Preparing for Winter

downshifter

I also live in a rented stone cottage 1000 ft up on the moors and for me, by far the best thing has been having the loft insulated. Although it's rented, you can feel the difference upstairs, it's absolutely incredible how much I must have been paying to keep the birds on the roof warm! Cost £100 for a 2 bed cottage. Worth it not just financially but in terms of comfort too.

There are other ideas too, most of which are on here somewhere, but if you want just one - that's mine!

DS

And she needs to suddenly find a fault with the heater in her son's room so that it no longer works .... ..... .....

jcr16

frosty can i ask please why do u dip the cones in wax ?

i miss having a log fire. i grew up with them at my parents along with their aga. hubby also grew up with an open fire. Were thinking about installing a log burner in the dinning room, mainly for the romantic ness, but we love them. our neighbours have a log burner and it heats the whole house from the one room.

DdraigGoch

I agree with the teenager's fire developing a fault! Unfortunately mine [21] can mend things....:rotfl: I also agree with the idea of investing in some loft insulation. There are grants available for tenants to upgrade the insulation on a rented property. These links may [or not!] be useful:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018661

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Easy-ways-to-stop-wasting-energy/Energy-saving-grants-and-offers/Grants-and-Discounts-Database

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Home-insulation-glazing/Loft-insulation

hth

I'm already looking between our huge windows and my huge pile of fabric [hoping it has neither got damp/mouldy or been "moused" through last winter:eek:] and planning a major curtain making session in.... July. Heavy, lined curtains help greatly.

If your daughter is really struggling and has gaps around the windows/door frames, get her to make up some v smooth papier mache and add a good tablespoon or more of PVA bonder/glue [from builders merchants] then use that as draught stopper. It can be painted over to ensure waterproofing with varnish or gloss paint.

Another really useful thing is a door draught stopper - stuff a leg from a pair of tights with shredded material [rags]/bubble wrap [usually free from the greengrocery dept of most supermarkets] then cover with a bright piece of material et voila, fewer draughts.

The stick on secondary glazing [hairdryer stuff] is good too.

I'll try and remember to add anything else I think of, but most of the ideas are already on this magnificent thread.

mardatha

I went onto one of the links you gave, the Scottish one, and she seems to be eligible for free loft insulation and possibly help with heating - she is on child & working tax credits . TY very much for this - we had thought you needed to be very young or very old to qualify.
Snakes for doors yes I will do some - the back door doesn't fit properly at all - the windows aren't draughty though, is new double glazing . I need to trawl back through the thread, I didnt pay full attention at the time because a lot of it didnt apply to me

Butterfly_Brain

Mardatha
First take the Electric heater away from DS he will skint her using that much electric :eek:
Get a dimplex space saver one it keeps the chill off and only costs 1p an hour to run
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0522856/Trail/searchtext%3EHEATERS.htm

determined_new_ms

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

Mardatha
First take the Electric heater away from DS he will skint her using that much electric :eek:
Get a dimplex space saver one it keeps the chill off and only costs 1p an hour to run
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0522856/Trail/searchtext%3EHEATERS.htm

Thanks for this tip! ds's bedroom is cold in the winter, will be a big help! :A

frosty

jcr16 wrote: »

frosty can i ask please why do u dip the cones in wax ?

i miss having a log fire. i grew up with them at my parents along with their aga. hubby also grew up with an open fire. Were thinking about installing a log burner in the dinning room, mainly for the romantic ness, but we love them. our neighbours have a log burner and it heats the whole house from the one room.

we dip them in wax so they burn like a fire lighter,we put about 4 in the multi-stove we have then place the kindling on top,then coal and they seem to burn for longer.All my friends save me their bits of candles.

mardatha

Can I ask - is a thick velvet or heavy curtain better for draught-proofing and heat retention than a thin one lined with thermal lining ?

smileyt_2

Heads up ... Asda are selling fleeces at 2 for three pounds.

Sorry to be a party pooper in the middle of such glorious weather, but preparation is everything .....

esmf73

Thanks Smileyt - had to pop out and get some extra bits and pieces this morning - so now will go to Asda instead of Mr T. My boys will be snug this winter - AND I'll double line their curtains. xx