As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way

claudiac_2

Choc Claire - Have bookmarked the link you gave us, will get a proper look later, but it looks like a site I will enjoy so thankyou, and I am going to look out for the Home Farmer mag as well.
Save a bob - Well done you for getting such a bargainous birthday present for your son, and for making your own cards - would like to do things like that but never seem to find the time!!
Old Tractor - don't get me started with the prices thing!! I am fighting back in my own little way, just like most of the people here - Don't let the !!!!!!s grind you down!
Redlady - I realize that the costs may not add up, but I just love the whole 'real flame' thing! And I see wood all over the place just waiting to be liberated and put to good use - think I need to get a trailer just to throw in all those pallets, logs, branches I see everywhere. Maybe I am mad but I just see free fuel!

saveabobortwo

your going to save up to for a burner to don t blame you we ve made up our minds aswell we ve already collected wood each summer and shed is full up plus our friends have said we can have some of their wood and go and help cut the logs on their farm so very pleased of the offer of help we will definitely save money as even with cutting back. our bills now are ridiculous .we re going to sell a few items so hopefully this will help with the cost we have to look for a bargain so far i like the sound of the Rocky have friends in the home improvement trade who can also help so thats good. good luck Claudiac from the reviews iv been reading about burners today 90per cent sounded happy they had bought one and had nt regretted it tell me how you get on and will let you know to. quick alert morrisons robinsons quashes 50pence so stock up for kiddies drinks. Hi Oldtractor good luck with yoghurt making tomorrow

saveabobortwo

YOUR MAKING ME FEEL BETTER by the second :Twith wood stove you can do all this on it well thats marvellous wood burning stove definitelyhere we come:T

saveabobortwo

with a deal and cutting everything back sitting in the dark and all that is 75 pound a month each for gas and electricity thats a month:eek: there are 3 of us i turn all switches off at standby have a small 2 up 2 down to heat and hang washing out all through the summer anything to save money so this will be a cheaper option for us

redlady_1

Claudiac, dont forget to get to know the types of wood you can burn and how long they all need seasoning for. Pine is an especially long time. But yes, nothing beats being snug when it's snowing.

greenbee

redlady_1 wrote: »

Greenbee, mine is my only source of heat so once I light it in the winter I keep it going all the way through. For all the inconvenience (I forgot stacking wood in the pouring rain, not to mention fetching it) I really wouldnt have it any other way. For me it is about a lifestyle choice and with the flames going there is something to keep everyone occupied who visits instead of a TV:D

Oh and to give you an idea it cost me £3k for the burner, installation and sorting the fireplace.

I remember the hard work from when I was a child. We had a solid fuel aga, wood burner and open fires. The burner took huge logs (big old draughty house) and had to be fed constantly...). Now my parents can afford to run then oil heating and have had the aga converted, and have had solar thermal for nearly 30 years. I don't think they could cope with the physical labour anymore.

If I was in a different situation I would certainly be going for solar PV, solar thermal, wood burner and grey water. Sadly I'm in a 1950's ex-council house and have to work with what I've got and slowly improve it as much in line with my values as I can...

mardatha

I'm the same Redlady - although we burn coal. Keep it on all the time and only have to fill/empty ash once every 24 hours. Costs a bit in coal but heats the whole house and the water.

oldtractor

I asked recently about comparitive costs of 1 kwh of fuel. elec costs 12p oil 6p coal 3p and wood 3and half p. coal is hotter for longer though IYSWIM and so unless its free wood is actually the cheapest. I dont know about gas or LPG as we dont use them.

redlady_1

mardatha wrote: »

I'm the same Redlady - although we burn coal. Keep it on all the time and only have to fill/empty ash once every 24 hours. Costs a bit in coal but heats the whole house and the water.

Ah, so you have a proper wet system then? I would have loved that but I just couldn't find anyone who instilled me with enough confidence that they knew what they were talking about!!! And then there were the quotes :eek::eek:

I keep mine in during the day with something called New Flame as I have to buy bags (dont have a coal bunker) and if I put it on in the morning before I leave then I will have embers when I get home in the evening. Even if I am late home the place will often still be warm. I mastered the art of keeping it in at night with wood but I can only do it with certain types of wood - and we all know that "seasoned" doesn't necessarily mean seasoned! :rotfl:

saveabobortwo

Wood we collect , cones dropped of trees , coal weve bought , logs we ve helped chop we ve collected the lot for our open fire but we want a burner to cook with dry clothes putting the airer next to it and boil water our friends got one and his house is baking hot infact a bit too hot