Preparing for winter IV

Snorkypants

Hi all,


I ordered my LED spotlight bulbs last night and wanted to note down the details here in case it's of use to anyone. I can't post links yet so will just note down what you would need to google.


The article I got my information from was from the Guardian 'Converting to LED lights: everything you need to know' from their Live Better: Energy Challenge series.


And I made my purchases from ledhut.co.uk . I also looked at energybulbs.co.uk . The prices were similar but ledhut had an no VAT offer on so it worked out cheaper. The bulbs have a 3 year guarantee which is good. Annoyingly, I forgot to check if I could use a cashback website.


The IT guy at work also has LED spotlight bulbs and bought all of his off EBay and is happy with them.


I bought the bulbs for the kitchen end of the kitchen-diner and the downstairs loo. I already have them for the landing (B&Q ones). So need to get more for the hall and bathroom but that will have to wait for a while. I've prioritised the lights that are on the most. (The bedrooms and lounge all have regular lights with energy saving bulbs already)


Anyway, sorry for the essay! I'm pretty chuffed because the bulbs will use 90% less energy - exciting stuff!


The next winter prep tasks will be washing the dressing gowns and the cat's bed.

Wills106

I have probably just over half the house done with led lights, they are really good and you can choose between warm and daylight for different rooms etc.

Later this year I want to replace the outside security lights with led. But choosing decent ones is a little harder it seems.

An interesting point I noted while playing with an energy meter was that my washing machine uses 60w on standby that's about £80 a year! Now I turn it off at the wall as well.

muffin_man_7

Thanks for the stand by info for washer i try to turn anything off that has light or display but not easy when im the only one trying tosave

pollys

Good afternoon preppers

The roof man has been and looked at the kitchen roof, we are now waiting for the quote which should be here in the next day or two. If they get the job they can do it in a month, that's good news as it will be done before the bad weather sets in.

We have a gardener coming this afternoon to give us a quote for cutting back the ivy. Technically the ivy belongs to the gentleman next door but it spreads across both properties (a very high and quite long dry stone wall at the front of our gardens) we have offered to go halves as neither of us are up to the job! Another neighbour recommended the gardener, he's reasonable and does a good job.

Those will be two big winter jobs done then.

It felt a bit chilly this morning, we were forecast rain at 9am but it never happened. I've been gardening with DS, the sun came out and it's lovely and warm.

Happy prepping

Pollys

nicki_2

I decorating my house finally :rotfl: Going to try and reseal around all the windows from the inside at least. The windows are between 11-14 years old and there is no expanding foam between the frames & wall so there is a hell of a draught some times! Just discovered I'll have to buy sealant though as the one I have is about 10 years old Adding it to my ever increasing list! Hoping it'll make a difference this winter.

sandraroffey

ive got lots already sorted: several spare duvets. lots of blankets, woolies, thick socks etc. but in an all electric flat, power cuts are a bit worrying for me.

only really need to sort candles and a big torch, and that should be it.

luckily there is family living close close by should i get really stuck.

pollys

pollys wrote: »

Good afternoon preppers

The roof man has been and looked at the kitchen roof, we are now waiting for the quote which should be here in the next day or two. If they get the job they can do it in a month, that's good news as it will be done before the bad weather sets in.

We have a gardener coming this afternoon to give us a quote for cutting back the ivy. Technically the ivy belongs to the gentleman next door but it spreads across both properties (a very high and quite long dry stone wall at the front of our gardens) we have offered to go halves as neither of us are up to the job! Another neighbour recommended the gardener, he's reasonable and does a good job.

Those will be two big winter jobs done then.


It felt a bit chilly this morning, we were forecast rain at 9am but it never happened. I've been gardening with DS, the sun came out and it's lovely and warm.

Happy prepping


Pollys

The roof is going to be expensive but essential. The ivy is going to be much cheaper to sort out, it will be done in a couple of weeks. The gardener said he is really busy at the moment lots of people needing their gardens cutting back, the weather has made everything go crazy!

We have a card for 20% off at our local farm shop during August. When DH gets paid at the end of the month we are going to stock up the freezer, there's not much in it since I defrosted it.
I have ventured out into the heavy rain and checked the guttering,drains and garage. Everything seems fine.

Back to decluttering and checking winter essentials.

Have a lovely Sunday.

Pollys

nicki_2

pollys wrote: »

I have ventured out into the heavy rain and checked the guttering,drains and garage. Everything seems fine.

You've just reminded me that I need to get new brackets for the downspout out the front....and I only got back from the DIY shop at midday :wall: Oh well, at least I can pick those up easily enough next time I'm at the shop.;) *wanders off trying to find a bright colour post it note to add to the front of my project book with this noted on*

pollys

I've just had a coat stand delivered. We once had coat hooks fastened to the wall but found that we got black mould growing on the wall during the winter months. There are six of us and condensation is a problem during the winter. The cheap coat stand we had buckled under the weight of our heavy coats so I've spent a bit of time doing some research and hope this one fits the bill - sturdy!

Preparing for winter, decluttering and a big clean up all seem to roll into one. I make a list as I go along of things I need to make, buy or replace.

Happy Prepping

Pollys

pigpen

New cat flap bought to keep out that draught.. now I need to ring the chimney sweepy dude to come put a lid on my chimney pot!!