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Post by sunnydays on Nov 20, 2016 18:52:46 GMT
It has been one of those weeks, when not one but two things go to pot. First our sceptic tank pump gave up the ghost and OH was subjected to changing the old one for a new - not a nice job !
Then the first chilly morning we have and our central heating combi boiler won't kick in to heat the radiators. Will heat the hot water but goes into error alert for the heating. So we have been using the log burner in the middle room which is open to the stairs and other rooms. It has actually given off more heat and worked far better than the central heating. The rooms upstairs are pleasantly warm, and we don't feel bunged up in a morning !
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Post by jax on Nov 20, 2016 19:14:38 GMT
I'd love a log burner, we don't have anywhere suitable to install one unfortunately but have a gas coal effect fire in the lounge which gives a nice cosy atmosphere, but without the nice smell you get from wood.
We had a new boiler fitted 2 years ago which I'm hoping will be reliable - our old one was ok, but typically decided to break down one Christmas Eve, great timing!
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Post by Bellatrix on Nov 20, 2016 19:40:10 GMT
I heard on the radio recently that it is much healthier to live without central heating. You can't beat a real fire and am missing my old woodburner. We have fireplaces but both need renovating so can't use them yet. Suddenly feeling nostalgic about my old cottage:( At least you have hot water SD and your fire sounds like it's doing a good job:)
. That's typical isn't it Jax that it goes wrong on Christmas eve!
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Post by vwcamperfan on Nov 22, 2016 14:12:28 GMT
This house we are in has central heating and we have just put in a new boiler. Old house had storage heaters. Those weren't brill as you had to plan in advance for the cold, but I must say central heating is making me soft. I have got into the habit of turning it on without thinking do I really need it? So have turned it right down again on the thermostat and put a jumper on in evenings. They are not healthy as the air feels too dry and my skin has gone awful. In work we supplement the radiators with fan heaters which don't help either. I was brought up in a house with just one coal fire, and it didn't do us any harm. Ice on the inside of the windows in winter lol
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Post by sunnydays on Nov 22, 2016 20:40:37 GMT
I remember those days VWC  when your head would touch your pillow and nearly stick as it was so cold in the bedrooms. I have to say we are still without central heating and absolutely not missing it for a moment. Yes but you might not get a wood smell Jax but nor do you have gusts of smoke puffing out if someone forgets to open the vent before opening the log burner doors ! Or the terrible amount of dust produced by fires which causes extra work. I have learnt to live with the dust
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Post by 6herry on Nov 22, 2016 22:57:39 GMT
I remember those lovely fern shapes that ice made inside your bedroom window. But you didn't want to get out of bed did you? Single glazing, that rattled when the wind was in the wrong direction, one coal fire for the whole house, fetching coal through the snow from the outside coal bunker, watching the curtains move when it was windy outside, ice on the inside windows, sticking wooden outside main doors that were guaranteed to draught, walking through snow to the bus stops....... We are such a bunch of wusses these days. edit: and no-one is worse than me. The so calls me the princess with the pea. 
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Post by Bellatrix on Nov 23, 2016 11:34:43 GMT
This post is lovely, taking me back to my childhood. We lived in a Victorian house in the 70's and I remember being little and puffing white "steam" out of my mouth in the bedroom in the morning. I also remember sometimes when it was really bitter my mum putting one of those Aladdin paraffin heaters in the bedroom which stunk of fumes... surprised I'm still alive
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Post by 6herry on Nov 23, 2016 18:28:38 GMT
We had one of those paraffin heaters in the main hallway. I never thought about it before, but I do find paraffin has a 'homely' smell. 
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Post by Bellatrix on Nov 23, 2016 19:20:22 GMT
That is a very ornate one 6herry, very pretty:) Ours was more modern like this one, I remember how pretty the flame was... almost pink:) 
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Post by 6herry on Nov 23, 2016 21:47:36 GMT
It is quite lovely. I had completely forgotten that until I found that picture. 
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Post by linda on Nov 24, 2016 6:13:06 GMT
We have a log burner, don't bother with the central heating. OH made the log burner, he is a qualified Blacksmith. It heats the whole house.
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Post by Bellatrix on Nov 24, 2016 8:27:40 GMT
What a wonderful trade Linda, I do appreciate these timeless skills:)
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Post by magggzzz on Nov 24, 2016 9:24:10 GMT
I love that idea. Our house often gets overheated as some parts get hotter than others. Hopefully we'll get to go to our van soon and there's no central heating there. In fact the van has so little insulation that it doesn't retain any heat. I find the worst thing is the freezing cold toilet seat
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Post by vwcamperfan on Nov 24, 2016 10:07:05 GMT
We have a log burner, don't bother with the central heating. OH made the log burner, he is a qualified Blacksmith. It heats the whole house. What a fantastic trade to have - we went over to the Oswestry Ironwork Centre on Sunday again for a mooch and love watching craftsmen at work
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Post by Beckyboo on Nov 24, 2016 18:17:03 GMT
I wish our home was suitable for a log burner - we have heating but now the hot water has gone (get a 30 sec shower before it goes cold) we have to call in an engineer but they are all very busy this time of year. Why don't these things happen in the summer???
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