Preparing for winter II

Rummer

The best thing we did was get our cavity walls insulated, the difference to the warmth within our home was amazing. We also purchased a goose feather duvet in the sales last year and that kept us toasty warm over the winter too. I have cleared out my PJs as they were were loved and had reached the end of their days so I am going to have to go on a jammy spree!

grumswifie

Hi there

I avidly read this thread, as living in the north east of scotland it is often grey drizzly and freezing!
We opened up our coal fore last year, wished we had done it sooner and loved it. Spent a bit of last summer making paper bricks to use on the fire but this year was looking at buying in a supply of briquettes. Seem to be a greener fuel to use and could buy 96kg of them for £240. Spent a bit on logs last year but would use these instead.

Have any of you used these? Would like to know if they were worthwhile before I raid my £2 coin jar!

Thank you.

candie_gill

bluebag wrote: »

Double electric blanket costs about 1p an hour to run.

Good value if you ask me and just a dream to get into on a freezing cold night.

When mine were toddlers I used to put them in an all in one fleece sleepsuit so it didn't matter so much if they kicked the covers off.

Wow thats a great saving compared to central heating! I think i will have to stock up on fleecy all in ones for winter too, last year he went to bed wearing a vest, one of those and his dressing gown aswell as his duvet and he was lovely and warm so will do the same this year too.

candie_gill

Rummer wrote: »

The best thing we did was get our cavity walls insulated, the difference to the warmth within our home was amazing. We also purchased a goose feather duvet in the sales last year and that kept us toasty warm over the winter too. I have cleared out my PJs as they were were loved and had reached the end of their days so I am going to have to go on a jammy spree!

I think my house already has cavity wall insulation, as its a council house and under the paint ont he brickwork you can see little dots allover the house that have been filled so i assume its cavity wall insulation hmmm.

We have a Goose Feather duvet too, two actually and last winter ended up with both on the bed at one point haha. My PJ's have seen better days too, im debating recycling them and making door snaked from the material on the legs

NiceGuyEddie_2

Would someone be able to advise me on the safety of electric blankets? I hadn't realised they were so cheap to use at 1p an hour, which makes them a very appealing option but I've always had the 'oooh, no they're unsafe' view pressed upon me by my mum - I'm guessing however that with so many people using them the safety is vastly improved from what it may used to have been?

candie_gill

NiceGuyEddie wrote: »

Would someone be able to advise me on the safety of electric blankets? I hadn't realised they were so cheap to use at 1p an hour, which makes them a very appealing option but I've always had the 'oooh, no they're unsafe' view pressed upon me by my mum - I'm guessing however that with so many people using them the safety is vastly improved from what it may used to have been?

Years ago they where unsafe as they gave off some form of radiation, the new ones made these days dont give off any so they are very safe. Aslong as you dont let it get burning hot to the point your borderline fever in your sleep i cant see it been a problem.

redlady_1

I have an electric blanket but also have a matress topper. Should it go on top of or underneath the topper? Sorry for the bone question.

Petlamb

I'd say on top of the topper.

We have an electric overblanket - so a little different from what many have, but we love it and would recommend it to anyone - made such a difference last winter, we'd have frozen without!

As foir safety, there aren't really any worries I know of about the modern ones? I think the worry with the older ones was the fire risk associated... but these days they're really very safe.

mardatha

Best and cheapest way of getting a heat into you in a cold house

steph25

Hi everyone

Feels like I over slept yesterday & suddenly woke up in October!

I love this thread
I have read aLOT of pages from here but have not posted a message before.
I love all the hints and tips people have shared and hope its alright if I asked a few questions

Me and DD aged 11 moved to Wales last Sept so have already spent a very very cold winter in this house. I need to make much much warmer.
There are only floor boards down in the front room and an old gas fire that the cold blows down something cronic.
The kitchen is even colder. The council put in new cupboards as I was moving in and there are gaps down the back of every one, the board at the bottom of them has wind blowing through and the extractor fan blows cold air in!
So here are a few things I thought that maybe you lovely people could help me with.

1. I need to get a curtain up at the front door so need to find a portiere rod...does anyone know where to get one cheap? The cheapest i've seen online is £27 including delivery.

2. Where's the cheapest place to buy a door curtain?

2. Has anyone bought any ice/snow grippers for their shoes? How much were they and where from please?

3. How can I make the kitchen cupboards stops blowing a gale lol.

There are more things I wanted to ask but my brain seems to have gone to bed already.

Any ideas/help are greatly appreciated

Cheers
Steph

Edit - Ohh Oooh I remembered one of the things I forgot lol. I've been looking online for a windup lantern and torch, where have other people got theirs from?