Preparing for winter III

Fruball

I have accumulated rather a lot of sheets of bubble wrap from boxes of apples in MrT... (people seem to be copying me now though so there isn't so much to get when I go ) Do you think I could tack them together and use them between my front door curtain and lining? Would it make them warmer?

tugrin

Frugal - its GOT to help surely! When you pick it up you can feel the instant insulation cant you so it MUST be benefiicial.

Spiggle

Hello again,

I just wanted to say thank you to the person who pointed out the halogen heater from d*n*lm m*ll - it could have been toottifrootti. My OH has just got home and is dead chuffed as our heating died last Christmas and we had no alternative source of heat at all. It meant my DD having to drive in ice and snow to bring me one of hers. Now we have something should the worst happen and at a bargain £9.99. :j

Also thank you for prompting me to go to Wickes while out and get 3, 5 and 13 amp fuses, an insulated cover for the outside tap and some insulation for the 40mm pipe elbow that is the exit point of the condensate from my combi boiler. If I hadn't have read your inspiring thread today I still wouldn't have got the necessary bits in! So, a great big thank you to you all. :beer:

Take care,
Spigs

toottifrootti

Spiggle yes it was me - I have already used mine when my heating died this week and it works a treat - I admit its very lightweight but there is no reason with careful use that it shouldn't last the same as more expensive ones. Good to hear you have picked up some useful tips.

I had a re-arrangement of Christmas presents and now have snow boots for myself and more suitable ones were purchased today for my mother!!! (dont ask!!)

I got great door mats for inside both doors so that will protect the carpets. I think I have enough batteries but will check again.

all going well my landlord will be here tomorrow to do my curtain poles and the bathroom blind and as soon as its dry he is going to give the grass its last cut for the year. so i am slowly getting there - need to find my list and see what i haven't done.

its has been very cold here this week and I realised I am feeling the cold much more as my health deteriorates so will be having to dress accordingly and maybe have to have more heating.

hope you all get organised before the threatened bad weather comes

toots x

bluebag

Judi wrote: »

Ive never had one before but i am on the hunt for a bedspread to go over my quilt. Last year i resorted to wearing almost as many clothes in bed as i wear during the day. My electric blanket broke the year before last and i really missed it last winter but i'm determined not to replace it.

Electric blankets are very good value, they can be bought for the price of a good bedspread and only cost between 2 and 5p a night to run.

Well worth the comfort for me. (OH hates it though, the 'human radiator')

I keep my summer quilt handy for the very cold nights, just put it on top of the winter one, saves buying something else. Everything has to do two jobs in my house.:)

bluebag

kit wrote: »

Hi all.
Had my loft insulated today and 2 of my walls done with cavity insulation. Unfortunately the walls in the coldest part of my house (the extension) are made of wood so can't be done Not sure what else I can do in the extension, wood walls so no cavity insulation, flat roof so nothing I can do there, large windows which already have floor length curtains and radiators with silver stuff behind. Wouldn't be so bad if it was a small part of the house, but its over half of the floor space and houses my utility room, some of my hall, my lounge and dining room. The last 3 are all open plan (with archways) so can't even shut doors.
I plan to put curtains over the archways. Have already put a curtain over the front door. Anyone got any other ideas? Last year was absolutely freezing, I can't do that again!!

A longer term solution may be to have a second wood skin with something like rock wool between the two layers.

Probably a big project and you would have to work out if it could be done within building regulations, and how long it would take to get a return on your investment.

WeegieWumman

Like bluebag, An electric blanket gets my vote. I've always been as cold as an ice lolly in bed. Without it, I'd possibly be found dead of hypothermia in the morning.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

WeegieWumman wrote: »

Like bluebag, An electric blanket gets my vote. I've always been as cold as an ice lolly in bed. Without it, I'd possibly be found dead of hypothermia in the morning.

We were converts to an electric blanket a couple of years ago depite my OH insisting we did'nt need one.
He loves it now and so do I.
Its just so nice to get into a lovely warm bed.
We don't leave ours on all night as I could'nt stand the heat but its lovely for taking the chill off and making you feel all comfy.

Sunnyday

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

We were converts to an electric blanket a couple of years ago depite my OH insisting we did'nt need one.
He loves it now and so do I.
Its just so nice to get into a lovely warm bed.
We don't leave ours on all night as I could'nt stand the heat but its lovely for taking the chill off and making you feel all comfy.

Same here, i always pop ours on 15 mins before bed and leave it on for 5 mins or so after getting in, i find that i fall asleep much faster and less tossing and turning when the bed is nice and warm.

DH didn`t want one either but now he loves it. Ours is three years old this year and i`m planning on getting a spare in the sales at some point so that when it does give up the ghost i`ll have one in reserve as you can bet that it will go kaput when its cold and the prices are at their highest.

SD

tugrin

Judi - Im curious to know why you are determined not to replace your electric blanket - is it because you want to save on electricity for 'green' reasons maybe - in which case good old hot water bottles (made from water that has already reached room temperature) are the way to go. Although come to think of it how much DOES it cost to boil the kettle???? I know lots of peeps use the hot water from the tap so thats probably a saving - or is it - doensnt the water heater then have to come on to heat up the new cold that has entered the tank#? What a nghtmare to try and work out the greenest way to keep your bed warm!!
It is important tho' as getting into a cold bed really isnt the best start to a good nights relaxing sleep - any thoughts on green costs people?