Preparing for Winter V

Jellytotts

I second Marybs advice of the window vac, we use ours on windows if need be (we don't get condensation much here now we've had new windows fitted) and I use it to clean down the tiles after we've showered so that all the excess water is not just sitting about (stops the sealant going mouldy too).

We have a windows in every room either on the vent catch or a trickle vent open so that the air can move around.  I try and have the back doors open for a good 5 minutes when cooking, even if it's manky outside, it just stops the room from getting steamy/cooking smelly.

Laura_Elsewhere

We got the outside and inside of our windows cleaned this morning - as we're in a top-floor flat, it takes us a bit of time to get round to doing it, so I always feel good when it's been done! Triple-window in the sitting-room, double-window in the bedroom, each with one fixed pane which is easy enough but the others casements, so on those we have to depress a bit in the frame and then slide the hinges along so we can squeeze an arm through between the hinge and wall to clean the outside (!)... 

Anyway, our 37-mile view to N.Wales is back again whenever the weather likes to show us it!

We also got all the windowsill completely cleared of plants and odd bits and pieces, so we can pull the curtains closed each night now; tomorrow we'll move the final bits and pieces so we can close the doors from hallway to sitting-room and bedroom. 

Winer duvet went on last week (9-tog, I think), and we've filled the 'stone pig' a few times. 

Lucy5781

Been doing a fair bit of sorting the last week or so. Now have rediscovered multiple pairs of gloves, hats and coats. Kids both have wellies (hope the don't both grow again in the new lockdown, DD went up two sizes over the last one!) and decent coats in current size and next one up. I have some new boots. Think hubby might need more socks but he's not likely to be going out on the road with work as had been planned so he'll only be up in the garden office. Much better heating etc in the house since we had the insulation done over a year ago so that's not really an issue anymore. 

cuddlymarm

We had new windows and the outside walls lined against damp last winter which has made the flat so much warmer. November and we still haven’t needed the heat on so far. I know it’s not as cold this winter but every week without means a lower heating bill 😃

Uniscots97

My current house is much cheaper to heat than my previous house even though it was a new build. But my living room in current house can be cold as it's open plan to the kitchen with cold coming through the extractor fan. Not sure what I can put in place. Last winter as a stop gap I had an old towel pinned up but not sure what to do as a more permanent solution 

jamanda

Mine sported a rather fetching plastic shower cap.

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

@Uniscots97 we have the same issue with our cat flap. When it's windy it's pretty much horizontal all the time, as we are near flat marshes not far from an estuary leading to the north sea. Can't really shut the cat in or out, although l suppose we can at the moment with is all being back at home again.

We haven't had our heating on much so far either. Very pleased with that as l tend to feel the cold.

Uniscots97

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster said:

@Uniscots97 we have the same issue with our cat flap. When it's windy it's pretty much horizontal all the time, as we are near flat marshes not far from an estuary leading to the north sea. Can't really shut the cat in or out, although l suppose we can at the moment with is all being back at home again.

We haven't had our heating on much so far either. Very pleased with that as l tend to feel the cold.

I don't know what to do for the best but want something a bit better than the old towel I used last winter after selling previous house. I wondered if a piece of wood on a hinge would work

wort

I had an open stairs to living room and open to kitchen , but there are doors to kitchen that can close it off in winter, as the wind whistles through the extraction fan. I put a draught excluder in front of the doors. A few years back we actually had a wall put up to partition the stairs off as the draught used to be shocking. The difference that made was immense. And although a more expensive structural change was well worth doing. And it was just a stud wall with a door with insulation in the wall. 
Is there a way to add a double door into the kitchen???
I did have the extraction fan taken out in the bathroom,  it was wrapped in bubble wrap the whole time and the bathroom was freezing, I always open the window when showering. But again the difference in heat in the room was well worth the cost . I only wished it had been done sooner! 

littlemoney

Large open plan rooms are very popular but old fashioned, smaller individual rooms are cheaper to heat.