Preparing for Winter V

C_J

Thank you all for your input - much appreciated.

Living_proof

A friend of mine tried a bit of coal in his wood burner and it warped the whole thing!

greenbee

Burning coal without a coal grate not only isn't as efficient (the point earlier about needing airflow from underneath) but can also corrode both the stove and the flue if you have the wrong kind of liner. It's really not worth it. 

Laura_Elsewhere

C_J said:

We leave a bed of ash. It's not a multi fuel stove but I am sure the company who fitted said we could burn the occasional bit of coal, but I don't want to wreck it!

A bigger problem could be that coal-burning can build up flammable deposits inside the chimney-pipe, more or less depending on a number of factors such as the type of coal , hard or soft, etc., and how hot the fire is burning, etc.- with a coal fire you can get the chimney swept annually, but a wood-burner typically has only a narrow pipe, mostly not visible, doesn't it? So I'd be more worried about it gradually and unpredictably increasing the risk of a chimney-fire up in the roof-space where you wouldn't know til too late! 

(Obv, multifuel stoves are designed for multifuels!)

leftatthetrafficlights

Don't have a clue about anything other than open fires so can't help with the woodburner query! 

Garden stuff is coming on well - we'll definitely have enough produce to have healthy stocks for the winter 😁 

We've made removable covers for the open fireplaces that we don't use in the house - that will reduce the heat loss in the autumn/winter - I was thinking about getting a woodburner for one of them but it wouldn't be worth the money really - plus it's in my office and I'd never get any work done as I'm a flame watcher 😂 I'm reluctant to block it properly though as I may change my mind in the future 🤔 

I've just bought a good stock of batteries cheap so have plenty now and bought my first two bags of coal (discovered that bulk deliveries need to be 'open' and as I don't have a coal store, that would make it difficult to keep dry) - I'll just keep buying bags regularly. 

Primrose

Obviously one needs to have heat or warmth in living accommodation but I wonder if anybody has done any sums to compare the amount of money spent on "renewable" warmth resources versus "expendable" sources.   By this I mean comparing the expense of buying really effective thermal and warm indoor clothing that can be washed and worn time and time again, versus 'one off' purchases like coal or logs, which are only used once and then gone, so you reap no renewal benefit for your expenditure.

A few years ago I bought an incredibly thick body warmer from a charity shop for £4 which I often wear indoors in cold weather.  It  keeps me warm  even when the heating is turned off.   I wonder for how long these days £4 would last providing heating from gas, electricity, coal or logs?.     For some people, doing this kind of expenditure review and opting for alternative "renewable" ways of keeping warm in winter may be rather eye opening, especially when October heating bills start clicking in. 

maryb

there was quite a lot of coverage of Martin's advice to heat the human not the house and I was surprised that so many reactions were negative.  

Primrose

maryb said:

there was quite a lot of coverage of Martin's advice to heat the human not the house and I was surprised that so many reactions were negative.  

I must have missed reading that.  Is there a link somewhere? 

Of course we would always prefer to live in a warm winter atmosphere but for some going forward, difficult decisions between Eating versus Heating are going to have to be made when the coming winter energy bills start arriving.    "In the olden days" few people had a choice when the only heating in a home was a coal fire in a living room,  conditions in the rest of the house were icy and everybody went around wearing thick coats or shawls.    Most of us are fortunate to enjoy higher standards of living these days but until comparatively recently, ie the end of  World War II, this is how most people lived and thought it was the norm.    We take all these improved living standards for granted now but it takes a war in Ukraine to make us realise that some of these standards can be quite fragile now the world is co-dependent on many natural resources.

MingVase

I'm investing in knitting wool and thermal clothing for this coming winter.

pollyanna_26

MingVase said:

I'm investing in knitting wool and thermal clothing for this coming winter.

I picked up a belated mothers day gift a few days ago. Something very unlike the usual ones. I do prefer natural fabrics but this is teddy bear fleece. I've been using a VShape pillow since last winter and the cover is Teddy Bear Fleece very warm and cosy.

The present looks like a fleece cushion but unfolds to something like a long dressing gown with a pocket for feet at the bottom.

It was late when I got home and ccld. I sat down for a while then decided to have a look at the strange  cushion.

I unfolded it tried it on and sat in the armchair I woke up hours later still in the armchair, warm as toast and no aches.

I'm so impressed I think I may become  obsessive about teddy bear fleece.

I'm now wondering if it's possible to buy it as knitting yarn! Oh the things I could make. I was already planning to buy the bedding from the VShape range but it will be nearer Autumn when Marks have it in stock again.

 

I think we're all going to have to do all we can to not rely so much on the National Grid etc.

Nice to see you Mar.

pollyx