Winter "Wake & up save the pennies"

Former_MSE_Molly

What a brilliant thread, Forumites! Thank you Primrose for starting it off!

I too love my heated blanket - I find if I put in on for an hour before bed then switch it off once inside, it keeps me warm all night!

Another idea might be a door draught stopper - MoneySaving if you stuff old socks or tights with old pillow stuffing?

Keep it going!

bargainhunterss

So many brilliant ideas! The weather does seem to be turning this week, so I’ll be digging out my jumpers and (say it quietly) possibly putting the heating on!

Great idea about the foil behind the radiators to redirect heat. Would you just use the kitchen stuff or can you get more sturdy sheets of foil that will hold their shape?

Primrose

bargainhunterss wrote: »

So many brilliant ideas! The weather does seem to be turning this week, so I’ll be digging out my jumpers and (say it quietly) possibly putting the heating on!

Great idea about the foil behind the radiators to redirect heat. Would you just use the kitchen stuff or can you get more sturdy sheets of foil that will hold their shape?

Can somebody please explain how the foil is fixed to the wall to keep it in place without damaging the wall. After all its not an easy place to access and there are usually. Rackets on the wall for fixing the radiators which would impede this for st least part of the area. Thanks.

wort

I had some left over foil insulation, from when we did the laminate floor. It looks like foil but on a roll that's thick. I cut pieces the size of the radiators then cut slits where the brackets are ,or made T SHAPE pieces that sit on the brackets . As the foil is thicker it easily slip behind the radiators. Hope that makes sense ??

betterlife

Great thread! I`m a stay at home mum, so home alone most days.
Some things I do to keep us warm in the winter are:
Old quilts go under the fitted bed sheets, and fleece blankets or homemade patchwork quilts on top, our winter sheets and duvet covers are brushed cotton so these are extra cozy too.
Fluffy socks, warm jammies, dressing gowns and slippers are normally changed into once home from school.
If its raining at school home time (which is tyically when it normally starts) I am ready at the door to wipe down wet coats, stuff wet shoes with newspaper and either pop near heating (if on) or this time of year they are popped in the bottom of the airing cupboard (dry by morning) damp trousers are hung in airing cupboard.
Breakfast is hot tea or hot chocolates (on occassions) and hot porridge as warm tummys really help!
I find if I have the slow cooker on over night it really warms my kitchen (which has no heater in) so stocks, joints of meat, porridge is normally cooked over night.
If you have radiators under windows make sure you're not losing all the heat out the window if you have long curtains which are covering vent, either tuck them behind or fold onto window ledge.
lined curtains at front and back door really help keep heat in and drafts out!
Unlined curtains can be lined with cheap fleece blankets, its lightweight and can be tacked or safey pinned on if you're not great at sewing.
If you work from home or sit a lot during the day and suffer with cold feet, try resting them on a hot water bottle (or let the cat/dog sleep on them

If you have an open fire but don't use it, think about blocking it up so you don't get a draft from it, I think you can buy chimney balloons for this.
I have an open plan lounge/dining room, which always feels cold, even with radiators in both rooms, so this year I am making a big curtain to divide the room, which will be drawn to keep things cozy.
Soft lighting, fairy lights, fire light (on faux electric woodburner fires) once the curtains are drawn can make the room feel warmer.
Cushions, blankets, throws, spare quilts, even sleeping bags are great for snuggly evenings in front of tv, or have an early night.
Fill a flask to save reboiling kettle, or make a pot of tea and use a tea cosy, if you find your cuppa tea goes cold too quickly as your rooms cold, use a travel cup, or make a fleece/or knit a mug cozy!
Batch cook hm soups and casseroles, and freeze in portions, make the most of free apples and blackberries for hm pie fillings, preserves & jams.
Can't think of anything else at the moment , but I hope this helps

VfM4meplse

wort wrote: »

I had some left over foil insulation, from when we did the laminate floor. It looks like foil but on a roll that's thick. I cut pieces the size of the radiators then cut slits where the brackets are ,or made T SHAPE pieces that sit on the brackets . As the foil is thicker it easily slip behind the radiators. Hope that makes sense ??

I saw some in Lidl the other day, at £5 per roll I wondered whether I'd get the money back over the course of one winter.

(Despite the fact that I have paid tens of thousands this year to have a lot of other building work done, including heat-saving measures. Funny how strangely our brains work: I think it was perhaps the cosmetic look that put me off).

dreaming

Primrose wrote: »

Can somebody please explain how the foil is fixed to the wall to keep it in place without damaging the wall. After all its not an easy place to access and there are usually. Rackets on the wall for fixing the radiators which would impede this for st least part of the area. Thanks.

I think I have read of people pasting the foil to cardboard and placing that behind the radiators between the brackets. You might see it at the bottom of the radiator but I don't think it would be too unsightly, and can then be put away in the summer.

mummygems

None of my curtains are long enough to tuck behind the radiators (always the way). I am considering getting some of the asda cheap fleece blankets and attaching them to the bottom of the curtain and hanging that down behind the radiator. Do we think that would work?

I am also going to get a rug or two for my sons bedroom and pop some cardboard underneath the rug to make the room a bit better insulated especially the area above the porch.

bargainhunterss

dreaming wrote: »

I think I have read of people pasting the foil to cardboard and placing that behind the radiators between the brackets. You might see it at the bottom of the radiator but I don't think it would be too unsightly, and can then be put away in the summer.

That’s a good idea - I’ll have a go with some cardboard at the weekend.

Novice_investor101

Regards the radiator reflectors - I bought a kit from Amzn which cost about £25 called Radflex (or something similar).
You don't stick them to the wall, you basically cut the thick silver foil to size, slide some binders over one edge & then hang the whole thing on the brackets that attach the radiator to the wall.
It's very simple & a lot more effective than using normal kitchen foil. I tried that once before & ended up with slightly damp cardboard that was just absorbing the heat rather than reflecting it back.
The proper stuff seems to work as I've put the heating on to combat the damp air & the walls behind are cold.