Preparing for Winter

downshifter

Mooloo wrote: »

Is there a way you could ask your landlord to install one? If you have been there for a while, and they know you are a good tenant they might be accommodating?

I am waiting to hear from Warm Front to see if I can get a grant to help sort out the heating efficiency in my cottage, and its rented. But I am on benefits at the moment. :T

They've just replaced a number of windows as many were rotting so I don't think I could expect that, they're not the greatest of landlords anyway!! So I was hoping someone might know of a type of stove that wasn't permanently fixed.

I'm not on benefits but I've had roof insulation done by one of the warmfront contractors, it's absolutely fantastic. Cost £99 for 2 bed detached cottage.

Thanks

Steel_2

downshifter wrote: »

Is there any way of making an open fire more efficient? Mine really doesn't reflect much heat into the room, I'm sure it all goes up the chimney. I almost feel I want to put a mirror in the back of it to reflect the heat, I can stand in front of it without burning my legs, so it's so wasteful of fuel even though it looks nice.

I don't know if any of these tips will help you. We have an open fire and this is what we did to make it as efficient as possible.

• We bought a very heavy duty, good quality cast iron fireback and when we fitted it, back filled behind it well so it was insulated.
  
• We made sure the access panels at the side were well fitted and sealed to stop warm air getting out.
  
• We sealed all the fire surround and mantlepiece onto the wall, again to stop warm air (and smoke) escaping.
  
• We burn a mixture of solid fuel and wood, as wood doesn't burn as hot as solid fuel.
  
• We make sure the chimney is swept every year. The grates are cleaned out every 2-3 fires so they don't stop the air getting to the fire.
  
• We never burn wet wood, as the dampness is converted to steam and not heat.
  
• We never block off all the draughts coming into the room - an open fire draws air through the house and needs the fresh oxygen to burn properly. I use a draft excluder to block off some of the draft coming under the lounge door, but not all of it.
  
• We don't have a roaring fire as the heat and flames just disappear up the chimney - just a nice little one with plenty of hot coals banked up throughout the evening.

Have a look on the solid fuel association website at their literature section for more ideas.

I've started preparations for winter yesterday - first on the agenda: a knitted cowl I can wear around the house as a scarf and pull up over my hair when I go outside. But circular needles are a ruddy nightmare! It's like wrestling with a bag full of snakes.

fedupandskint

Ticked one thing off my list of getting ready for winter :j

Bought lots of thick socks and tights yesterday on sale. This needed doing as my current ones are about to give up the gost and the 2 pairs of socks bought last winter were terrible quality from a shop that you would expect to be better.

Nice thick black tights 100 denier like wool that will do the trick for work, long knee socks to wear under boots.

I started this the other year and it worked well at keeping me warm during the day.

Next thing on the list is buying one of the mega cheap single duvets for around £5-£6 to attach to my front door curtain as a lining to try and stop the cold coming in. At the same time I will check to frame is still sealed with duck tape and I'll have another go at the single glazed pane above it, I've decided against DG it for now.

Then nearly ready, just some candles to buy cheaply - don't know where from .

Have a candle holder bought off ebay in brass and copper, have 2 wind up torches at the ready. Just need to refit the door draft excluders removed for washing and wash the ones not done yet. Also need to refit the secondary glazing upstairs in spare room which is a right job!

All blankets at the ready! Might have a scout around for some wool and attempt to crochet a blanket.

Feels nice being nearly ready, just remembered - check out drafting under the kitchen cupboards and foils behind the radiators

Savvy_sewing

My Warm Front person is supposed to be coming to see me tomorrow. Lets see what they can do for me. Although we do not have access to the roof space.? There is no loft hatch. But then again there is not that much space up there as the roof comes down 1/3 of the bedroom walls anyway.!

shaz_mum_of__2

good luck with warm front mooloo we had our loft and walls done recently and we could have had a boiler too if ours had been a bit older


fedupandskint what kind of candles? tealights are cheap(ikea,wilkinson,supermarkets) but i like household candles best as they give a brighter light usually in the matches/firelighters section of supermarkets about 70p a box


Shaz

fedupandskint

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

fedupandskint what kind of candles? tealights are cheap(ikea,wilkinson,supermarkets) but i like household candles best as they give a brighter light usually in the matches/firelighters section of supermarkets about 70p a box

Thanks Shaz

Nipped into Mr T's this afternoon and bought some from there 6 for £1.50 so not as cheap as other places but still are long and dinner party style and will do for storage and emergencies or light for nice candle light.

Also got some nice fleeces for Christmas hampers all lovely patterned ones for £3.75 from £5 but then 2 went through at £2.50 at the till. Think I will pop back and get a spare one for me now!

Fleeces and blankets ready
Candles ready
Draft excluders ready
Thick socks ready

All ready by August - September will complete the rest on my list then really are ready for the worst (Jan next year!)

This Jan I spent wrapped up in blankets when inside for most of the time!

downshifter

Leaving the heating off as long as possible is fine but having to sit on a cold toilet seat or get out of a shower into cold clammy towels is dire. What solutions have people found to those? Last winter the loo seat was icy.

I don't like sitting round in blankets as it means I have to sit in one place which tempts me to watch telly all evening. Brr, not looking forward to winter at all, in fact I'm still waiting for summer, we've just had 3 consecutive days without rain, wow!! But raining now, and there have been some really cold days. Oh how depressing!

A solution to cold toilet seat and cold damp towels would help please

DS

kitschy

downshifter wrote: »

Leaving the heating off as long as possible is fine but having to sit on a cold toilet seat or get out of a shower into cold clammy towels is dire. What solutions have people found to those? Last winter the loo seat was icy.

I don't like sitting round in blankets as it means I have to sit in one place which tempts me to watch telly all evening. Brr, not looking forward to winter at all, in fact I'm still waiting for summer, we've just had 3 consecutive days without rain, wow!! But raining now, and there have been some really cold days. Oh how depressing!

A solution to cold toilet seat and cold damp towels would help please

DS

I've always fancied one of these - reckon it would pay for itself in saved leccy Shame they don't do a small pink version! :rotfl:

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/selk-bags/index.html

Janebo12

kitschy wrote: »

I've always fancied one of these - reckon it would pay for itself in saved leccy Shame they don't do a small pink version! :rotfl:

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/selk-bags/index.html

LOL! they remind me of those baby clothes - could imagine my dh wanting one though - he'd never be out of it :rotfl:

kitschy

Janebo12 wrote: »

LOL! they remind me of those baby clothes - could imagine my dh wanting one though - he'd never be out of it :rotfl:

I'd live in it - I could get a week's shopping down the trouser legs, so it'd be a workout on the way home from sainsbugs! I'd feel like the missing tellytubbie and would be tempted to cartwheel and leap about :rotfl:

Actually, if I didn't have to go to work, I think I would only need this for the rest of my life

I am beginning to realise why I am single........:rolleyes::p