Preparing for winter III

System

tugrin wrote: »

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????

The main reason is cause i dont want to go out and buy one. If i bought one it would have to be a dual control anyway cause i get colder than hubby does.

splodger_seedswapper

another thought on hot water bottles - when you have a hot drink in the evening and have to boil the kettle - why not fill a flask with the remaining boiled water - then use that to fill your hwb later on

i use a flask to keep water hot - during the day - to help save leccy from boikling the kettle every 20 mins

PipneyJane

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!!

How about adding a layer of insulated plaster board to the inside walls in that area? It may mean moving the radiators inwards a little, though.

FYI: Our house is a 1930's semi with solid brick walls (no cavity). The driveway wall is always cold - leaches heat, so when we had our lounge replastered, the builder lined that wall with insulated plasterboard and it makes a BIG difference. I only wish I'd thought to get him to do the hall at the same time.

Fruball

Car windscreen de-icer in - up to -15c... Hope thats enough :eek:

Pipe insulated *phewwwwwwwww* Hope that works!

Need to consult my list to see what else needs doing.

This thread is very quiet today... What winter preps have you done or got left to do?

Fruball

Love your sig, PJ!!!

ifonlyitwaseasier

Quasar wrote: »

For all those who use water bottles (as I do): put a pinch of salt in the hot water, as sodium will help it retain heat for longer.

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh fab thank you

*miaomiao*

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

had news about my possible heating upgrade - the HA are going to let me have gas central heating installed - to replace the archaic electric storage heaters (yay) but they can't do it until at least january - and as it could take up to 3 weeks work - it looks like i am going to be without any proper heating at the coldest time of year (unless january is uncharacteristically mild - wishful thinking i know)

to help me through that time - i have managed to get hold of a small portable oil filled radiator, an electric fire and an old but working portable gas fire - so i should be ok - assuming that i can afford the extra leccy and gas refills

Please get at least one or two carbon monoxide detectors! They are worth their weight in gold even when your GCH arrives. Then move them near your other gas appliances. Your local fire station should be happy to advise!

splodger_seedswapper

thanks - i will look in to it - when i get gas

*miaomiao*

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

thanks - i will look in to it - when i get gas

I saw your mention of a portable gas fire. That would be a good time to get a carbon monoxide detector.

Sunnyday

Frugal wrote: »

Car windscreen de-icer in - up to -15c... Hope thats enough :eek:

Pipe insulated *phewwwwwwwww* Hope that works!

Need to consult my list to see what else needs doing.

This thread is very quiet today... What winter preps have you done or got left to do?

Weeeell i`ve got quite a bit still to do now as i`m behind due to all the mishaps/work that has been done lately.

I`ve still to turn off and insulate the outside tap - this keeps getting put off as the isolation valve is behind the washing machine which in turn has a supporting leg close by which needs taking off the worktop to pull out the machine:cool:

The kitchen curtains STILL need altering despite my best intentions but now i`ve got my new sewing machine they should be a breeze

The grass hasn`t had its last cut yet and i desperately need to prune a shrub opposite the front door or we won`t be able to get in it soon:rotfl:

Lots of little things to do! The new curtains for the back bedroom probably won`t get up if i`m honest with myself as it is now so full of stuff piled up everywhere i can`t even get near the window, once the front bedroom is finished i`ll be able to start getting organised but with the plaster etc i can`t see it happening before Christmas.

I`m just glad that everything is drying out nicely as the leak had me quite worried, i thought that everything would freeze and we would be looking at even more problems but this mild spell has been wonderful - long may it continue

I`m just finishing a few days holiday from work and although i`ve been busy most of the time the more that i do the more i seem to find to do IYKWIM onwards and upwards

SD