Winter draws on

[JoceAndChris]

Frost!! :shock: :shock: :shock:

I'm going to be ready for it this year, last year caught me unawares and the cold in here was annihilating. I swear it's significantly warmer outside than in. Already I'm unable to use the butter it's so solid. What are people's strategies for dealing with the cold? It would be great just to put the heating on 24/ 7 but it just roars through oil at a scarily expensive rate.

As well as the oil fired rads, we have a number of electric heaters. We used them a lot last winter, believing they'd be cheaper to run than just switching the Rayburn on. But I.S.T.R. that our electricity bill was £700 for the quarter, which perhaps means that strategy is just silly.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated, as ever.

 

[MdB]

Dry line walls with at least 50mm of Celotex :twisted: No? Oh, alright then :wink:

If you want to go down the electricity heating route then night storage heaters with Economy 10 tariff will reduce the cost to around 5p / unit and gives you heat 1pm to 4pm, 8pm to 10pm as well as 1am to 6am. Personally, I hate them as they are big and ugly and don't work well on Economy 7 electric but it is worth considering as they are relatively cheap to fit.

 

[TimM]

We used to heat our back-to-back cottage with electric heaters - admittedly we only had one outside (thick stone) wall, but bills were low - we had them all on timers so only heated the rooms when we used them - used to cost us about a fiver a month! You should wear more jumpers too! In our new 1920s house we've got central heating - yey! but old habits... nothing nicer than hunkering up under a blanket in front of the TV. I think we have to get away from the expectation of being able to wear summer clothes indoors in January.

 

[17c_lancs]

Wrap up warm - winter drawers on!

 

[Pford75]

We find that Winter brings us more together as a family. Instead of being dispersed around the house, kids on a computer, another doing homework etc. we light a nice fire in one room which is equipped with nice throws or blankets...close the shutters, draw the curtains and settle in for an evening together. We can happily coexist in a single room for hours when the temperature gets cold enough outside.

Another option is to purchase the largest plasma television you can find (my male weakness for sport) - they give off almost as much heat as my fire

 

[Flyfisher]

Earlier this week it was definitely warmer outdoors than inside. We had some rain in the morning and it was noticeable humid when going outside. I took my camera outside to take some photos and the lens promptly fogged up.

But I have to say that I enjoy this time of year; bright sunshine on morning dew with a fresh nip in the air - wonderful. Clothes-wise I use the time-honoured multiple layers approach; tee-shirt, polo shirt and one of those large padded shirts that builders always seem to be wearing. Not exactly high-fashion but very effective. Fleeces are also good, especially ones with high collars to keep the neck warm. If things get particularly grim then the thermals can be called into service. Otherwise, blankets on the sofas are pretty standard and an electric blanket is essential.

 

[johnandrew]

Have you ever looked at infra-red panel heaters? I am considering one or more of these for my workshop/cellar. I have been looking at these ones.

John

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks for all the lovely, entertaining responses!

Johnandrew, I hadn't seen the infra red panels before, how fascinating! Anyone got them? I could really do with one in the girls' room.

Flyfisher, yes, was hoping someone would give me clothing advice. What's the warmest thing to wear on your legs? Are there any thermals that are paticularly good? Bought Asda George ones last year, rubbish! I'm writing this in flimsy cotton and a pashmina, clearly I need to go shopping. Curtains, blankets, fleeces are not very much in evidence here. That's because I'm so fussy I hate buying cheap and everything has to be a million thread count and silk and cashmere and the consequence is I freeze becasue I can't afford those things all at once!!!

MdB, I agree with you that the storage heaters are very ugly. The rooms here are not large so it would be difficult to conceal them.

Do you think my roof needs some stuff in it? And has anyone used dry glazing tape for draughty old windows? http://www.reddiseals.com/acatalog/glazing_tapes_dry_glazing.html

 

[Feltwell]

Well, being a rufty-tufty biker type, who for many years only had motorbikes as transport, I developed a keen interest in not freezing to death whilst riding round the country.

This stuff is very good:-

http://subzero.co.uk/technical/factor2.php

Even bikers like to be warm!

Actually, it's more ex-rufty-tufty biker type these days. I spend more time driving a tin box around now, and a people carrier at that!! What happened to me? Kids!

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

You want me to wear that??? http://subzero.co.uk/documents/downloads/subzero_eng.pdf

I'll look like Batman's mum on a bad day! :lol:

It does look effective though.

 

[Feltwell]

You want me to wear that???

Hey, there's far weirder things that some people like their partners to wear!

Anyway, I don't want to have any influence over your underwear attire thank you very much, I'm a happily married man don't you know........ :lol:

 

[yamin]

Hi Joce

See my reply to you on another site! But we went without our central heating for the WHOLE of last winter - our bill was about £70 for the quarter! We do have a log burner and that was really good and kept one room warm and cosy. Rest of house was freezing and we'll prob heat a bit more this year, but having said that, I hate a hot bedroom. We have just bought a snuggly new feather duvet, so its lovely to be warm in bed whilst cold outside it, except when you have to get up! Bear in mind that central heating is bad for you - really - so by wrapping up and coping you are arming yourself much better to ward off winter bugs!
Use old fashioned draught excluders on any cracks under doors, and a warm velvet durtain over doors/windows or doorways works wonders - obviously external doors are the worst for draughts!
Oh, go to local swimming pool and shower in their lovely warm showers!
For warmth, personally speaking, I buy cheap (yes, sorry!!) primark brushed cotton pyjamas (I favour a really cute pair with cuocakes all over them!!!!) mand a lightweight but very warm fleecy dressing gown. I am far warmer in this than any of my daywear clothes, hoooded tops or not! During the day I find if I keep moving and wear thermals (try damart on line, very fetching!!!) I am OK. Layers layers layers! And seriously, a brisk 30 min walk (for me a swim or run) first thing will warm you up for hours after!

Must say as well that one winter we did keep a spare duvet downstairs for sitting watching TV snuggled under, and that was fine (a dalmatian and a jack russell and 2 cats insisted on sharing too!!!!)

 

[yamin]

Use old fashioned draught excluders on any cracks under doors,

By which I mean those stuffed furry snakey things! Very fetching!

 

[JoceAndChris]

I was looking at beautiful furry crocodiles last week, sweet. The trouble with closed doors and draught excluders is the cat. As soon as you shut a door, he's there with the evils, messing with your mind until you open it again. That's why I've had to cut a few cat-shaped holes here and there. They're terribly draughty, going to have to make miniature curtains with swags and tails for them.

Abi, just don't know HOW you did a winter on £70 of fuel. You must be a very tough gal indeed, all that sport I think. Yep, duvets, blankets, brushed cotton, damart, PJs - I need to go shopping! And a plethora of animals in the house sounds rather wonderful, Chris won't let me bring the girls in-can't think why. You can get chicken nappies from America for cleanliness.

I also think not having central heating is great for the skin and the respiratory system.

 

[MdB]

Have you ever looked at infra-red panel heaters? I am considering one or more of these for my workshop/cellar. I have been looking at these ones.

John

I am afraid to say that some of the stuff stated on that website is complete and utter b....... (hmmm, there are various terms being with B that could go in there. Maybe I should add them to the dictionary...)

 

[yamin]

Chris won't let me bring the girls in-can't think why. You can get chicken nappies from America for cleanliness.

Well, how can he be so unreasonable?????! Nappies? Shame on you, you should use washables like we did! Can just see a chicken on a chenging table!! :lol:

And cat shaped holes???? I have a scene from 'Tom and Jerry' in my mind! How about cat flaps?? No prob with draughts then - and you could always cover the flap with a bit of Kath Kidston fabric??

 

[Flyfisher]

Flyfisher, yes, was hoping someone would give me clothing advice. What's the warmest thing to wear on your legs? Are there any thermals that are paticularly good?

I find an ordinary pair of thick cotton trousers are usually enough. I'm told that tights underneath trousers is also good, but I've never felt the need to try. I don't often resort to longjohns, it's usually if I'm going to spend some time in the garage fixing the mower or tractor and won't be moving about much. Not sure where I got my thermals from, probably M&S.

Following up Feltwell's motorcycling suggestions, I believe that electrically heated underwear is now available for bikers, although it might not be that practical if you're moving about, but might work when just watching the telly or computer.

On the few occasions when I've got cold right through I resort to a nice hot shower to warm me back up again.

But basically, Yamin had the right answer with "layers, layers, layers".

 

[johnandrew]

Have you ever looked at infra-red panel heaters? I am considering one or more of these for my workshop/cellar. I have been looking at these ones.
John

I am afraid to say that some of the stuff stated on that website is complete and utter b....... (hmmm, there are various terms being with B that could go in there. Maybe I should add them to the dictionary...)

Ah, ok. Can you tell me more? I don't want to go down that route if it will be a waste of time.

John

 

[Michelle73]

I love Autum/Winter when we have big blue skies and a nip in the air. Fortunatley I'm not a very good clothes horse so anything goes when it comes to keeping warm.I usually pinch all of hubsters lovely thick wool jumpers and always always wear those colourful, warm toastie socks that Mother gives me for xmas...time to dig them out again!
And we're forgetting the obvious which is a nip of whatever you fancy to keep the chill off when the nights draw in. I always prefer a Red wine in Winter to white for some reason, Oh and a little Port now and then )
Scented candles can help warm a room up a bit and of course there are bubble baths to be had which I never bother with during the summer.
Hot Water bottles in wolly/fleecy jackets for bed time.
Driving to work on a chilly morning with the heated seats on to warm yer bum up.....Lovely

 

[yamin]

Driving to work on a chilly morning with the heated seats on to warm yer bum up.....Lovel

Ooh, get you!! Only way I get heated car seats these days is to wee on them! :lol: :lol: :lol: (Spot the note of envy there!)