Preparing for winter III

Pips_Mum

We had black mould in our bedroom for the last I dont know how many years, last year we borrowed (in a never going to return way!:D) my Nans dehumidifier that she had from when she had a flood in her cellar once. It made such a difference and I agree its amazing how much water it sucks out the air!! When we first switched it on the reading was something silly like 92% but by popping it on for maybe an hour each evening its about 45%-55% now.

All but a couple of my Winter prep list is done now, hoping to get the final few done at the weekend and then we are as ready as we are going to be!

anguk

cosmomo wrote: »

Any idea how much it costs to run? I always thought that dehumidifiers were prohibitively expensive to keep running...

I'm not really sure to be honest. According to the Ebac website they cost about 2p an hour to run but you have to bear in mind that they switch themselves on and off so they're not running continuously. Also I saved money on heating my kitchen because it's much warmer since we've got the dehumidifier. There's also the hidden costs of damp problems to take into account too.

MarilynMonroe_2

Hi all
I filled up the cracks under and around the top of my window sill this evening. Ordered Tesco own make filler but they delivered Polycell, Bonus! So hopefully that'll stop a few little chills I felt.
I didnt have the best light to see how good I've done it though so will check it out tomorrow, its probably a right mess!

Was warmer today, rain stopped thank goodness!
Am still waiting for my long pants to come, so not been out.

Went up to check on daughter and her hair was soaked despite it being cool in her room so the undersheet idea must really make a difference.

cosmomo

You have convinced me! Especially since I too have baltic kitchen which I am going to curtain off with fleece. Am off to research cheap deal on a dehumidifer...:D

nicki_2

I'm watching a couple of local dehumidifers on fleabay. Hoping I manage to get one as I need one for the kitchen. Can't be doing with the damp in there anymore even with all the pots of dehumidifiers in the cupboards to keep those things dry. They have made a difference though, I could actually grind the black pepper properly last night, usually its too damp to do that

I need to either buy a hacksaw, or so if I can find the one I thought I had which may or maynot be lurking in the understairs cupboard, I will get on with putting up the curtain rail I have to hang the door curtains. I was going to do it last night but the hacksaw isn't in the toolbox :mad:

I've also got to see if I can find my list of jobs I want to do as I can't remember anything except doing the door curtains

Rainy-Days

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Something I'm having an issue with this year .... boiler has always been on a maintenance / breakdown contract that incl a yearly service but this year it's too old to renew it :eek:.

Will have to try to find someone local (who's good!) to give it a service but a bit worried about breakdowns as it's now 15 years old ......:eek: (will be sticking the money that went on the contract away, but it will take a while to mount up)

Rising - if it's any help in 2010 we had our boiler replaced after 32 years of loyal service. The gas engineer who looked after it all those years was brilliant and only charged £60.00 for it's annual service. You are better off asking around by word of mouth who is a reliable and trustworthy engineer who will not rip you off. There are a few about. Mike could have said to us years ago oh it's needs replacing but it was only in 2009 that he said to us "it's near enough on it's last legs now" I am glad we had it done in 2010 as that winter proved to be one of the worst so far.

Just another thing to remember if you do change your boiler it's worth having one with a bit of extra capacity as our engineer told us that the boiler doesn't labour as much and that it will last longer without having to work so hard!

the_cake

the_cake wrote: »

When I changed the bedding yesterday I thought how sad and flat (and rather old) our mattress protector looked, and remembered the recommendations on here for putting something thicker and cuddly underneath you to sleep more cosily. So .. I did a bit of online research, and today I went to D*nelm to buy a snuggly mattress topper. I went for the 'Rebound' one, as it felt nice and thick (£29.99 for a double, if anyone's interested). The shop, especially the bedding department, was really busy - far busier than usual - I think people are so fed up with the horrible wet weather they all feel like hibernating. I know I do!
I have put the mattress thingy on, and am looking forward to trying it out tonight.
ETA - It's WONDERFUL!!!!! I can highly recommend it. I slept really well and felt so cosy and luxorious. Even my OH (not easily impressed) came back from his night shift, slept on it today and woke up very happy - he said it was like having a new bed. Best £29.99 I have spent for a long while.

abwsco

Well, DD's boyfriend is taking down our flat roof extension ceiling down on Sunday, filling it with insulation and then plasterboarding and skimming. Roof doesn't need replacing so he says this should work to make that part of the room feel warmer. Am also reseaching best prices for a new kitchen and bathroom radiator.

All of these are an extra expense but I am not having another winter with a cold kitchen and bathroom (both on side of house that gets the bitter winds) and coldish dining room.

Am also waiting for our local ecofan stockist to get me one in. Stove is inset and we do get lots of lovely heat from it but sure the ecofan will disperse it more.

rising_from_the_ashes

Rainy-Days wrote: »

Rising - if it's any help in 2010 we had our boiler replaced after 32 years of loyal service. The gas engineer who looked after it all those years was brilliant and only charged £60.00 for it's annual service. You are better off asking around by word of mouth who is a reliable and trustworthy engineer who will not rip you off. There are a few about. Mike could have said to us years ago oh it's needs replacing but it was only in 2009 that he said to us "it's near enough on it's last legs now" I am glad we had it done in 2010 as that winter proved to be one of the worst so far.

Just another thing to remember if you do change your boiler it's worth having one with a bit of extra capacity as our engineer told us that the boiler doesn't labour as much and that it will last longer without having to work so hard!

That's what I'm hoping for - would be delighted if I could get another 10+ years out of it!

Really don't want to replace until I have to a) for the cost (not feasible just now!) but also b) the newer ones don't seem to have the stamina & lasting power and don't seem to last as long.

Fingers crossed I can find a "Mike";):)

2tonsils

We run dehumidifiers most of the time both summer and winter to keep down the high humidity here. We love them, they make a huge difference to how warm the house feels in the winter. If you are buying one for the bedroom, choose one that is quiet so you can sleep through it. We do not find it makes much difference to our electricity bills.

Use the water out of it for filling the steam iron or topping up car batteries. It is great for washing your hair in an emergency as its really soft water.