Travelling On

Karmacat

Thanks for that, badmemory - you've given me an excellent idea for my porch.  It's only an extension of a couple of feet, but without it anyone would have to sidle around in a ridiculous way, just to get in the house.  Never occurred to me to put a curtain on what's actually the old wall of the house.  Nice one  

rtandon27

Yes, next winter is definitely the worry KC - I called the power company today and was told the fix they had offered me a few weeks ago was null and void, but then offered me another one which almost brought me to tears! I insisted that it not start until May 01 & advised them that a smart meter is not possible in our old house due to the meters not being accessible.  They have noted that on the file, so I should not get bothered. The price of that one year fix is shocking! - I've still not recovered - TBH not at all sure how we will keep warm next winter or even cook!  Looks like it will be all microwave food.

themadvix

I’m finding I’m definitely spending more time working out how to cook different things in the microwave RT. And avoiding turning the oven on if I can (fish finger sarnies for lunch were grilled as I figured it must be cheaper than putting the fan on - regretted offering them to Mr MV when I thought about the oven!)

debtfreeoneday

We are trying to work towards not using our heating next year and relying on the woodburner. It’s crazy that we are having to think like this…  the bills just can’t keep going up. But they will. 

debtfreeoneday

Oh and I forgot. We purchased two sets of thick thermal lined curtains this year for our front door and back door and it’s made such a difference heat retention wise. 

Cheery_Daff

Thermal lined curtains definitely sound like the thing - I think I'll investigate for our front and back doors before next winter. We're dreadful with window coverings too - mostly don't have any, just bamboo blinds in the living room which clearly don't keep heat in at all! Mr Cheery doesn't like curtains (or doors) 🙄 but he might just have to get over himself!

Karmacat

Wow, this is an eye-opener.  

RT, I'm sorry you've had such a conversation with your utility provider I think talking about it, as opposed to getting an email and working through the possibilities, would freak me out too, actually.

madvix - microwave is a good point.  I always cook my breakfast porridge in there, 5 - 6 minutes depending on the size of the oat grains.  I eat a lot of pasta, but I do want to start using my quinoa etc.  Need to investigate whether that can be done in a microwave.  My dried beans go in the slow cooker.

debtfree - I don't have a woodburner, though to my everlasting regret I told the previous occupants that the woodburner they were going to leave wasn't wanted   I was in the middle of a severe, years-long arthritic attack, and I remember how long it took to fill the Rayburn we had when I was a teenager ... didn't want that for my 50s and 60s.  

Thermal curtains, though, yay!  I bought some from a charity shop for my first house, they were as good as a door for the stairs up from my basement kitchen - and the cats could still walk underneath easily, to the rest of the house.

Cheery - some of mine don't have anything either, the kitchen, the back door, and a sidelight that gives light to the recess by the back door.  My curtains at the front of the porch are very thin and very lightweight, though I love them a lot.

badmemory

Are you sure you want to go into a fix rather than just slide into the SVR.  Have you read what Martin is saying about energy contracts?

themadvix

I think we might look at replacing some more radiators before next winter - in the two rooms that we have modern double panelled ones (as opposed to old-style double or single panelled ones) we really notice the difference. As this house will likely move to an AHSP for heat at some point (our boiler is still in warranty, so it pains me to think it might be soon!), this will be necessary anyway.

themadvix

KC, 5-6 minutes in the microwave for porridge? That seems a long time. What’s the power of your microwave? Mine only takes 2m 40s for one portion @ 800w. I leave it to stand for 5 mins afterwards to thicken.