Preparing for Winter V

greenbee

twiglet98 wrote: »

I had to replace the tank for my heating oil a while ago and the new (second-hand) plastic one came with a wireless sensor that is supposed to show the oil level on an LCD plugged into an indoor socket. Mine has been reading half a tank, and I've been smug about how well I was conserving it - the heating hasn't been on yet and was only at 15C last winter,, DD1 and her fiance moved out just after I'd filled the tank, and I use a lot less hot water. Then yesterday evening there was no hot water, the boiler had shut down despite the oil level monitor reading 5 bars, so I dipped a (clean) garden cane into the tank only to find it's actually empty.

This tank doesn't have a sight gauge like the old steel one and anyone relying on a Watchm@n sensor might like to dip test too, mark the level on the cane with the number of bars on the display, and just check it once in a while to monitor how they compare! I wish I'd realised this before running out of oil with a chilly few days forecast and a load of wet washing hanging around.

I had a watchman on the old one and it was rubbish. The new one has also come with a watchman, but it isn't fitted yet. I'm not sure it's worth doing... I might sell it instead... I find the best way to tell how much is left in the tank is to get up in time to check the condensation levels on the tank. Of course, I haven't done this recently as the tank was full in September and I'm pretending it will stay that way. I can't afford a refill anyway...

toozie_2

Hi Kittie

Thanks for the info, they have actually started this week already.

She lives in a rural village-no mains gas, in a property probably dating to at least the 1800's. It was 2 small terraced houses, which had been knocked into one in about 40 years ago-by previous owner, the walls are some 12 /18 inches thick.
The house has 2 staircases & 2 bathrooms, stone floors, which suits my friend as she has a grown up daughter at home and well as a 13 year old.

Her heating was/is run on calor gas bottles (tall ones) -which cost an absolute fortune and the house doesn't get warm.

I think the scheme that is installing the heating system has gone through the options she can have for the area & type of house & the costing with her.

Maybe it's the best option? Will speak to her tonight.

Thank you :beer:

Doveling

:rotfl:IVF!
Perishing here this morning, any ideas on keeping the birdbath from freezing over?
So jealous of all your snuggly cats. I love them but am allergic

good_advice

Winter begins on Sunday 21st December this year. Less than 3 weeks time.
Yet! the cold frosty weather begins earlier in the uk.

I am glad of our well insulated home
Thermal vests, jumpers, slipper boots.
All help in keeping the heating bill low.

good_advice

Doveling wrote: »

:rotfl:IVF!
Perishing here this morning, any ideas on keeping the birdbath from freezing over?
So jealous of all your snuggly cats. I love them but am allergic

Try putting a plastic ball in the water?

This morning I was reading some folk have used anti freeze But makes the animals very sick or dead if drinking it.

[Deleted User]

toozie wrote: »

Hi Kittie

Thanks for the info, they have actually started this week already.

She lives in a rural village-no mains gas, in a property probably dating to at least the 1800's. It was 2 small terraced houses, which had been knocked into one in about 40 years ago-by previous owner, the walls are some 12 /18 inches thick.
The house has 2 staircases & 2 bathrooms, stone floors, which suits my friend as she has a grown up daughter at home and well as a 13 year old.

Her heating was/is run on calor gas bottles (tall ones) -which cost an absolute fortune and the house doesn't get warm.

:

toozie, she will need to keep her pellets in a dry place, like a garage or outhouse. They must not get damp. Her best bet is a pallet or half pallet as there may be someone to help her move them under cover. The cost includes delivery. It will still work out at around £3 but at least they will be delivered. The pellets to get are woodlets or balcas or verdo. The ones in 10kg bags. Maybe somewhere indoors like under a staircase. I have bags scattered in my hall and utility as well as in the garage
http://www.whitehorseenergy.co.uk/Wood-Pellets

Nargleblast

good_advice wrote: »

Try putting a plastic ball in the water?

This morning I was reading some folk have used anti freeze But makes the animals very sick or dead if drinking it.

Apparently a lot of cats have died in the Nottinghamshire region in the past couple of years due to drinking from garden water features that had antifreeze added. There is talk of a campaign to get Bitrex added to antifreeze to make it less attractive to small mammals. Hope this happens, because my two mogs often drink from our garden fountain.

Crochet_Teapot

"This year is in the running to be the hottest globally and for the UK since records began, early estimates show." BBC latest

but I want snow.

[Deleted User]

We finally heard from our builder today after having him in to quote for a new bathroom and more crucially replacing the last 3 single glazed windows we still have in the house last March and not having been able to make contact with him since them as he wasn't answering either of his phones!. One of the window replacements is to install a double glazed but opening window high up on the landing (it's a fixed in place one at the moment and doesn't open) as we get constant condensation on the single pane and also in the bathroom where it is single glazing too. Hopefully we will be able to have a warm shower soon, we only have the bath at the moment and also he'll be putting us in an extractor fan so hopefully no more damp and condensation. It's going to cost us a few pennies but I see it as winterproofing for many years to come.

cherryblossomzel

Crochet_Teapot wrote: »

"This year is in the running to be the hottest globally and for the UK since records began, early estimates show." BBC latest

but I want snow.

They mean this calendar year, there's still a chance to get snow this winter.