot water.
have not reduced my electricity d/d so that bit extra each month builds up and then the boys can again use their fan heaters for short bursts of extra heat when in their bedrooms as they did last winter.
will maybe have to replace a couple of fleece blankets which we have had years so will keep an eye out for some bargains. As the boys now both have double quilts on their beds the single ones are also used for snuggling under on the sofas or in extreme cold as an extra layer on the bed.

will also need to review nearer the time the food stocks, I do keep a good store cupboard and we could live off it for approx a month at any time during the year, but I will make sure that cerrtain easy to cook items are plentiful.

the only other thing I can think of at the moment is that the camping stove needs looking at as it wouldn't light the last time we tried to use it, possibly a blockage in the fuel pipe, so will get Dh to look at that.

Red_Doe

I`m planning on getting a camping gas stove, and storing candles and getting paraffin lamps. But the main thing for us is that we won`t use our oil heating again. The tank has been empty since midwinter, and we just can`t afford to buy any. Only one oil company will deliver here as we are so remote so there`s no way to shop around for prices. Last winter, 500lt cost us £300. I imagine it`s gone up since then. That amount lasted barely two months.
So we decided this winter, we will buy three of the small oil fired radiators that you plug into the sockets. And we will put the extra money in the electric prepayment meter to pay for them to heat the rooms in winter. It will be cheaper than buying heating oil.

muffin_man_7

Red_Doe wrote: »

I`m planning on getting a camping gas stove, and storing candles and getting paraffin lamps. But the main thing for us is that we won`t use our oil heating again. The tank has been empty since midwinter, and we just can`t afford to buy any. Only one oil company will deliver here as we are so remote so there`s no way to shop around for prices. Last winter, 500lt cost us £300. I imagine it`s gone up since then. That amount lasted barely two months.
So we decided this winter, we will buy three of the small oil fired radiators that you plug into the sockets. And we will put the extra money in the electric prepayment meter to pay for them to heat the rooms in winter. It will be cheaper than buying heating oil.

Red Doe just a quick tip re the oil radiators they are really good when hot take a while to warm up then as long as you've got thermostates on them they go on and off as they cool down takes a bit of trial and error as to best setting for them also i would recomend using a timer as last year my kids forgot to switch one of and ended up with a big bill now paying it off on a pre pay meter so if they were to forget this winter i would notice straight away from the power monitor and the meter needing topping up more we have gas central heating and although i'm told it's cheaper than electric i still use the electric ones as you always know what it will cost 1kw heater =1hour of heat for 1 unit of electric and if kids not home i just use in the room i'm in save the main heat for weekends when i've got to get stuff dry get 2 for 1 that way i am hoping not to have to use ours till at least oct/nov.

Just a thought if you want instant heat you might want to consider getting one convecter heater they are cheaper to buy but cost the same to run and best of all not as heavy as the oil filled ones we have 3 oil ones 2 convectors 2 fan heaters and 1 oil free heater which imo is just over priced and i would of been better just getting convector hope this helps and you have a warmer winter

Kitchenbunny

Even now I'm making plans for winter. My current sewing project is a necktube for DH (being recycled from something else) which I think I'll line with some fleecy old socks. If I cut the toe off and cut it to make it flat then I can hem it and attach it to the inside for a toasty-warm neck warmer. Then there'll be a couple of draught-excluders to be made and I might have a go at altering the curtains. It's about this time of year I start making a spreadsheet that covers everything from storecupboard stocks/freezer stocks to how many candles we have to make sure we can cope. I might start putting away a £ a day to help towards fuel bills. Every time I feel the need for a chocolate bar or a coffee from a shop, I'll put the money in a jar to use for winter fuel. And towards the end of summer I'll do another clothes stock take so I know if I need to replace any socks, fleeces, etc.

We do need to buy gas canisters for our camping stove, but I'll make sure we only buy what we need for the time being. Will stock up with another couple of them towards the end of the camping season and I'll try to make sure I find the best bargain I can. That reminds me, I need to find one of those screens that protects a camping stove from draughts and winds.

KB xx

mardatha

I'm frozen. We have had constant lashing rain, gale force winds, hailstones a few times. Every few hours the sun peeks out to bug me then hides again. Sick of it.

carriebradshaw

mardatha wrote: »

I'm frozen. We have had constant lashing rain, gale force winds, hailstones a few times. Every few hours the sun peeks out to bug me then hides again. Sick of it.

the same here hon, It's getting me down now too, I used to think that expression 'under the weather' was just that, an expression, but I know what they mean. I feel cold,achey, grotty,sore boned and ill tempered. I need some sun and dry weather to lift my mood, that or a bucket of chocolate goodies

ginnyknit

Its pretty chilly here too. I have just, finally , got a new mattress for my bed - I was desperate as the springs were poking through everywhere so now have a huge throw to wash that was under the bottom sheet. I am going to chop it up into wide strips to go over the foot end of mine and Ds's beds this winter. I have to walk over and pick up Dgs in a bit and am hoping the rain holds off for a while.

I made Oh a neck tube by cutting the top off a fleece hat and hemming it - worked well and saved about 8 quid. Oh loves it. Thinking of making one for myself next as our winters certainly attack every inch of you don't they. My artheritis has not had a break as the weather is so bad and its making me cranky but the new mattress has eased things a bit. You just don't realise how something like that can affect you. Got one more pair of padded curtains to make for this year - fleeces at the ready guys:p

laineyc_2

I am determined to get our heating bills down this winter. I am going to buy some fleece and make some no-sew blankets for us to keep warm in the evenings, instead of turning up the heat.

redlady_1

I have had the fire on today it has been so chilly. I need to get the wood sorted for winter and the coal but otherwise I will carry on as before. Oh yes, the OH has been clearing his loft and found an old double electric blanket. Now he is warm all the time but I am not and he let me have it so I am very chuffed.

Living_proof

I have spent part of my day trawling the local charity shops for lightweight summery clothes for a holiday I have planned in about a month's time. I was amazed how much stuff was available and of course in Scotland the need for summer stuff is little and seldom! As I was paying for my white linen goodies a lady was buying a big grey cardigan to go under her jacket!!! because she was so cold.

I've had to have a hot water bottle for the last two nights, and have been genuinly cold during the day as my work is so sedentary. And this is nearly June!!! At least it is light, and dry (sometimes) but the only month that the central heating is off completely is July. Throughout the rest of the spring and summer months it is often need in the evening to take off the chill. No wonder so many Brits retire to the sun or take off for months on end to Tunisia or the Costas,