Preparing for winter II

bluebag

I've used an electric blanket for years without problems as has my elderly mother. It is pure heaven on a cold night. I don't tend to leave it on all night though, usually use it to heat the bed and then turn it off when I get in.

If it's minus stupid like it was last winter I leave the heating on about 15, still cheaper than a burst pipe. Although the heart attack when the gas bill comes might be worse still!!!

bluebag

steph25

My cupboards blew a gale too, on closer inspection I realised the backs of the cupboards on the inside only came 3/4 of the way up and the gale was coming up through the floorboards and into the cupboard (did that make any sense??)

Really, really old kitchen. I solved it by putting several layers of cling film over the gap at the back, sort of extending the back all the way to the top, it does a half decent job.

Petlamb

Mine has a setting whereby it auto powers off, either after 75 mins (which is what we use the vast majority of the time) or after a certain number of hours so it can be on the whole night (11hrs? maybe?)

Chillout5892

Hope these ideas help..

steph25 wrote: »

Hi everyone

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

I know what you mean, but remember to make the most of the summer while it's here. Celebrate it and plan for the winter, don't worry about it.

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.

Do you really need one? This is how I made my door curtain. You can use the same method if you door is almost as wide as the hall, mine is in an alcove. I bought a long voile curtain with ring holes in the top in burgundy. (it's very tall about 8 feet.) I lined it with 2 black fleeces from Ikea, So it looks like a deep maroon colour. I hung it on a white expanding acrylic shower curtain pole. (The hall is white by the way. When the door's closed, so is the curtain. When I open the door, it slides back and I just pull it back. When I go out, I just pull the curtain across the door before I close it. Simple. Looks great, and it's admired.

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

Yep. Got the £7.50 ones. They work brilliantly. I love the way the snow shoes for pets cost more than the snow grabbers for humans!

http://www.bestofferbuy.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&inc_subcat=1&search_in_description=1&categories_id=&keyword=snow+shoes&x=0&y=0

I've ordered more so I can keep them in safe places in case I get caught out somewhere, like in the car or in a suitcase. (I got totally caught out 2 years ago when there was a snowstorm on the last day of a holiday I had in London and I only had a pair of dance shoes with me. Don't ask! But I nearly broke my neck getting from the Bus station to the cab stand in Bristol as 2AM. Never again.

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

I know it's not going to look nice, but no one will notice. Line the back of your cupboards with cardboard that you can cut to size and stick in place if necessary. If it makes your cupboards dark, you could always paint the cardboard before you put it in or cover it with lining paper. It's the sort of thing I'd do.

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

Any ideas/help are greatly appreciated

Regarding your floors... When I lived in a place with wood floors, I bought some clear sealant guns and sealed all the gaps. Took a few days, but boy did that stop drafts and small fountains of dust puffing up each time anyone walked across the floor. Also, I'd get a large rug for your tootsies. They will be thankful in the winter.

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?

Jolaaled

My letter box (brush type) lets in dreadful draughts and i'm determined to cure it for this coming winter.

Has anyone any experience of using/installing an EcoFlap???


http://www.uswitch.com/energy-saving-products/insulation-materials/ecoflap-a-draught-busting-letterbox-cover#v_41

..seems mighty expensive for a bit of plastic, but could be worth the outlay if it works!

Thanks all!

missychrissy

I bought an electric blanket last year and it was the best investment and money saving purchase I made. I work night shifts and it is pretty cold when I come home in the morning when the heating has been off all night. I used to turn the heating on in the mornings for about and hour and a half before I went to bed but I now don't need to because I can climb into a cosy warm bed instead. I can set my electric blanket to various times but I usually find that an hour is sufficient to keep me warm and send me off to sleep and it is cheaper than using the central heating.

If I know it is going to be freezing overnight and I am at work, I leave my heating on at 10 C as it is cheaper to avoid burst pipes.

l

candie_gill

steph25 wrote: »

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?

The council should fix this problem for you, if its a council house they are responsible for the majority of the repairs. I had old wooden french doors in my living room that where single glazed, they replaced them with double glazing doors as i complained of a draft and a leak. No way should any draft be in your kitchen like that, saying that i have stone foundation for my house so not sure regarding floor boards.

redlady_1

Don't you feel all the wires on the electric blanket though when you lie on it?

redlady_1

I found these http://www.rohan.co.uk/Product/Detail/WomensFootwear_02990?ocode=02990405 earlier. Now I love Rohan stuff and I know it is expensive but it does do what it says on the tin. I have been looking for a pair of boots that will be toasty and waterproof and these seem to be able to do the job. Might have to start saving.

mrsr

Hi
Can anybody suggest the best way to line curtains with fleeces,i'm not good with a needle so need something really simple.when we had the conservirtory fitted onto the dinning room we had the patio doors taken out,thankfully i kept the curtains up which i need to draw accross in winter to keep the cold coming through from the conservitory out.Reading the tips on fleeces i thought adding a extra layer may keep evan more cold out.Any suggestions on a easy way would be a great help.
Thankyou