Preparing for winter III

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

I used a small electric fan heater when I lived in a student house with storage heaters. I'd pop it on when I got out of the shower to warm me while I dressed. And I'd have it on if I was studying in the evening - I always feel the cold more when I'm sat still.

We've recently had carpets fitted and the house has gotten warmer despite the drop in temperature. Also I added a double layer of fleeced interlining to roman blinds I made and attached them close to the wall so less gaps around window.

Fruball

I remember two properties I lived in (many years ago) that had econ7 storage heaters. They were appalling and I hope never to suffer with them again.

Both places never got what I would call warm, and would be perishing by early evening.

I did have an elec blanket at the second place and it was a godsend! Otherwise I found if I went to bed cold, I never warmed up and spent a miserable night cold

MoonJelly

Fruball wrote: »

I remember two properties I lived in (many years ago) that had econ7 storage heaters. They were appalling and I hope never to suffer with them again.

Both places never got what I would call warm, and would be perishing by early evening.

I did have an elec blanket at the second place and it was a godsend! Otherwise I found if I went to bed cold, I never warmed up and spent a miserable night cold

Thank you all for the useful tips. I do have a small heater fan which would be useful for the bathroom. I will google other heaters and blankets to see if I can come up with something within budget. Last time I lived in a storage heated place I was miserable most of the time but this time around I have a little one to think about.

Fruball

MoonJelly wrote: »

Thank you all for the useful tips. I do have a small heater fan which would be useful for the bathroom. I will google other heaters and blankets to see if I can come up with something within budget. Last time I lived in a storage heated place I was miserable most of the time but this time around I have a little one to think about.

Things like wall hangings help to keep the heat in... no reason why you couldn't attach fleece to the walls lol! Won't look great but if I had thought about that in my freezing houses, I wouldn't have cared what it looked like!

Bubble wrap on windows helps a lot.

Fleece under you and little one whilst in bed and a fleece over - fleece really is a cold killer! Very snuggly.

Fleece doesn't fray so you can cut a cross in the middle of a fleece blanket and wear it as a poncho in the house. Wear thick warm socks and even a woolly hat indoors if it is really cold Fingerless gloves!

ScattySkewbald

Can I pick your brains please????

The padlock to the yard where I keep my ponies constantly freezes during winter and as I'm always up there first I get the task of defrosting it - any easy ideas how I can prevent it happening? I've tried WD40 and wrapping it in an old towel but have only had limited success.

I've found lock deicers on ebay which are like heated keys - anybody used them?

Helen2k8

ScattySkewbald wrote: »

I've found lock deicers on ebay which are like heated keys - anybody used them?

Not myself, but I've heard good things about them from a friend.

Popperwell

MoonJelly wrote: »

We'll have to try that. Anybody else?

Hi MJ,
I get afraid of repeating myself but I wear warmer clothes...I invested in PJ's, a dressing gown, thermals, fleeces, bed socks, Hot water bottles, electric blankets(I have yet to use the EB's)duvets but may have to put the CH on at some point, I'm trying not to...

Popperwell

MarilynMonroe wrote: »

I always found oil filled electric radiators to be great when I didnt have central heating. You used to be able to get them that said they ran for 1p an hour (that will have changed!)

I have one of them but don't know about using it, I could put it in the room I spend most of my time in but of course electric is expensive, more than using the gas...

I just hate having to pay what I have to for what I see as essential services to having a decent standard of life...They go about not wasting energy. It would be nice to be in the position that you can...

rising_from_the_ashes

I've just been reminded about how much I dislike my house at this time of year.

Sitting downstairs (vest, thick t-shirt and fleece jumper with leggings and fleece blanket over my knee) and I'm frozen.

Just walked upstairs & it's still like an oven up there (bedroom is 24 deg & the windows have been open all day).

It's like this in the winter too - but even worse as all the heat rises upstairs & downstairs is still cold (never have heating on above frost protection up there).

I wish I could turn it upside down ......

SpikyHedgehog

Moonjelly, I'd try washing the wooly blankets with fabric softener, I've only got 1 wool blanket & the rest of our blankets are fleece, but washing it does make it slightly less itchy...

Slipper boots help too rather than ordinary slippers, though I've yet to get the slipper boots I love for us all.

When my sister had storage heaters, she'd make sure she & her little boy got changed into warmer clothes after work/school.

I got a coat from the CS today for work - massivley big on me to allow for layers underneath, & comes to mid thigh. It's only 1 layer of thick fleece but at least it will wash & dry easily.