millieforbes said:
have you approached the Vincent de Paul for support?
I just can't imagine it but I appreciate the idea. Things came crashing down so fast from two incomes to none but psychologically I suppose I'm not ready to go to Vincent de Paul. Of course during the summer I was focussing on more immediate needs i.e. food, petrol etc. and trying not to think about the heating but now that winter's coming reality is dawning. I really really want to believe that is is going to get better.
asdfg said:
if any of you have breathing problems calor gas heating is not a good idea.
Thanks, I didn't know that. The children have occasional seasonal asthma so that is something I need to keep in mind.
asdfg said:
I dont mean to be smart, and i i have sympathy with your situation,but i dont understand why you have to heat the bedrooms and kitchen.
I suppose because that's what we did with the gas heating - had the rads on in the bedrooms and kitchen - not all day obviously - but for some time each day. So while I can't use the central heating now, I want to make the place as warm as possible. I know the boys' room will be absolutely icy cold without heating if we get a winter like last year and there is an asthma issue there so we cannot let the room become damp. But any heater would definitely be for an hour or two at most each day - more to keep it damp-free than constantly warm if that makes sense!
Romulan said:
I'm a fan of a warm bed and cold room myself but the most effective local heaters are the electric/oil filled radiators.
Thanks. That's great to know. I definitely don't mind a cool (or even freezing cold!) room myself but I think if we went months without any heating in the kids' bedrooms the rooms would be damp and unbearably cold.
Marietta said:
I would second the idea of approaching svdp. It is awful they cut you off even though you were doing your best to pay the bill off, it is very unfair, I do feel very sorry for you especially as you have children. Why not approach mabs they may be able to help on your behalf.
Thanks Marietta. I talked to MABS last year shortly after we both lost our jobs but I was told there were plenty people worse off than me, in court getting judgements against them, getting their homes re-possessed etc. I actually wanted their advice to help me use the little money we had in the most efficient way before things spiralled out of control which they now have. They help you make lists of incomings/outgoings etc. But overall I find they prioritise those who have already had legal action against them etc. But I do appreciate the suggestion.
DazzaMazza said:
The one thing I would say to you is that the plan of using electric heaters instead of gas will work out far more expensive. Usually the oil filled heaters run at between 1.5 and 3kw. Using just a few of these in the house is the same as leaving the electric shower on constantly. Gas is more effective for central heating. Our central heating went due to a fault last year and we used 4 oild filled heaters in the house. The heat they give off is poor and the electric bill in January was horrendous.
I am dreading that and I know it's gonna be very dear. I don't see us being able to get the gas put back on anytime soon though so I think the electric heaters are the only short-term solution - financially mad in the long run I know.
DazzaMazza said:
Another thing I would recommend is having a look around the house to see if there are items you no longer need. Its surprising what old items you no longer use or need can do to raise funds. I'm not suggesting selling the contents of your home to pay the bills but check the attic for items that might be worth shifting. Sites like adverts.ie might help you raise some funds.
Thank you. It's a good idea. I'll have a look.
woodbine said:
We have floor length heavy curtains on both front and back doors of the house.It helps with any draughts that might come in...........
Any rooms that you have curtains in, once it starts to get dark, keep them closed for the same reasons.the heavier the curtain the better..............
Keep doors closed in the rooms that have radiators (or heaters) on. ............
I read a tip in a magazine about the kitchen. When you're making dinner and have finished using the oven don't close the door. Leave it open to allow the excess heaat out into the room. makes ense really!.........
Plenty of warm bedding.. i bought a mattress protector for our bed that has a tog rating (not sure what the rating is) but it makes the bed really cosy..........
Buy some big heavy throws/blankets that go right down over the sides and end of the bed.Put them over the duvet. I find that duvets sometimes don't cover the bed properly.
hot water bottles: still use them, they're great..............
This seems obvious but make sure everyone is wearing thermals and not going around in t-shirts in the house when it's cold. (you'd be surprised!!)
They're fantastic ideas - thanks so much. I honestly never thought of a lot of them. The tog-rating on the mattress protectors sounds like a great idea! On very cold nights (even before heating was an issue) I often tell my boys to get in their sleeping bags as it's by far the best way to keep warm. You can still put other blankets on top.
DGOBS said:
You know, reading a post like this really makes you want to pack your bags and leave this rock!
Believe me, after watching 'Freefall' on RTE earlier about the banking crisis, I'm very determined to leave this country once and for all. I've worked so so hard for the last 22 years and I feel cheated by the way our country is run. I know we'll get back on our feet and when we do, we'll be out of here very fast. Born and reared here and raised our children so far here but we've both had enough! I've paid so much tax for the last 22 years and when I (soon hopefully) am earning again I don't want to pay a huge chunk of my earnings to the bailout of Sean Fitzpatrick and his cronies. Can you tell I'm angry? lol!
DGOBS said:
I cannot offer alot of advice, but if you get your heating back up and running and are anywhere near my area, give me a shout, will service your system, try show you how to use it most effectively to heat your home etc. and how to monitor your gas usage, free of charge.
Thank you so much - that means a great deal to me. I'm nowhere near you (lol!!) but I can't tell you how much the offer means to me.
Thanks everyone. While the heating is gone, we've managed to stay on top of back-to-school expenses, we've kept the children fed and clothed and have electricity still on etc. The children are happy and don't realise the full extent of our money issues (nobody does) so are happy. They don't ask for expensive things (that's cause they have their priorities right and nothing to do with our current woes!). We actually had a really good summer despite the lack of money - weather was good, lots of walks and hikes etc. The winter will be cold but it could be worse.