Get a grip woman!

greenbee

ooh... nice list... a couple of suggestions from me as I have just descaled ALL my appliances - bulk-buy citric acid (I got 5kg of food grade, so use it in my elderflower cordial as well) and run a hot wash with 250g in the WM every other month if in a hard water area, and 2tbsp either in the detergent drawer of the DW or in bowls on each rack (you can also clean the hinges and seals with vinegar or citric acid solution. 1tbsp in half a kettle of water, 2tsp in the nespresso tank. Bother... just remembered I need to do the iron   I'd also add that it is probably also worth putting 500g of soda crystals through the WM on a hot wash on alternate months to the citric acid, and using a cleaning pod in the nespresso if you have one - the coffee certainly tastes a LOT better!

Windows - I have roller blinds and either curtains or roman blinds. Curtains and blinds all have thermal linings of various thicknesses. Some windows also have a layer of muslin curtain - I just like lots of layers, as I think it looks nice. The blinds help filter light/reduce heat in the summer (when we get one) and help with insulation in winter.

Exercise is important for keeping warm - keep your circulation going. Even one of those under-desk cycles will help! But working a long way from the kettle/fridge/loo and keeping your fluid intake up also has the desired effect  

Cheery - re. the lights, maybe you could just install sensors instead of light switches. If you don't move enough, the lights will go off

Wood burners - no bits of wood from DIY/pruning in the garden go unused. If they're not suitable for chipping and composting, they're split for the woodburner. Only the real rubbish makes it on to the firepit!

Draughts - I keep a roll of draught-strip handy so that when I find one I can deal with it.

Suffolk_lass

Ooh, some great tips there greenbee - do you think we should collate them for Martin? I'm sure none of the moderators are going to find them here... I might have to look for a thread...

themadvix

Great list and excellent points Greenbee and Cheery! I'd add - use an electric blanket for the bed (this is my plan for when we move), as while it needs to be warm to get into, you need to have a cooler room to sleep in.

You can also use the leftovers of a lemon/lime to descale the kettle quite effectively - just chuck the used up halves in, boil and leave overnight.

If you have a sunny/windy garden then washing can be dried outside almost year round - at least to some extent. It may need finishing off on a radiator/in the tumble drier, but most of the moisture can be eliminated outside.

Cheery, I think I'm with you about leaving lights on if you're alone in the house. Especially where you are. I think I'll be doing more of that when we move (a three-bed terrace in a town is less scary in the dark than a detached old cottage with far fewer neighbours!)

SL, thanks for going back to the woman on R5, saved me having to! Interesting about the smart TRVs - I'd want smart ones as in they can be monitored/controlled from my phone/Hive hub, but I wouldn't want ones with a sensor on - seems a bit daft really as you'd like the room warm before you go into it, and surely it would be forever switching on/off in some places as you walk through!

greenbee

ooh... also on the laundry drying I have a. a heated airer, which is great and cheaper than the TD and b.underfloor heating in the kitchen which seems to eliminate the need to use the heated airer for most stuff. And less ironing is needed that if things go in the TD, plus both options are better for stuff like sportswear. 

I've split the heating into two circuits, so while downstairs is already on this year (I'm a permanent home worker), upstairs has yet to be needed. I leave the thermostats to work out when they're needed, but TBH I hate it when the bedroom heating kicks in too early as it dries the air. Although I also hate it when the bedroom is freezing cold and wakes me up! Smart TRVs are tempting, but possibly not worth it at this point - maybe on my next renovation/heating system replacement?

Baileys_Babe

We have UFH throughout and as @greenbee says it is brilliant at drying the laundry. When we don't have the heating on but need to dry the laundry I put it on the airer in a small room and use the dehumidifier. 

Herbyme

On the laundry drying tips, I’m sure everyone does this, but a very vigorous  shake at any and all points in the process makes towels fluffier. Also some tumble dryers aren’t meant to be stopped mid cycle, according to the repair man they can overheat and either trip or burn out. As mine did. Annoyingly it still works on the timer , but only has 30 and 60 min options… not on the sensor settings any more. Apparently not worth repairing but can’t bring myself to scrap it and buy a new one

rtandon27

Oooo loving all the tips ladies!

We have a dehumidifier as well that we used pretty much exclusively at our old place for drying clothes in a small room.  Before that we used a drying pod, with a window cracked open for ventilation.  Have yet to decide which is the best option in the new place, but both are great for eliminating the bulk of the ironing.

Suffolk_lass

Me too, lots of lovely stuff. Our heating is off completely again (it was on 16c) as the range is on and basically warms everywhere except the sitting room. Good reminder @carolinerunner to shake the towels while they are damp. `all except DH's bath towel as he uses it as an anti-itch device. Apparently!

A couple of rounding down TTs and a quick bank reconciliation this morning and my TTs are running at £113.93 so far this month. Both current accounts will need topping up this month though. DH's credit card bill had his car service, my new phone, both small car MOTs and his VRD, in addition to some Amazing and Bay of E purchases - nightmare! Mine has a new beehive...

Speaking of beehives, we have now moved our out-out bees back to the Village, on someone's land near the boundary with a farmer's field. They were happily exploring and bringing in the last of the ivy nectar when we went to check on them yesterday evening. Fed them and the other two colonies at the local farmer's the last of the syrup I had. We will move on to fondant from now on.

Suffolk_lass

No tidying to do today but a mid afternoon email from NS&I to confirm £25 winning bond this month. After reading @greent had heard about her £25 win first thing, I just assumed I had not won this month but the email arrived at just before 4pm. How interesting!

Cheery_Daff

Interesting indeed - I found out the other day using the prize checker, but my email still hasn't arrived!