Preparing for winter IV

SEE

Rainy-Days wrote: »

It sounds like you have a multifuel burner in which case you can burn wood in them.

If you have just a log burner that means you can only burn logs because they burn at a lower heat variant than coal does. If you put in coal the coal burns hotter for longer, hence the reason why there is a difference between multifuel and log burners. The composition of the metal in these burners is different.

Providing that you check with Rayburn/parkray regarding the flue - they will give you free advice on their telephone line it should be okay. It depends on the width also of your flue of course. This is why you should check with them and they will ask you what style of burner you have and that will give them the knowledge of what diameter flue you have fitted.

The other thing you need to check is are you in a smokeless zone? If you are then you can't burn wood because that will give off smoke!!

I understand you can create smoke for 15 mins via kindling in smoke-free areas? Also, garden fires and barbecues are allowed in smoke-free areas and they give off tons of smoke!

SEE

MaddyWaddy wrote: »

Hello all,

Whilst some of you will be preparing for Spring and Summer (well I am too) I will be also starting on next Winter ... My fuel bill came in at £382 for 70 days of fuel (now I am at home 4 days out of 7 and my little one has just turned 1) - still £5.45 a day for heating :eek:

The thread moves so quickly I barely keep up but in preparations I will be skimming this thread for ideas. I recently purchased a sewing machine and got free some thermal curtain lining ... That has gone on my projects list for next year - Thermal lined curtains and door curtains.

I have also bought some wool and plan to make some home made jumpers - maybe the heating can go down a notch or 2

I look forward to having some good ideas to keep warm as cheaply as possible

I splashed out once on thermal curtains, but never again. I get mine from the charity shop now and just dye them to suit my decor. Good heavy velvet curtains are smashing and can be had for a tenner instead of over a hundred:eek:

FairyPrincessk

We have blackout curtains in the bedroom which actually do help for something so thin. I'd like to make curtains like these
http://sustainablog.org/2010/03/energy-saving-cheap-thermal-curtains/

but until we're in a more long-term home and I have a sewing machine, the time investment is better on just pinning my fleeces up.

I'd probably put a space blanket in these:D

Also--have just seen your dream stove Mrs. LW--wow--I've added that to my dream list:)

Rainy-Days

SEE wrote: »

I understand you can create smoke for 15 mins via kindling in smoke-free areas? Also, garden fires and barbecues are allowed in smoke-free areas and they give off tons of smoke!

It is solely dependant upon the area that you live in and what each council designates as a nuisance. Each council area has differing laws to their area. If you are in a smoke control area then the law is very straight forward it's no smoke!

In a smoke control area you can only burn:

• anthracite
• semi-anthracite
• gas
• low volatile steam coals

You might want to have a read of this website to check the law with garden bonfires and bar-be-ques:-

http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/bonfires.htm

MaddyWaddy

I defiantely won't be splashing out ... I have some thermal lining already and I am re-using my curtains I already have - maybe might just tack it to the back like people do with the fleece.

I know we are heading for spring but it is very much winter here today and it really highlights how un-organised I am ... was hunting about for hats, scarves and gloves ... not to mention making a mini snow box for the car.

I will be organsied for next winter ... with so much to do I want to get started now

bossymoo

Ugh we are forecast more snow this week. I've had enough now.

Bring on the warmth! I need to defrost!

alice-mary

Bossymoo, I still have my sledges and my snow shovel in my hallway as I know that as soon as they go back in the loft we will get even more snow! Now, I DO love the stuff but I am trying to be considerate to those around me who are feeling fed-up. If I was allowed to be selfish about it, I'd gladly have the snow, have lovely stews, coal fires and all the cosy stuff that can be done without feeling guilty!

As it is, my poor cat is feeling sorry for himself and as soon as he hears the central heating clicking on, he climbs onto the radiator... otherwise he is curled up underneath the fleecy blanket that is a permanent fixture on the sofa!

Alice
x

Eliza_2

alice-mary wrote: »

...... have lovely stews, coal fires and all the cosy stuff that can be done without feeling guilty!

As long as you've got the stuff in to make stews, a good supply of coal and electric power. I'm snowed in, the local village is cut off - fun isn't the word!!! This certainly puts the 'Preparing for Winter IV' to the test!

Fruball

I've heard that people in Lancashire villages which have been cut off are running out of food :eek:

I'd have to be snowed in for quite some time before we went hungry and I wish people would keep a decent store in

Imagine all those people without power too :eek: That would be truly horrible. I had no power one winter but only for about 3 or 4 days when our village was cut off because of snow drifts - it was horrid but I was younger then and had no kiddies so it was easier - I didn't have a store cupboard though and our shops ran out of candles very quickly so I spent most of my time in the pub with friends

alice-mary

Ah Eliza, I didn't mean to offend anybody.... I hope things improve for you all very soon! I guess I am lucky that we haven't had things too bad here at all... and thanks to this thread I DO have the supply of coal, camping stove with gas and a load of food items items stored to keep things going, as well as fleecy blankets everywhere etc. As I said, I really do hope that things improve for anybody struggling very soon xx