Preparing for Winter V

Moneysaverme

This was always one of my favourite threads so I thought I'd get started early for this year in the hope of achieving at least some winter preps. Today, given the weather, I thought of firewood and will order some soon. Maybe there will be summer prices. I can't believe that I've been feeling so chilly in July.

This year I am also determined to line my bedroom curtains with fleece. Been meaning to do it since I first heard about it but so far have only done the front door curtain.

If I might ask, someone posted above about covering air bricks to raise the temperature. I have a cold Victorian cottage and would love it to be warmer but I thought air had to circulate? Maybe someone could enlighten me?

Finally, please bear with me, I'm not familiar with posting as I haven't done so for a really long time. I am an avid reader though!

mardatha

There's a fine line between keeping the draughts out and causing damp.. but saying that, in older houses sometimes the draughts under doors and in windows are enough.

suzybloo

We Have started buying a bag of coal every second week for the multi fuel stove. We have enough logs to last a couple of years, but will buy another load to ensure that the amount we have keeps at a good level, fortunately we have room to store them. Will need to waterproof spray all the walking shoes and the waterproof jackets, and really get organised and sort out a list and get focussed on being organised.

Eenymeeny

'This year I am also determined to line my bedroom curtains with fleece. Been meaning to do it since I first heard about it but so far have only done the front door curtain'.
If it's any help I safety- pinned cheap grey Ikea fleeces to my bedroom curtains last year to keep out the light during the summer. At least a year later they are still there! It was a quick and easy fix which does keep the light out in Summer and adds to the insulation in the winter. (They are behind a wooden slatted blind, which didn't keep the light out, and are only visible from my back garden) To be honest, these days I'm not so worried about what people think any way!

Moneysaverme

Hi, thanks for your replies. That's exactly what I did Eenymeeny with my front door curtain. I got a nice door curtain (really cheap but very thin) from B & M, fortunately it has an opening lining at the bottom, so I inserted a heavy fleece blanket that I had already inside and pinned it at the top. As its inside, it's not visible and has held up for a couple of years. Makes a world of difference and looks lovely.

Just need to do the same in bedroom and the patio doors. Like you say, this has a dual purpose, limiting the light and keeping heat in. I will do it in time for this winter!

Thanks for the reminder about winterproofing boots. I will add that to my list. I started re-reading on of the old winter preps threads last night. I do love them! Definitely an Autumn / winter person here!

parsniphead

The weather here yesterday was lovely, and dry for once , so I started filling the windows where they have rotted. I was hoping to paint them today but rain is due. Never mind, it's a start and hopefully they will last a while longer while I save for new ones.

I'm determined to be winter prepped this year, especially as I will be working from home.

jim-jim

Morning, we have an open chimney and fire back. so not a working fire. We found this when we removed the gas fire and surround.

We were thinking of having a multi fuel / log burner fitted, as a back up heating method.

Any advice before we start looking round the shops, I dont fancy being talked into buying an 'over the top' fire. All we want is a billy basic heat source.

We are in a smoke controlled area.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

x

Eenymeeny

You're obviously a tidier soul than me Moneysaverme, I will do this on the door curtain for this winter.
I've got a heavy velvet curtain which I have been using but it will definitely clash with the new carpet we've bought over the summer. I'm thinking that another one I have with a fleece inner will probably work well. What did we do before fleece 'arrived'?
Talking about stair carpets, I've just read a post from a carpet fitter stating that a lounge carpet can often be used to fit your stairs by an experienced fitter. As he says, a lot of councils ask you to remove all of your carpets when moving and if you can reuse them and save them from going to landfill it's got to be a winner hasn't it?
He's a really helpful guy who also uses his van for removal hire in the North East and he's licensed. If anyone is interested please pm me as I'm not sure about this being classed as an advert...?

Lucy5781

Lucy5781 wrote: »

New house seems well insulated so far, bedroom barely drops below 20 overnight which is a bit difficult for me right now at 31wks pregnant... Hoping it keeps in heat over winter, We're now in the middle of a small town, but it's all greenbelt outside the housing areas...

Established that when we switched on the hot water system it was running 24hrs, which might be recommended but was a bit over kill... So we've got it on timer for morning and afternoon etc now and the night time temps in the bedroom are much better!

Was starting to worry about baby overheating in our room!

Doveling

Chimney sweep came yesterday. All done £65.00 :eek:

:hello: MrsLW nice to see you lit up! Glad you're back