Preparing for winter III

pollys

Painting the garden fence is taking some time but it needs doing, still got the shed and garage to do!

We are also giving the house a good clean through and making lists of what we need as we go along. The plan is to have everything done by October half term.

Pollys

nikki2804

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena wrote: »

Hiya nikki2804,

I'm sorry about the delay in getting back to you on this

I see now.

Meter readings about once a month is fine, you can also produce a real time bill when you enter them if you want to.

The account should now start to be in credit and I understand it would have been if that money had not been refunded.

So, what we need to do is get the Direct Debit set to the right amount for the coming months and make sure the account is billed up to date.

Have you also checked you're on the best tariff for your needs? You can have a look at prices via your online account.

But as I say if you need me to help, just email it's no probs at all

Helena

Well even after providing meter readings and my online account showing £58 in credit it seems that you want to up my DD from £77 p/m to £192.

When I called I was told that my account had been in debit etc and thats why they were upping it. I stated that the account was now in credit (£58) but apparently that doesn't matter.

I got a lecture about updating meter readings; I had to point out they were given on the 31st. Account at her end was £32 in debit with up to date readings. Balance cleared but still no explanation about how the £192 figure was selected or why I was not notified by letter.

Not sure how one bill can show (real tiime bill) I'm £12 in debit, then once payment is taken I'm £58 in credit but all of a sudden I owe £32 and my DD is trebled??

I'm on a fixed priced protection plan until April 2013.

SpikyHedgehog

drinkupretty wrote: »

Got a couple of packs of window insulation kits (plastic coverings) from ebay. Am also in the process of comparing fuel providers to see if there is a cheaper deal out there for us. Bought a new back door threshold as ours is rusty and loose. I have put it on the list of OH's jobs to do when he can. Looking into ways I can put up thermal door curtains. Tried velcro last year but this was a failure as the fabric was too heavy and the velcro kept coming unstuck.
To do list:
buy a new hot water bottle
New coat and jumpers also needed
Need new warm work shoes as my boots gave up the ghost in the spring.

When it is very cold, the water in my kitchen and bathroom plug holes freeze up (joys of them being in a draughty flat roof extension) need some sort of lagging to prevent this from happening!

I had a horrible extension bathroom in my old, old house, luckily we didn't have bad winters while we were there as I had a gas fire in each of the reception rooms. & no heating in the bedrooms, kitchen or bathroom. & though it was a mid terrace house, the neighbours only lived in the house on 1 side, which felt quite warm. The other side, they'd bought the house while their DD was at college in my town, & kept it as a holiday home. So I lost heat through diffusion that side.

Any way, is it only the waste pipes from the sinks that freeze up? & how easily can you access them? I guess I'd start with actual pipe lagging if you can get to them. If it's the wider waste pipe, hmmm... What about space blankets cable tied round the pipe? Or roll mats for camping - thicker, so more insulation, I'd have thought, but more awkward to get round. & leave the plugs in the sinks when not in use to stop the cold coming up!

MrsCD

pjran wrote: »

Becky_2 wrote: »

Please could you help me, are there any companies offering free cavity wall insulation at the moment? I would like to get started with preparing for this winter, I really feel the cold and not too mobile so have sit down a lot between jobs.

Thank you.

I've been reading this thread recently, and I've popped out of hiding to suggest that if you're not very mobile, you may be able to get some help with insulating your house. I'm not sure if you need to be on certain benefits to qualify, but it's worth asking your local council/library/age concern/CAB....
HTH

[Deleted User]

SpikyHedgehog wrote: »

I had a horrible extension bathroom in my old, old house, luckily we didn't have bad winters while we were there as I had a gas fire in each of the reception rooms. & no heating in the bedrooms, kitchen or bathroom. & though it was a mid terrace house, the neighbours only lived in the house on 1 side, which felt quite warm. The other side, they'd bought the house while their DD was at college in my town, & kept it as a holiday home. So I lost heat through diffusion that side.

Any way, is it only the waste pipes from the sinks that freeze up? & how easily can you access them? I guess I'd start with actual pipe lagging if you can get to them. If it's the wider waste pipe, hmmm... What about space blankets cable tied round the pipe? Or roll mats for camping - thicker, so more insulation, I'd have thought, but more awkward to get round. & leave the plugs in the sinks when not in use to stop the cold coming up!

We're end terrace and due to having a non working boiler and no money to replace it we only have a gas fire and some electric heaters for heat. The taps do not freeze it is literally just the waste pipes from the kitchen and bathroom sink which do. I have a foil lined camping mat I could cut up and use and cable ties are inexpensive so I will definitely give it a go. Thanks for the idea

pjran

MrsCD wrote: »

pjran wrote: »

I've been reading this thread recently, and I've popped out of hiding to suggest that if you're not very mobile, you may be able to get some help with insulating your house. I'm not sure if you need to be on certain benefits to qualify, but it's worth asking your local council/library/age concern/CAB....
HTH

Thank you for taking time to reply. I'm not on any benefits nor have I registered disabled, too proud.

I shall make time to read this forum, it's full of good advice and ideas.

prepareathome

pjran wrote: »

MrsCD wrote: »

Thank you for taking time to reply. I'm not on any benefits nor have I registered disabled, too proud.

I shall make time to read this forum, it's full of good advice and ideas.

Even is you are not on benefits if your income is low you may still qualify - we had cavity wall insulation a few years ago by BG and didn't have to pay anything as income was low enough to qualify for it to be done for free - we were not on benefits then either.

bossymoo

Years ago, in my previous home, I'd filled in a questionnaire at work about being green and gas / lekky consumption. My name was drawn for a prize, a home energy makeover!

I had my cavities filled (not teeth lol), my loft lagged, all new energy saving bulbs and thermostatic radiator valves fitted. They broke 2 of my radiators by accident so replaced those too. If I'd got the top prize that would have been a new boiler too! The only thing we had to do was send copies of our bills for the previous winter, and the coming winter to compare.

Our boiler was v old, so we replaced it anyway, and our gas bill reduced by a massive 47% comparing the oct-mar bills. Huge!

Anyway. I have purchased my non-winter coat! It is a showerproof parka, lined but not padded. The plan is to layer in the cold weather, rather than spend a lot more on a proper winter coat. It's not like I walk for miles and miles. Saved quite a bit of cash there. And, happily it is two sizes smaller than my current winter coat, since I lost weight, and I can still fasten it over the top of my fleece jacket! Hurrah!

Also bought a tiny £3 wind up torch, just enough to help me find my way to the candles if we are left in the dark...

prepareathome

bossymoo wrote: »

.
And, happily it is two sizes smaller than my current winter coat, since I lost weight, and I can still fasten it over the top of my fleece jacket! Hurrah!

Well done on the weight loss - the tots won't be finding it so easy to out run mummy xxxxxx

Also bought a tiny £3 wind up torch, just enough to help me find my way to the candles if we are left in the dark...

They are handy things....

pjran

I use a wind up torch all the time.

Not sure whether to tell you this but I will anyway- hubby goes to bed before me and if I turn the light on it wakes him so that's when I use my little torch. Can't believe I'm sharing my bedroom secrets with you all, hahahah