the ice man cometh! (merged with keeping warm)

Peartree

Amatheya81 wrote: »

I have a modurn flat with all the latest energy saving insulation but still my flat is freezing.

The advice given is wonderful but there's quite a bit of it that really should only apply to older, drafty, uninsulated houses. You should certainly do all the things recommended but your situation does make me wonder quite how well insulated your flat actually is.

I live in a 1920s detached house with not wonderful cavity insulation (apparently it can't be rectified), with possibly over-enthusiastic loft insulation (done by myself) but with only part double glazing (can't bring myself to do anything with the drafty but lovely old stained glass windows). At several windows (albeit the double glazed ones) I only have voile curtains I do have thermal linings on the others. However I'm not freezing and I'm certainly not wasteful on the central heating.

You say you are in a flat. I wonder what your position is in the building and if, maybe, all your heat is perhaps rising to your neighbours upstairs or going through partiion walls next door? It might be worth thinking (either you or your landperson) how well insulated are the internal walls, floors and ceilings. Also, you might want to think about how you are using your heating in this exceptional cold spell. Your walls will retain warmth. It might be better (and just as economical), for example, to leave it on at a very low heat all the time, boosting it a bit if necessary when you are in from work, rather than letting it go completely off at night and whilst you are work during the day.

kas65uk

I searched for an hour or more before posting so apologies if there is a similar post elsewhere.

My 8 yr olds room is darn chilly at the moment as it has 3 outside walls...wanted to get a wheat bag or hot water bottle for him but he would have to wait for anything online and I hadn't any other shopping planned today...so I looked online as I thought I should be able to find something I could botch together. Searched for homemade bedwarmer and...
1 of OH's old thermal socks
1kg uncooked rice (could use less I should think)
Put rice in sock...tie end...microwave for 3 mins...sorted :xmassmile
I put a couple of drops of lavender oil on it and wrapped in pillow case as the rice has a bit of moisture in it first few times you heat it and smells a bit, well "ricey" but it's very snuggly and would be great for backache, cramps or similar

beautiful_ravens

When I was little, my dad used to fill those glass Corona pop bottles with hot water and put them in a sock, that was our hot water bottle!!

BitterAndTwisted

They had nifty little kids' hot-water bottles with fleece covers in our local pound-shop the other day. I'd have bought one for myself if I didn't have one already

esmf73

I remember my grandma using a bottle of orange squash (no squash inside) as a hot water bottle for me when I was unwell.

twink

its cosy having a throw to snuggle round you under the top sheet and a blanket under the bottom sheet helps too

VfM4meplse

You have to be very careful with homemade hwbs that the lids seal properly so I think it is safer just to buy one preferably with a fluffy (removable) cover. The last thing we want to do is scald our precious babies.

Mrs_Thrify

I decided to ware a hat indoors yesterday, a Thinsulate one. Family laughed but I am nice and warm.

Penelope_Penguin

There have been a couple of new threads started in the last couple of days on keeping warm. Normally I'd wait until they dropped off the front page before merging, but as this is a Hot Topic :rotfl: I'll merge them now so that everyone can benefit from the collected wisdom of Old Style

Keep Warm everyone

Penny. x

skintstudentbabe

my flat is a late 40s design and im damn lucky to have a gas fire and central heating system.......im also on benefits (which i hate) but im damned if im gonna b cold so iv been looking into ways of keeping warm in the freezin temps we hav been havin while nt usin my heatin/fire more thn is necessary.......heres wat iv come up with so far.............(more ideas gr8fully received....)
1. obvious but layering up always helps....im always slobbing out in a velour trackie with 2 pairs of cotton socks and a vest plus tank tee plus long sleeved top
2. lots of hot drinks such as tea or coffee
3. a hot water bottle is a good idea
4. a hot breakfast such as tea and buttered toast or bacon sausage sauteed potatoes fried bread and/or toast is a wonderfully warming way to start the day
5. soaking in a hot bath
6. iv just got a fleece blanket (frm Aldi) wich iv thrown over my bed (my bro bought me a similar one in choc brown frm asda to go on my sofa) tht provides an extra layer
7. find a hot sexy man (or woman) to snuggle in bed with
8. a shot of scotch or brandy in my tea or hot choc is always a winner
9. base meals/snacks on protein fat and carbs to feel warm and cosy (toss veggies and potatoes in butter and finely grated parm cheese and sprinkle extra cheese on pasta dishes. snack on crisps and cheese or cheese sandwichs or tinned tuna or salmon use spices like chilli freely
10. use the cold days to ur advantage and get to bed early!!!

these may nt work for all of u and feel free to add/improve on them but i hope they work for u...........................