Is your heating ON or OFF?

lil_me

Quasar the estimates can be WAY out, get your actual reads in asap.

greenbee thanks I will have a look this week some time, actually save 'energy' I will send DP tomorrow if he goes to the garage before I goto the groomers as that's near it. When you mentioned radiator that reminded me the kitchen one has been off since we moved in, DPs brother has been laid off again at work (building trade so happening a lot ) so might see if he can do it as he did plumbing/heating before he did building stuff (asked landlady to sort it oodles of times, same as the gas safety cert she still hasn't had done)

I am wondering if there is a way that's not too expensive to wire up a thermostat in the house, currently we just have an adjustment thing on the boiler (which is in the garage) for the radiator temperature (and a timer) and that's all.

Conservatory doors are one I might see if I can tackle, there is 2, they fold in the middle and there is a gap at the top and bottom for the runners, gets really cold in there on a night (no heating in there) any ideas?

greenbee

lil_me - if DP's brother has the time, he might appreciate having something to keep him busy and I'm sure you can barter something for his labour (maybe you could feed him?). He should be able to tell you what can and can't be done, and what might help make things more efficient. Thermostatic valves on the radiators may be easier - ask for some on freecycle, as people quite often get rid of them with the old radiators when they have new systems put in - if not, at least make sure you balance the system carefully.

If you radiators are hot at the bottom & cold at the top, they need bleeding to let the air out. If the reverse, you need to clean the system out (boring, cold, messy but unavoidable) and them put chemicals into it to reduce corrosion. If you have to do the latter, make sure you rinse the system through as many times as it tells you on the cleaner, otherwise you may end up with the cleaner corroding the radiators very quickly! I did this a couple of years ago and it made a huge difference.

Conservatory doors - lots of people have been using bubblewrap as double-glazing, which would work well for the windows too, but you won't be able to open the doors if you seal this over the frames. If you can avoid opening the doors into the conservatory from the house, it would actually act as insulation for the rest of the house.

Could you use your caravan cushions and all the extra stuff you have got to store as draught excluders over the winter?!

Quasar

lil_me wrote: »

Quasar the estimates can be WAY out, get your actual reads in asap.

Ohhh it's only £69! I live in a small flat with double glazing so I never use that much anyway. I can afford to pay that money (no debts and reasonable income, touch wood), and it means that one of the next two or three bills will be lower than usual when they get the proper reading.

basmic

My heating isn't officially in full use yet - ie: the timer isn't set to turn on the heating in the morning.

Right now, if it feels cold in the morning, I put the CH on for a few hours (usually 2-3), and that often sees me through the day. Of course, I have to dress to keep warm - but I don't find myself wrapping myself up in blankets, unlike when I had to last week. :eek:

So long as my thermometer doesn't go below 17c, maybe 16c at a push, I won't be putting my timer on yet.

I might stick the heating on timer for an hour or two in December, when I need to get up at about 5:30-6am for my temporary work. :eek::D

[Deleted User]

I know a lot of people like to forward plan re the ch so I am posting the weather site that I use, It is a very good site and is pretty accurate. Just put your nearest town in the top

http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/today.asp?zipcode=cardiff

Clutterfree

Well we made it to the 1st but the heating is now on.
If I am totally honest I think it would have gone on a few days earlier but we went away on Wednesday and came home last night to a house temperature of 10 degrees!!! :eek:
Heating on and wood burner going as soon as we got in.
Don't think I've ever seen the temp that low in our house and there is NO way I would have allowed it to get that low if we had been home.

Temp is now set at 16 for the heating to come on but no doubt we will turn that up when it is needed. At the moment that seems really warm though!

gazza975526570

sparrer wrote: »

I've got large concerns about the cost of my heating bill gazza..it's fine to say 'the small cost per unit' but it doesn't take just one unit to heat a home. As for risking health, I grew up in the 40/50's when we didn't have heating, just a coal fire laid and lit when I got home from school. Morning routine was a dash to the bathroom where Mum had put a kettle of water in the basin for us, getting dressed under the bedclothes, downtairs for a bowl of porridge then walk :eek: to school. We didn't get colds/flu the way my DGC do..

Since then of course I've had insulated, centrally heated homes but now having COPD I've noticed I'm worse when the heating is on. So you could say ch is a risk to my health...btw I turned the ch on a couple of days ago after spending 2 days in DD's ch'd home but have turned it off again now, a, because the weather has turned milder and b, because I was puffing like an ol' billy goat trying to breathe! The majority of us are here for the support we get from others in a similar situation (ie poor :rolleyes: ) so no, not a game, just caution and common sense.

Thanks for your response and i appreciate your comments. I was in no way having a swipe at the majority of people posting on here - many have done a fantastic job of lowering their gas useage, saving some money (and stopping the energy companies profiting even more!!!!) so i do applaud the majority of you. I, myself, am doing similar exercises (though not to some of the extremes) ie loft insulated, cavity wall, trying to plan more when the thermostat comes on.

I was thinking more of the people sitting in a house with the thermostat showing temperatures of 10 degrees - yes many people will of course be fine, just as you where fine in the 1940's. The problem is not every one will be and would encourage people to take a balanced view - people had a target in mind which as we know with human nature some people will take to the letter and will hold out when the temp is plainly too low.

No offence was or is meant to people trying to cut their bills so please dont take it as such.

(weather looks a tad degree higher today so may be easier than the last week or so!)

Teaparty_mum

Ive had mine on for a few weeks now but going to be lighting our duel fuel burner very soon as we are waithing for a plate for it.

shezza

My plan had been to turn the heating on, on the 1st November, but I didn't quite make it, turned it on 30 October (having snow, hail and artic winds was just too much - I hope this isn't an indication of the winter to come).

Teaparty_mum

I think it looks that way Shezza.