Advice needed on keeping nightmare flat warm this winter!

[infinitysymbol]

Hi, I'd really appreciate some advice. I live in a rented flat in an art deco/1930s era block of flats. The windows are very old with metal frames. The only heating system in the flats is a hot water pipe that runs through all the flats and heats only the hallway in our flat (we also have an old 80s installed gas heater in the sitting room). The other rooms - bedroom, studio and sitting room have either electric convector fires or the aforementioned gas heater. We are absolutely dreading the forthcoming winter of doom (as reported by all the news channels) and I just wondered if anyone can recommend a way of insulating some of the rooms that doesn't involve any building (we rent so cannot do anything major) and we cannot afford much. Any tricks featuring bubblewrap and tape on the windows much appreciated . We obviously have thick curtains to try and contain any heat that is produced but in the big (bed)room the heat just seems to disappear (this room has only one outside wall). Once again, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

 

[JohnD]

I hope you don't live on the top floor?

Your landlord should (is required to) have had your gas fires tested and certificated, you might like to see the certificates to verify they are up to date and appear to have been done by someone reputable. This is relevant so you don't wake up dead one morning with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Try to work out what rate you are being charged for gas and electricity if you don't pay the supply companies directly - some landlords like to chanrge tenants a higher rate.

This is relevant because gas is usually cheaper to run than electricity, subject to the price you pay being normal.

The cheapest and easiest thing you can do is draughtproofing. You can get various strips from your local DIY store. If you are buying a lot it is cheaper from Screwfix dot co dot uk, but bear in mind the postage cost.

These strips will not stick to dirt so clean the paintwork of the window and door frames before applying it.

Bubble wrap is rather unsightly on windows, you can buy clear plastic sheet that looks much better, and is invisible if you have net curtains. It is attached with double-sided tape and you will do a better job with 2 people hanging it, as if it's wrinkles or uneven it is difficult to peel off.

Also - do your best to keep the flat dry. No wet washing in the rooms, use an extractor fan (if you've got one) in bathroom and kitchen. It makes a big difference.

Unless you've got a bad chest, you won't need heating all night in the bedroom - buy a couple of electric plug-in timers and non-fan elctric heaters, and set them to come on before going to bed/getting up and to be off while you're out. Put them well clear of furniture, curtains, clothes etc. You can take them with you when you move. Don't use plug-in adaptors in clusters on the sockets, use a 4-way adaptor with a fused plug and a short lead. very cheap in Tesco, like the timers. If the bedroom's cold, think about an electric blanket - not very cheap to buy, but economical to run, and again, not a fixture, and it will keep the bed warm and dry even if the flat isn't. Avoid buying second-hand or market stall electrical goods.


(edited to remove rude comments about your home - sorry)

 

[scatmanjohn]

Try diy secondary glazing. Its like shrink wrap for your windows.
You put up a plastic sheet and attack it with a hair drier and it shrinks to size. When spring arrives you just pull it off. Try your local diy emporium most sell it.
Or even better tell the landlord to get his hand in is pocket or you will claim squatters rights and stop paying the rent.

 

[chrishutt]

bubble wrap and tape on the windows

Sounds like a good idea.

Also suggest thermal underwear, lots of layers, hats, gloves, thick socks, 1 tog duvets, etc.


But seriously, can't you fit a large sheet of aluminium to the hot water pipe? If clamped tightly to the pipe it will pick up heat by conduction and then radiate and convect this out to the room. I'm sure you could at least double heat output from the pipe in this way.

Otherwise, might be worth looking at economy 7 or similar used with storage heaters. At least you can take them with you when you leave.

 

[JohnD]

in the big (bed)room the heat just seems to disappear

A fat girl can be very helpful.

 

[infinitysymbol]

Thanks for the replies! We have one floor of four flats above us. We pay the utilities bills directly to the electricity/gas companies of our choice and I have tried to find a good deal. We have no contact with our landlord who (I believe) lives abroad and report any problems to the letting agents who manage our flat (and I believe the block as a whole). Our flat is beautiful and bright in the summer and during the day and apart from the rickety old windows, it is a lovely old flat with lots of old art deco character (although I would make quite a few changes if it was my own). The sheeting on the windows sounds interesting and I will pursue it. Last night it was so cold in the bedroom (after having the convector heater on for an hour!) that I put bubblewrap over the gaps in the window closings to see if it would contain any of the heat - it just seems to seap out through the walls!? Anyway, thank you all for your advice, much appreciated!

 

[Return to the Shed]

there are a lot of little bits and pieces you could do.

1. use thicker curtains, and net curtains underneath. keep them short enough to avoid any radiators underneath the sills. if you don't have any rads in the way. try full length very thick curtains.

2. use hot water bottles, only the cost of the kettle!

3. you could try tube heaters, these are around 120watts so not much more than a bulb to run. they take the edge off smaller rooms.

4. check for cracks/draughts around the walls. are you top floor? is there a loft, is it insulated? can you do more to help insulate it?

5. use cushions like thick sausages behind the doors... draught excluding. use the brush draught excluders under every external and internal door.

6. use the draught excluding rubber foam sticky stuff round every window and door frame.

7. use as many blankets and fleece jackets etc as you can, try charity shops for blankets, i purchased a huge white one for 30p it's big enough to cover a double bed.

8. use your bodies. bit of exercise around the place.. especially in the bedroom will have it steaming up in no time !!. wink wink,