What Preps are you doing this week? Part 10

[diamond lil]

* Backs away fast before jenny savages Andy *

[Frnc]

Yes, draught exclusion is very effective and cheap. I did most of my house years ago. I did find a huge one in the kitchen. The plumber drilled a new hole for the new sink an didn't fill the old one. I plugged it with a bin bag from the outside. Als I remembered to stick parcel tape over the back door key hole. I re-did my bedroom window around October in V-shaped plastic. This time I had to use self adhesive as I couldn't find non-adhesive. It means it's there all the time, but you can open and close the window, so best of both really.
I get obsessed with gas use, and have reduced it a lot this year, but bear in mind this winter has mostly been warmer than average. Normal morning at this time are 1 or 2°, today is 11.
Also, my electricity use last year was actually more tham my gas over the year. There's not a lot of room to cut down. I never use a dryer. I only use the main oven about once a week for pizza. I do use the mini oven to crisp things that have been microwaved, this is actually extra, I didn't used to do this. But it's only 5 minutes and I'm doing two things at once usually. Anyway, my electricity use is down, but only by a tiny bit. There have been a few days where I was the only one in so I turned the C/H off for a few hours and used my Dimplex electric radiator. I don't ever notice this on a typical day's use which hovers around 7 kWh per day +/- 1.5. If I look at hourly, it rarely goes over 1 kWh. Peak it 5-6pm or 6-7pm when three people cook separately.
Bear in mind I'm on old rates, I got £357 annual rebate in January on £118 direct debit = 25%. So I was paying £30 a month too much, i.e. I was using £88 a month gas and electric.
Boiler is set at 63, hot water at 43.
Heating goes off at 21.40, 22.10 Fri and Sat.
I waste a bit as you are supposed to have the TVR on max on the room where the thermostat is, which is the living room, which is hardly used. Not much I can do. The only thing I can do is turn the thermostat down. Normally it's on 17.0 or 17.5. My room is normally 19.0-20.0.
Obviously the TVRs in the kitchen, hall and bathroom are turned town. I can't do much about the lodgers leaving their all on full.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Don't forget you need some airflow it's ok sealing the house up but they need to breath I dread to think the state of some homes come the spring. Re mould / damp from inadequate heating / lack of airflow many older houses relied on the old coal draw fire draughty windows and vents to keep the house "happy"

Likewise some newer "technology ' such as incorrect application of cavity wall insulation / spray foam in lofts can cause hideous damage to the structure

Along with the lack of heating can result in condensation derived damp issues which the heating staved off

[Arzosah]

* Backs away fast before jenny savages Andy *

Ditto I remember that hard-won knowledge!

[jennyjj01]

..... Got a phone interview for a job. It's a start.
Emptied and turned off TWO of the freezers. One had failed dramatically. The other is struggling to stay cold, on the colder nights.

Good luck with the interview

Thanks.

Oh and have you tried putting a small heater in the cold room / shed / outbuilding to keep the freezer warm it'll work much better

it's like fishing I await a bite

Not Biting.

[Frnc]

Don't forget you need some airflow it's ok sealing the house up but they need to breath I dread to think the state of some homes come the spring. Re mould / damp from inadequate heating / lack of airflow many older houses relied on the old coal draw fire draughty windows and vents to keep the house "happy"

Likewise some newer "technology ' such as incorrect application of cavity wall insulation / spray foam in lofts can cause hideous damage to the structure

Along with the lack of heating can result in condensation derived damp issues which the heating staved off

I do get a bit of mould in the bathroom, despit the fan being left on for hours.
I have a few thermometers that measure humidity. My room is currently 60%. I did hang up some boxers and socks to dry in here yesterday. I never open the window in winter. Actually it's very mild today so I might open it for a bit. One lodger's room does get a lot of condensation on the window. But no mould. My humidity is usually about 55%. I have a dehumidifier on the landing in case the lodger wants to use it, but he never bothers. My t-shirts are on the banister. Humidity ouside is 82% anyway, so not sure opening the window will actually lower mine. Landing is 60%.

[jansman]

The heating/ damp/ airflow conversations are most interesting. I think it definitely depends on the type of house one lives in. For instance,ours is a good century old,and made of local granite. No cavities,no gas. Right now it’s rather breezy,and raining. Mrs J likes fresh air,and even last night the top windows upstairs were open. The back door is right now so the dog and cats can wander back and forth. No heating, and certainly no central heating! But there is zero damp.Always been like that.

I am typing this and am wearing my clothes along with a thin fleece and my standard Lycra hat ( I am bald like Bruce Willis ,but I have a huge scar from my recent surgery to protect) and am perfectly comfortable. Not sitting in a draught of course. I have no choice’cos I am not in charge!

Now we are going to nip and do some shopping. When we get back, I’ll light the stove to warm the bigger living room . That’ll do for us today. We have electric radiators in each room too,and they are used when needed. In fact ,I am replacing them with remote controlled jobs and they heat the room quickly- which is superb.They look good too,and getting them on the walls gives me some positive work . Fortunately each room has a door! That means the warmth stays there. Yes,the electric is expensive,and will be more so when April arrives by what I read, but it’s 100% efficient. One thing my dear wife picked up was a large ‘throw’ that is electric. Of an afternoon right now because of my situation,I have to rest and usually get a bit of a sleep. That electric throw ,as it is called is superb! I am quite comfortable with that until wife gets home,and I light the stove just before she gets in. It appears it costs 6p per hour to use! It seems that quite soon ,new housing will not be allowed gas too.Air Source Heat Pumps they are pushing,and that’s electric! The global shortage of gas now gives an idea where we are heading ( ultimately- which will still be a while) and electricity will be the kiddy . Indeed there are ‘gentle’ rules slipping in over solid fuel burning. Governments will not be happy until we are all freezing cold,vegan ,non travellers who work forever and die before pensions !

I do think though that folks will have to get used to wearing clothes in their houses. What I mean is to not be like my neighbour,a body building young chap ,who wears shorts ,vests and flip flops year round,then moans about his gas bills! According to my friends ,that is normal. Having carpets instead of Spanish style tiled flooring,curtains instead of blinds etc. will all be the way forward. We will see…

[Frnc]

Got my revive aids (in little pouches) for the bike bag and bugout bag. Also 6 x 3M micropore tape. I'm not convinced they go out of date but the tape in the bike bag said it was. Found one eyewash in my BOB that had expired and replaced. In fact, looking at my spreadsheet, a lot of the dressings and plasters expired in Jan, so will get some more ordered.
Actually, none have dates on, I must have just done something like roughly 5 years since bought. No mad rush. They say "sterile unless packaging is open or damaged".

Got a foot infection. Antibiotics wasn't working so probably fungal. Have to go on intensive treatment - gloves on, wash, dry, apply cream, clean socks. 3 x per day I think. Waiting for cream off Parmacy2U. Ordered hair drier to dry feet, betwee toes. I used to use my fan heater but I think this will be better. Ordered flip flops so as not to contaminate bathroom floor. Gonna use a clean microfibre cloth to dry them first. Put all cloths and socks in a spare washing up bowl. Then soak them in dilute vinegar before washing using Halo separate to everything else. Good job I have loads of socks and nitrile gloves.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Continued to clear the allotment that's the last of the brambles (for now) burnt

[jennyjj01]

Continued to clear the allotment that's the last of the brambles (for now) burnt

They allow bonfires? or incinerator bin?
My lot forbid bonfires but don't define bonfire. I THINK I can use an incinerator bin.

Mine got a dose of Glyphosate last week on some of the area that I hadn't messed with. Since it's couch grass and not fast growing just yet, I'm giving that at least a couple of weeks to do its stuff.

Days are getting brighter. Yayyyy. Can I sow yet?