How do I get my house warm this winter?

Caz6

Hi, my 13 year old house was soooooo cold last winter and I'm dreading it this winter so looking for some advice on what I should do - quick wins and long term investments will both be considered!

It is a 3 bed semi that already has loft insulation and wooden double glazing throughout (none of the panes have condensation between them) except for the patio door which is metal double glazing. I had the heating on full wack (radiators were too hot to touch) but when it was freezing outside I could still see my breath!

I am looking into a number of options already (e.g. UPVC double glazing, thicker & floor length curtains, sealing the unused cat flap) but would welcome other ideas and your feedback on how helpful the options I listed will be!

Something which didn't help (and I need to get fixed) is every time there was a strong gust of wind the pilot light blew out. I had a plumber round but he didn't know what to do about it!!! If you know how to fix that too I'd be grateful for your advice!!

Thx
Caz
xxx

Nobleck

Do you put the heating on when you get home from work, or is it on a couple of hours before you get home?
I would say start with the room stat at 21 deg C and gradually turn it up if it gets colder, however if you always have the stat on full temp you will never feel warmer if it gets colder(if you know what i mean). Keep curtains drawn to retain heat and use draft excluders on doors, have TVR's fitted to radiators so that rooms don't get overly hot. Get rid of the cat flap.
Out of interst try using a thermometer this winter and record the insternal temp of the main room when you feel cold.

thescouselander

Caz6 wrote: »

Hi, my 13 year old house was soooooo cold last winter and I'm dreading it this winter so looking for some advice on what I should do - quick wins and long term investments will both be considered!

It is a 3 bed semi that already has loft insulation and wooden double glazing throughout (none of the panes have condensation between them) except for the patio door which is metal double glazing. I had the heating on full wack (radiators were too hot to touch) but when it was freezing outside I could still see my breath!

I am looking into a number of options already (e.g. UPVC double glazing, thicker & floor length curtains, sealing the unused cat flap) but would welcome other ideas and your feedback on how helpful the options I listed will be!

Something which didn't help (and I need to get fixed) is every time there was a strong gust of wind the pilot light blew out. I had a plumber round but he didn't know what to do about it!!! If you know how to fix that too I'd be grateful for your advice!!

Thx
Caz
xxx

If your house is only 13 years old it should have pretty good insulation. Our house, which is about 10 years old, was freezing last winter too. This was because all the heat was escaping oput of the conservatory because there was no door to separate the conservatory from the rest of the house. I installed a door and it made a massive difference.

Basically you need to find where the heat is escaping. Definately seal any drafts like the cat flap. UPVC double glazing wont be any better than the woodern double glazing you already have - its the gap between the panes of glass that insulates so changing the frame wont do anything. Thick, long curtains should help a bit.

Also, you mention that the boiler is a bit dodgy, I would say this is most likely your problem. the radiators might get hot while they are on but if the boiler is being blown out regularly it might not be staying on as long as you need to heat the house. Its probably best to get this fixed first and go from there.

Poppycat

We were in same position last Winter as we moved house on 1st Feb, and we were really cold.

This year we have had loft insulated, we also fitted door seals round at doors, had a log burner fitted, not cheap but should save us money in long run, also had boiler serviced, and new thermostat in hallway. Also fitted on some rads that go on outside wall radiator reflective things, all home made, from turkey foil, card board. We are also having wherever possibly energy saving lights like gu10's its expensive like £6 odd a bulb but in long run save us energy costs so if necessary we can have more heating. We need a warn house as my 16 years old feels the cold due to a genetic problem

never_enough

I filled in a cat flap that was fitted by the previous owners & the differance was amazing. My dad had been grouting the floor by that door before I did that. He got really cold & that was only in October. You'll be surprised at the differance.
Your loft insulation should've been done, but there's nothing to stop you putting more down. Sounds as if your boiler needs sorting though, I'd book someone now, they'll be super busy in no time.

CGG

I live in a bungalow.
All the floors - except for the kitchen, are stripped and exposed floorboards. All the rooms hold their heat throughout winter - except for the lounge. (The room is 17' x 13').
It's always cold in there. You quite literally have to sit up close to the 'living flame' gas fire to even feel any heat. And that's when it's on full blast. The room is the only one in the house that doesn't have any radiators - British Gas quoted £1,600 five years ago to put a rad in there. OH thought that the figure was taking the pee, so we didn't have the work done.
The window in the room is upvc, and the room never gets the sun. Nice in the summer as it's always cool, but in the winter it's another story.
Any suggestions?

nealallen

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthandsocialcaretopics/DH_4076849

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/what_can_i_do_today/top_10_energy_saving_measures

http://www.green-insulation.co.uk/insulation/why_insulate.asp

Have a look at these site's

N9eav

It could be that you are just cold. My OH is always cold. Even with a log fire on and the central heating. I have to stand outside sometimes to cool down.

Canucklehead

Caz6 wrote: »

Something which didn't help (and I need to get fixed) is every time there was a strong gust of wind the pilot light blew out. I had a plumber round but he didn't know what to do about it!!! If you know how to fix that too I'd be grateful for your advice!!

Thx
Caz
xxx

Hi

You need a Corgi /plumber. It would be the pilot flame injector that's blocking and producing a weak flame . It can be adjusted (sometimes) without stripping down the pilot assembly.

Corgi Guy.

Liz1966

New double glazing may help. My flat was built in 1989 & had wooden, double-glazed window frames which I replaced last year. The new windows made a huge difference. There is a much larger gap between the panes of glass than existed in 1980's style glazing & I believe glass is now more energy effecient as well.

moonrakerz

Liz1966 wrote: »

New double glazing may help.

Heavyweight lined curtains are much more effective and a fraction of the price.