Preparing for Winter

carfail

thanks obukit.
i have been collecting wood over the summer, pallets for kindling etc.. havent thought about the bricks. the smokeless fire has got a glass front on it (old style parkray). this is what heats the heaters and water and costs the most too run, does anyone know if it would be safe too put the bricks in that aswell as it does build up a lot of heat in there, and is there anything else you can burn in it, somebody said to mix it with house coal / logs to make it go further but dont know if this would work

frugallass

I know someone who contacted the Forestry Commission and for something like £30 and a refundable deposit of £100 (for the padlock key to the gates) they were allowed to enter the forest and take any 'waste' wood - they filled a trailer and now have enough wood for the winter

Bargain !

miss_corerupted

The Forestry Commission only do that in some areas. It is up to the disgretion(sp) of the District Manager. I know in mid wales we don't do it.

mardatha

Carfail, ask the sweep . When we got ours it had "WARNING--NOT SUITABLE FOR WOOD" plastered all over the doors.

miggy

carfail wrote: »

i have to burn smokeless fuel too heat up heaters and water, it cost me well over 100 pounds a month last year and the price has went up a lot! is there anything i can do to make it last longer. i burn logs and ordinary coal in my open fire in the living room as the heaters dont heat up enough at this side of the house, it is only a three bed cottage by the way. any help appreciated. thanks.

I don't know how good these (below) are, or whether they would work other than on an ordinary open fire, but they would be a source of free fuel (other than initial outlay for the gadget)
http://www.thegardenersshop.co.uk/logmaker---fuel-for-free-322-p.asp

ailz95

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

larmy16 are the sad lightbulbs expensive to buy and where do you get them from as I've never come across them.Also can you get them in candle bulbs or just the normal bulbs.

I bought some daylight, energy saving bulbs from this place today. I'd shopped around and they were about £10 each - I paid £3.19 each here

http://www.cheapenergysavinglightbulbs.co.uk./

(I hope I'm not breaking any rules - I'm just saying check 'em out)

mardatha wrote: »

maybe OT a wee bit, but is it possible to get screw fitting daylight bulbs for my big ikea lamp? I dont think I have SAD but I do have bad ME and am sure the sun /summertime makes it less severe. Just thought one of these bulbs might make all the difference..

mine are screw ins too

annie123

Must get a move on, it was rather chilly last night and very chilly this morning.

• Glazing film to living room bay windows, hall window, dd’s bedroom window, our bedroom, hallway window.
• Dye and line hallway window curtain lining arrived to day
• Line hall door curtain ditto above
• Check around all window frames for drafts and caulk if needed...just finished doing it, its windy so easy to check
• Sweep chimney ready for coal/wood fires…we got brushes from b & q last year, its easy to do and not messy if you use a sheet ....DH done it
• Make paper balls for fire…dries much quicker than home made logs and works well. lots of shredded paper now from decluttering must do later today
• foil behind 2 radiators
• Buy 3 new fleece blankets
• Buy ‘sad’ energy saving bulbs…might work and cheaper than 6 months in the Caribbean ordered
• Check emergency box….torches with batteries, candles and holders matches etc all there and working have added emergency contact numbers for utilities
• Keep looking in primark croydon for their fleece pj’s…they must get them in soon! Their fleece dressing gowns are really warm, worth getting one.
• Make door snakes….ds1 pinched mine last week for his flat and has asked for help with the most of above for his place!
• Check winter wardrobe jumpers, slippers, warm socks etc. ....have checked jumpers..over 50 :eek: think I'm ok for jumpers:o
• Buy single duvet for under my side of bed sheet, DH doesn’t seem to feel the cold like me...free from friend
• car emergency box: fleece blankets, torches/lanterns, water/juice, crisps peanuts etc, no good putting twinks hobnobs in they will get eaten long before they get to the car, jump leads, book to read whilst waiting for rac/hubby to rescue me, emergency mobile charger and an old payg phone with credit…just in case I leave home without mine. Also keep old jeans/jumper/socks to change into if get soaked trying to change tyre etc car ready for winter now
• Loft insulation still needed in small section of loft but, that means I must sort out the 8 boxes that got put there 16 years ago when we moved in
• Buy Ikea tea lights…cheap and feels warm..found unopened box under wardrobe:D
• Stock up winter food cupboard...made a start
• Get more pallet wood DH has chopped some but need lots more...DH bringing home more at the weekend

Re the lining
It is different from stuff I have had previously, it is cream on one side and white on the other, does it matter which way I use it?

rosieben

annie123 wrote: »

Check emergency box….torches with batteries, candles and holders matches etc all there and working have added emergency contact numbers for utilities ...

thanks for that Annie, I've never thought of keeping emergency utility contact numbers in the emergency box :doh:

Gigervamp

Regarding using candles in jam jars, years ago I did this and one of the jars shattered from the heat.

searching_me

question i may sound dumb but ive never heard of foil behind the radaitors before why? what does it do?x