Preparing for winter IV

mishmogs

I'm still here as well..... may have a looksee at the spring and summer threads..... I cant wait for the warmer weather to come....

FairyPrincessk

Just been reading about the rise in profits for British Gas this morning--yet again, a rise in profits when

"Anne Robinson, director of consumer policy at the price comparison website Uswitch, said: "Seven out of 10 of us actually went without heating at some point during this winter and over a third of us have reported that we feel it's actually affected the quality of our life and also our health."

I've done winter preps two years in a row now. We moved to a house with a more efficient boiler, line curtains, wear thermals and hats indoors and generally shiver our way through the winter months. Our consumption is well below average, as when we phoned up about a slight jump in our bills the company we're with was shocked that we were concerned about what we were spending:( All winter I've felt like it was a battle between my ability to tolerate the cold and my ability to STOP FEEDING THE ENERGY COMPANIES.

If they're making such big profits, why can they not be expected to invest those profits into R&D to fund sustainable energy? I agree, sustainable energy should be a priority, but if we have privatised energy companies, then shouldn't they be required (as all private companies are) to reinvest some of their profits into R&D?

I'm just so frustrated. I'm tired of limiting myself to one room under a blanket for months out of the year and worrying about if I'm heating other rooms often enough to keep damp at bay, I'm sick of feeling guilty if it is warm enough in the house for me to take my hat off, and I am absolutely sick of watching energy company profit rises year in and year out--and I'm relatively healthy and can move around to get warm--what about those who can't?

Unfortunately it will be a very long time before OH and I can afford to buy a house, and we are unlikely to find a rental with alternative energy options. I just don't see an end in sight and it is really getting me down. yes, in the next two years or so our financial situation should (fingers crossed) improve significantly. But, inflation and energy prices specifically will probably mean that in real terms we're even less able to afford basic comforts.:(

I'm just so sick of it and feel so frustrated that I don't seem to have any options.

[Deleted User]

FPK we stopped running the central heating some years ago when we had our woodstove installed, we are as insulated as you can get, took advantage of all council offers for pensioners and had cavity wall, new windows,loft top ups etc. I am sitting here typing with freezing hands but I know when I get moving on the housework I'll warm up. We have made choices that a lot of people will think batty just because I will NOT pay the stupid prices for utilities. We warm the lounge and our bedroom (the only one in use permanently) is above it so it picks up warmth from below. We don't have debts, won't allow ourselves to be in that position and are more than prepared to put up with the slight inconvenience of running colder in the winter months. I would much rather do that and be able to stay above the bread line than use the heating and be in debt. We wear hats indoors too, and snuggle up under throws if it gets too chilly in the house before we light the stove. In a world where we all have choices, some of those by necessity will not be easy, but it works for us!!! Chin up little one, Spring is just around the corner!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

FairyPrincessk

I know-it is a choice...and I suppose I'm lucky to have it.

I'm so jealous of those of you with insulation and wood stoves! It is a dream of mine, once we're both out of full time education and have made some headway into the student debt. OH should be in employment next year which is very exciting--I keep reminding myself that for what I've achieved my student debt is actually not nearly as bad as it could be--and that the frugal skills I learned trying to keep it low will mean I can get out from under it much faster! Plus, all this waiting around will mean that when we are in a position to start saving for a home we'll know exactly what we want!:o

And--I cannot WAIT for spring!:rotfl:

[Deleted User]

We've only had the stove for a few years, saved up and paid for it outright and I must say it is the thing in life that gives me more pleasure than anything else we have ever got. I was over 60 before I got mine, you're only a littlie, you'll get yours much earlier than that, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do, it's more interesting than the TV and you'll become obsessive about your wood supply, you have been warned!!!!! It's good though! Cheers Lyn xxx.

FairyPrincessk

Is it sad that I've already made a mental note that B&Q give away Christmas trees for free in January? I might already be obsessed with my future woodpile!

Thanks Lyn, you've cheered me right up.x

Eenymeeny

I can sympathise with FairyPrincessK, you made some good points there, and thanks for the encouragement MrsLurcherWalker. I know that there are a lot of us who are getting fed up with trying to keep warm as cheaply as possible. I actually find myself getting annoyed when OH puts the heating on, as I try to keep it off during the day if I'm home alone. The only comfort is that we've all done as much as we can to reduce the heating bills when they do arrive.
Mrs LW, my OH is determined to have a logburner installed this year so that we'll be independent in providing our own fuel. I'm a bit reluctant as I not keen on the idea of having to go out and get fuel rather than just switching the heating on. (I'm also taking into account that we may have to rely on carers to light fires in the hopefully very distant future!) Maybe that's too much forward thinking!
To finish on a more cheerful note we've had a beautiful warm, sunny day here today, I've actually been out working in the garden without a coat! I know it was a fluke but definitely a sign that Spring is on the way. I hope that everyone else had lovely weather too, it certainly helps to lift your mood

FairyPrincessk

I've just found the multifuel stove of my dreams and pinned it to my dream house board on pinterest. It has an arm to hold a cookpot or kettle and the doors can be opened for a fireplace effect or use as a grill. I'm smitten. That should keep me going, and when I'm chilly I'll just think about how much faster I'll get my house, and a stove to go in it..

I told OH about it. He says the cat we'll have in the dream house will love it as well!

[Deleted User]

Hi EENYMEENY we take wood from wherever we find it (legally of course!) and you'd be surprised at the number of people who get in touch if they take down a tree, or dismantle an old wooden structure, we even have a lovely local builder who delivers his odds and ends to us because it costs him lots to take them to the tip. We have the habit of asking politely if we do see piles of what looks like waste wood and most folks are so pleased not to have to dispose of it themselves and really glad to see it put to use. We were given most of the old wooden decking our local pub replaced a couple of years ago, which we are still using this year, there was a lot of it! If we do have to buy in logs, we try to do it in the summer months as they are usually cheaper in the non burning season. We are both pensioners and get the heating allowance which we save purposely to buy wood. Our log store is 12 of the builders crates they deliver paving slabs in, most people are glad to give them away if you ask nicely. Palletts are also a good source of wood, as are skips if you ask nicely. The work is in the cutting it up but He Who Knows invested in a couple of 'LOG BOMBS' which split big chunks very well and a circular saw which deals with the smaller stuff, I'm just the labourer in charge of the wheelbarrow and sometimes if I'm really good, I get to stack it up as well, Cheers Lyn x.

FPK if you want to see my dream stove google ESSE IRONHEART - I don't own one but I WANT to. We have a Clearview Inset Stove which fits into and doesnt stand in front of our fireplace recess and it heats the brickwork above it so well it asct like a masonry heater, it is still really warm to touch in the mornings and keeps the room warm as it does a slow heat release, Lyn xxx.

Eenymeeny

Thanks for all of that info MrsLW I'll pass it on to my sister who has just had a log burner installed (You can see where OH is getting his enthusiasm for logburners can't you?) I like the idea of your inset stove. I'm sure that we'll end up getting one, I love to look at them and the homely smell...