washing machines, open fires and living cheaply!!!

[Mrs H]

Hi guys, advice needed as always!! We are moving house, 10 mins away from were we currently live but hopefully a good move! Currently we live in a 3 bed modern bungalow, we struggle to heat it and it costs us a lot of money. Our animals r running amock here wirth chickens dogs and cats everywere!!
We r moving to an old irish cottage, originally it was a 2 bed with 2 living rooms but we r turning one of the living rooms into a bedroom. It has low ceilings, ofch and the fire in the main living room has a back burner. It only has single pane sash windows but I don't think r double glazing currently is that great anyway so nothing some linings won't sort!!
It sits on 80acres of land which the landlord uses for grazing but we have about an acre and a half to play with for starters. The dogs have there own pen, we have about quarter of an acre set aside for veg and as the garden is fenced at the front of the cottage, the poultry can wander round the yard area.
I believe this will be a very positive move for us.
We need advice though because we have to get a washing machine for it and there is only a cold feed attachment for one. What does this mean? I thought washers were like an electric shower and heated the water as they needed it? Also the open fire, how do we make the back boiler really work for us? We have never had one before.
Any other ideas on how we can live there cheaply? I am determined that this will be the making of us and we will get rselves financially secure by living on nothing and closer as a family unit. The kids love it and I feel like with all the stresses of the past year we have just muddled threw. As always any advice greatfully received. Love n hugs to u all. Xxx

[MKG]

Most (if not all) modern washing machines have only a cold feed and heat the water to the necessary temperature themselves. Basically, as cooler washes became practicable, the domestic hot water supply was often too hot.

Mike

[niknik]

Here in Spain, washing machiunes only come with cold feed. Ours came from Uk with us, so just adapted the fed pipe, so both hot and cold take from cold... too difficult to run Hot pipe to it, and I believe a wst of money ( for us anyway) as a lot of heat would be lost in the length of the run needed.

It does mean that it takes a bit longer than the stated time on the display, but a 30º wash is fine for most things, so doesnt really need much heating anyway.

No suggestions re the back boiler Im afrraid!

invest in energy saving light bulbs, and for Dark rooms, lots of mirrors, then need less lighting.

Sounds fab anyway, especially all the land! am really envious!

[greenorelse]

Mrs H

Double-glazing existing sash windows can be done reasonably cheaply - ring around and get some quotes. They rout out the existing putty, slot in a double-glazed pane and nail a slip back in to hold them in place. All you do is paint the new wood.

We found re-glazing the existing frames by far cheaper than any replacements, including the hideous dreaded white plastic.

There are other ways of double-glazing on the very cheap, such as cling film!

Also, get some cheap mirrors and screw them to the left and right sides of the windows inside - you get masses more light in during the day.

As for washing machines, you could try FreeCycle (or whatever it's called in NI).

How is the cottage orientated? Has it a long side facing roughly south? See if you can get a cheap greenhouse or polytunnel and put it right up against that side - even against the exit door! It will capture any solar heat there is and you can channel it into the house.

I have seen polytunnels actually attached to the house and I think it's a brilliant idea, though it could cut down on light coming into the house.

Back boilers in open fires are ok but a lot of the heat goes straight out of the house. There are lots of fairly cheap stoves now with back boilers - a much better idea as they can stand proud of the fireplace, releasing heat into the room, while the gases go up the flue.

You'll have to describe what you have a little more (infrastructure, appliances, requirements) before you can get specific 'living cheaply' ideas.

Good luck.

[darkbrowneggs]

For double glazing I use sheets of perspex cut to size by the supplier and attached with double sided magnet tape, so you can take them out and store them in the summer. I expected the look of the window would be changed, but to be honest you can barely see they are there. I think its is cutting down the draughts that makes the most difference but well worth doing

As said by another poster all the washing machines seem to be cold water only now, and I would also agree with getting a freestanding stove with a back boiler

Anyway it all sound great, and I am sure you will have a wonderful life there. Well done, and enjoy

All the best
Sue

[fumanchu]

We live in a very cold place, and have single glazing and coal fired heating from a big stove. The secret with a stove is never let it go out ! Keep it on 24/7 set very low, and that heats the stone walls. Letting it go out then lighting it again uses more coal, we have tested this. (Although this is a stove, not an open fire). Single glazing is ok as you can get blinds and thick curtains for night time. With single glazing and a coal fire, you shouldn't get damp or condensation. If you get a lot of powercuts like we do here, then go for a calor gas LPG cooker, they're awesome.

[fumanchu]

Sorry meant to add you get cling film-type stuff to heat seal to windows if they're really draughty. And with the fire on constantly you have constant lovely hot water. You need an electric blanket on the bed though, thats an essential!

[Thomzo]

I certainly agree with the thick curtains. They make a huge difference on draughty windows. Make a pelmet for the top that comes a long way down the sides and put the curtains close to the wall so that there are no gaps down the sides to let the cold air in. In the depth of winter, keep the curtains closed during the day in any rooms you aren't actually using. Only open the south-facing curtains if you can. Keeps the heat in (but the light out so it's a balancing act).

A thick carpet on the floor and some nice tapestries or patchworks on the walls will help to insulate as well and, of course, lots of loft insulation.

Lots of best wishes for your new home. I hope you enjoy it.

Zoe

[MuddyWitch]

Mrs H, are you near the Boarder? If so try http://www.jumbletown.ie/forums/index.php for a washer or just about anything, including advice on old Irish cottages.

Also http://cottageology.com/

& GOOD LUCK

MW

[mrsflibble]

in case you'r eworried about freecycle style gubbins, our dryer came from freecycle 3 years ago. cost us £17 for extra bits at first, then another £20 for spare parts a few months ago and it is still going strong.

[Green Aura]

Can't think of any advice to add, Mrs H. Just wanted to wish you well on your house move - sounds lovely