Infrared heaters, if they haven't been mentioned already, are apparently more economical than radiators, they heat up objects rather than air. I'm considering getting a free standing one, so I can move it between the bedroom and the living room.
A tiny tip - it was on Christmas Eve that I thought maybe it was time to admit that the tomato plants were finished for this year. The final crop weren't the best quality for eating raw so I made chutney.
Boiling for an hour sounded like a lot of gas, so I used a combination of a thermal (insulated pot) cooker, and then cooked it in a tray in the oven, which I had on for something else.
How have you all been getting on with the Winter fuel issues?Â
We have worked out that we’ve used much less gas than for the same quarter last year (Dec-Feb) with our regime of heating less rooms and for less time. I think we’ve got used to wearing extra layers, better planning oven use and avoiding the cold downstairs loo, but I really can’t wait for warmer weather.Â
Another government handout arrived in the  bank account,  £200.00,  already getting £67 per month. We’ve had more than it will cost us for the winter bills. Wish they could means test all this,  give it to the people that need it. Should this be on curmudgeonly thread.Â
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.Â
I've just done the same @AuntyRach. Our readings get sent in on the 25th of the month and the DD comes out on 5th of the next one. I did it from October until now, and we used 50% more gas in that period last autumn/winter [a very mild one] and 25% more leccy. We'll still be paying far more than last year by the look of things. The whole thing's a disgrace. If they made the companies who extract the fuel pass that saving on to the suppliers, instead of lining their pockets with their billions in profits, people wouldn't be having to choose between heating and eating, and it isn't just the poorest people who are in that situation either. I should be on that thread too @Lyn. It makes me furious that people can't charge wheelchairs and cook a normal meal etc. It would cost more to means test than it does to hand it out to everyone. It's the same with many things -the winter fuel payments for example. Govt depts simply aren't fit for purpose.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I think we’ve got used to wearing extra layers, better planning oven use and avoiding the cold downstairs loo, but I really can’t wait for warmer weather.Â
We’ve had more than it will cost us for the winter bills. Wish they could means test all this,  give it to the people that need it.Â
Should this be on curmudgeonly thread.Â
The whole thing's a disgrace. If they made the companies who extract the fuel pass that saving on to the suppliers, instead of lining their pockets with their billions in profits, people wouldn't be having to choose between heating and eating, and it isn't just the poorest people who are in that situation either.Â
I should be on that thread too @Lyn. It makes me furious that people can't charge wheelchairs and cook a normal meal etc. It would cost more to means test than it does to hand it out to everyone. It's the same with many things -the winter fuel payments for example. Govt depts simply aren't fit for purpose.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...