Cath11

That is a really good idea. I’ve just acquired a pre formed pond that I am going to put in.. I will do the same with the the small bits

Thank you for this, I will try to source some

Yes you may be right

Hi thanks, yeah I already have a log store and usually buy my logs in May for the coming winter, as I intend using the stove more it’s a good idea to see if I can collect some of my own too but they probably wouldn’t be dry enough to burn this year

Well mines definitely cold then as there is loads of space in there, I will leave it alone!

I have no idea .. there is literally nothing on the eaves except the membrane that’s under the tiles! But you are right and condensation would be a horrendous problem to sort out. I think I will leave the eaves alone to breathe

I have no idea what the liner is but after burning the smokeless (compressed coal dust) for a couple of days I’ve given up and gone back to logs. The fire only burned as hot as the logs if fully open and that burned them down in no time, they aren’t cost effective. I feel so sorry for those who are really going to suffer, I’m very lucky in that I can keep costs down by turning off the gas, others won’t have that luxury

Hi, I’ve got air under the grate and tried the smokeless but it’s a no go, will end up costing more than the logs. No I don’t need it in all night, it was an idea but as you say the chimney breast stays warm to take the chill off

Yeah I’ve decided against it. I tried it over the last couple of days, just the smokeless on its own, it wasn’t getting as hot as the logs for optimum burn unless it was fully opened up which burnt through them in no time. So I’m back to logs! I’ve ordered some heat logs, will give them a whirl to run alongside the logs and see how I get on!

I work from home and have had the heating on between 10° and 15° all day, some days were bitterly cold but I had several layers on and a hat. Next winter I won’t be able to afford to have the central heating on so I am planning to just run it for an hour a day to get some warmth into every room. I’m hoping running the burner and leaving the doors open will help. Adding extra layers of insulation to homes is great, but it’s not so simple if you can’t do it yourself and have to pay someone to do it. Many people may be able to afford to buy the materials but then can’t afford to pay for the labour.

British Gas came out and sorted out cavity wall insulation, new lagging for tank, looked in loft and said they couldn’t help with that. The whole of the floor in the loft is insulated and boarded. The eaves aren’t. A handy man/woman would no doubt be able to fix up some battons, insulate and board .. unfortunately I’m not that handy. Everywhere is double glazed . I switch off the shower now while lathering up. Kettle only boils one cup at a time. Switch everything off now when I go to bed and have decided against leaving a fire in overnight as apparently it knackers the flue liner. I have tried some smokeless on the fire and it burns well but I think it would burn better if I swapped out the grate for the proper multifuel one which has more air holes. If the smokeless fuel is cheaper than logs then that will be the way forward, my gas and electric will cost £170 more per month come October and I would imagine heating will account for at least half of that so technically could use £80 as a benchmark

Yes I remember those days too! Ice on the windows, getting dressed in front of the oven with the oven on and the door open as the only other heat in the house was the open fire. The front of my house is south facing so solar panels are on my radar too

I have cavity wall insulation and partial loft insulation. That’s the next job before winter, insulate the loft sides

I have switched mine off on a night now as I refuse to pay the huge increase. I am a Yorkshire woman and also remember when the only heating we had was a coal fire in one room. I put the heating on for one hour a day now and I’ve got the burner going more and leave the doors open for the heat to travel

But those prices for Gas are pre the rise in April and pre the next rise in October. My gas will be too expensive to use for heating. The current fuel cost, April not too cold outside, is nearly £8 a day and there will be a 50% rise on top of that in October to a min of £12 a day or £360 a month.