Preparing for Winter V

Nargleblast

If you read back through the thread, and look at other threads on the OS forum, you will notice that the forum team message about the updated rules keeps appearing now and then. A basic rule of the forum is being broken repeatedly. I strongly suggest everyone reads the updated rules and takes them on board. If not, then we could find whole threads being deleted.

-taff

Why don't we not weight shame anyone? And why don't we all agree that the NHS has not been performing as it used to do but for specific and unprecendented reasons in our current time.

greenbee

@wondercollie is in Canada, so nothing to do with the NHS. However, coming from the frozen north, she has a lot of very valuable advice on how to survive winters far worse than ones we generally see, so let's take advantage of that!

Has anyone looked at the grants for green home improvements? I need new front and back doors, so thought I might investigate. I'm also interested in the idea of adding air source heat to my oil-fired system as a hybrid option (rather than replacing the boiler which would mean a whole new heating system due to the lower temps that air source generates). That way I'd be much less likely to run out of oil in the middle of winter as consumption should be lower - and in theory it would cut costs. Although oil is cheap as... well... gas at the moment at around 25ppl. 

ivyleaf

Just to point out that Wondercollie lives in Canada so is talking about her experience of working as a nurse there, not in the UK.
Edit: Cross-posted with greenbee 

Laura_Elsewhere

A "6-mile walk" (acc'g local pathfinders leaflet) turned out to be over 7.5 miles this morning but we did at least get these chestnuts and sweet juicy sloes (verging on bullace) and a couple of conkers for me to play with  

Elisheba

I picked a bag of sloes yesterday on my walk, came home, and my dog got hold of them and ate them all.  I mean they really aren't nice on there own apart from anything else - what a daft dog!

Sylvan

greenbee said:

Has anyone looked at the grants for green home improvements? I need new front and back doors, so thought I might investigate. I'm also interested in the idea of adding air source heat to my oil-fired system as a hybrid option (rather than replacing the boiler which would mean a whole new heating system due to the lower temps that air source generates). That way I'd be much less likely to run out of oil in the middle of winter as consumption should be lower - and in theory it would cut costs. Although oil is cheap as... well... gas at the moment at around 25ppl. 

We can't get those new grants in Scotland, but we're going to apply for the interest free loan. I'm pretty certain you can get that in England too. We're hoping to add air source heating as well. So far we've been told by one company that we'd need a 2nd hot water tank (because the woodburner feeds hot water into a vented system) and by another company that we wouldn't. I'm getting a third opinion

Grabs39

greenbee said:

Has anyone looked at the grants for green home improvements? I need new front and back doors, so thought I might investigate. I'm also interested in the idea of adding air source heat to my oil-fired system as a hybrid option (rather than replacing the boiler which would mean a whole new heating system due to the lower temps that air source generates). That way I'd be much less likely to run out of oil in the middle of winter as consumption should be lower - and in theory it would cut costs. Although oil is cheap as... well... gas at the moment at around 25ppl. 

We just want some insulation - ten "nearby" companies contacted a week ago, still not a single response.  Several of the companies are listed on a business park which I know is only occupied by call centres so I think they're national salespeople, rather than builders as such.

We also want the back door replaced, but we're a bit insure of the "2002" rule.  We haven't a clue when the door was put in - it's PVC but seems very old and worn.

To be honest I don't think we'll be able to get anything through the scheme.  Best of luck to you though - it sounds like a new heating system could save you in the long run.

MrsCD

We're looking at the ECOflex system through our local council. We have a limited income, but no benefits, so we qualify. They can put extra loft insulation in, and possibly a new central heating system. We're all electric so they are pushing everyone into dual fuel where they can.

Greenglockenspiel

greenbee said:

@wondercollie is in Canada, so nothing to do with the NHS. However, coming from the frozen north, she has a lot of very valuable advice on how to survive winters far worse than ones we generally see, so let's take advantage of that!

Has anyone looked at the grants for green home improvements? I need new front and back doors, so thought I might investigate. I'm also interested in the idea of adding air source heat to my oil-fired system as a hybrid option (rather than replacing the boiler which would mean a whole new heating system due to the lower temps that air source generates). That way I'd be much less likely to run out of oil in the middle of winter as consumption should be lower - and in theory it would cut costs. Although oil is cheap as... well... gas at the moment at around 25ppl. 

I’ve started looking into it but am finding the requirement for the supplier to be government trustmark certified quite restrictive. I live in a very large town but there are apparently no suppliers for cavity wall insulation here and I have to get quotes from companies in another town who are willing to travel here rather than locals. We are also after a new front door and I’ve been quoted almost £1300 for a fairly basic one just with a half moon of glass at the top so I reckon either only expensive companies are included or they are putting their prices up specially!