Thriftarainism

RE: Thriftarainism

Clive Ansell — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:12:39 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30459/thriftarainism/239652#239652"]Only have electric storage heaters so quite complimentary.[/quote]

My mother had these, but they used a lot of energy. We replaced them last year with more modern radiators that have better technology, and are remotely controlable. She is in her 80's and lives on her own in a remote rural location, so we can check on and alter the heating if she ever is unable too. They saved her a fair amount of money.

She has a multi fuel burner too, and the electric rads are for back up in the background if it gets cold or she doesn't light the burner.

Energy Efficient Electric Heating Systems | Rointe UK

RE: Thriftarainism

Michael Woodhouse — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 23:35:51 GMT

I have a multi fuel burner. Much more efficient than the open fire. Fitted it myself. Only have electric storage heaters so quite complimentary.

RE: Thriftarainism

Neil Wheadon — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 20:13:24 GMT

[quote userid="8663" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30459/thriftarainism/239636#239636"]Ido t recommend burning car tyres either[/quote]

OK, laughed out loud to this

Neil

RE: Thriftarainism

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 19:01:17 GMT

Ido t recommend burning car tyres either

RE: Thriftarainism

Neil Wheadon — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:47:57 GMT

[quote userid="8663" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30459/thriftarainism/239592#239592"]For log burners everywhere[/quote]

How about car tyres?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/03/car-tyres-produce-more-particle-pollution-than-exhausts-tests-show

and yes we have a log burner, already in the house and I scavenge wood as in deepest darkest Somerset

Neil

RE: Thriftarainism

cairncross — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:12:31 GMT

we are rural so have grown up with this heating lots of ash dieback here too so supply of wood not a problem , we do also have ofch on a timer unlike my youth, so no ice on the inside of bedroom windows but i have been getting up 20 min earlier this month to light the stove to cut down on oil costs as i am scrooge. One kid, the youngest has also developed skills with bow saw and splitting axe as well as a bit of a work ethic {he sees and feels the the achievement} which i see as another genuine advantage . my other two will only notice if Mr Putin switches off the xbox.

RE: Thriftarainism

Bob Russell — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 10:58:22 GMT

We grow our wood, fell it and burn it. I cannot see a more efficient way of heating than that. Pretty carbon neutral.

The sun provides the energy, trees store it and we burn it to keep warm. There is some smoke but that goes up the chimney. Not really anybody to inhale it!

RE: Thriftarainism

Clive Ansell — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 20:04:04 GMT

My mother was telling me earlier that many elderly people she knows are going back to using open fires for heating. most of them used open fires for years, then in their old age had either tanked gas, oil or electic heating installed to make their lives easier, but they can no longer afford it, and in many cases wood is available locally either free of very cheap. Some of them have to exist on a state pension only.

[quote userid="8663" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30459/thriftarainism/239592#239592"]

For log burners everywhere

https://woodsmokepollution.org/phone/wood-stoves.html

[/quote]

I would reconsider installing a woodburner if I could see something being done to reduce energy costs and stability.

Also, don't forget gas, oil and electicity use produce emissions too.

RE: Thriftarainism

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 17:33:41 GMT

For log burners everywhere

https://woodsmokepollution.org/phone/wood-stoves.html

RE: Thriftarainism

Clive Ansell — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 16:50:36 GMT

[quote userid="8663" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30459/thriftarainism/239577#239577"]I hope you buy one with low particulate emissions.[/quote]

Yes, will certainly look at that, although I feel the quality and dryness of the wood being burnt is the biggest factor.

[quote userid="8663" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30459/thriftarainism/239577#239577"]Your mother’s probably isn’t and it’s quite alarming[/quote]

Although it is old, she only burns old, dry and well seasoned wood. it is very efficient and produces almost no visible smoke or soot. The flue is cleaned annually and there is almost nothing in it.

[quote userid="8663" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30459/thriftarainism/239577#239577"]It feels like a lifestyle choice[/quote]

Not really in my case. Energy in the form of electricity or gas is becoming stupidly expensive, and we have a large pile of wood and numerous trees to fell, so a no brainer really.

RE: Thriftarainism

bob lehner — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 09:47:18 GMT

Wouldn't be without a log burner. Unfortunately there is loads of ash die-back round here, so a plentiful supply of good burning wood. Main thing is to make sure the wood is dry - ash you can burn straight away - other types need long-term seasoning to dry out.

Interesting point in that article about people continuing to eat out. I travel a lot for my work - visiting different areas. I'm generally amazed at how many pubs/cafes/restaurants are to be found in most towns - and how busy they all are even in these hard times - and even mid-week.

The cost of eating out is crazy, compared to eating at home. Mind you - apart from necessity, when I'm working away from home - I haven't visited a pub or restaurant for a good 20 years.

RE: Thriftarainism

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:42:22 GMT

[quote userid="8663" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30459/thriftarainism"]This is interesting https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/17/prices-cost-of-living-crisis-unequal-british-society?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
champagne socialists concerned about the cost of energy and buying new log burners Anyone here willing to put their hand up PS I don’t have a log burner myself[/quote]

Bit confused as that article didn't mention wood burners. But since you mention it, we have two! I bought them thinking they are more efficient (and therefore less polluting, though that wasn't my reason) than an open log fire.

I thought like Bob - only an issue in built up areas.

Am I wrong??! Will have to go and google.

As to the rest of the article, I can't really relate to it. I'm really struggling to think of anyone I know that one would call a thriftarian! I think people are either feeling the pinch, and spending less, or they are not (yet).

RE: Thriftarainism

Bob Russell — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:03:52 GMT

Not a lifestyle choice for many. A good, practical way to heat.

We burn our own wood. Very efficient.

Particulates are important in built up area but not so much generally. Burning dry wood is pretty clean. A moisture meter is cheap to buy.

RE: Thriftarainism

Alasdair Hotston Moore — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 06:25:02 GMT

I hope you buy one with low particulate emissions. Your mother’s probably isn’t and it’s quite alarming That’s why I feel that those that can afford other heating should avoid them. It feels like a lifestyle choice

RE: Thriftarainism

Clive Ansell — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 06:17:28 GMT

We are looking at installing a wood burner, and are not champagne socialists.

Would make sense for us; we have a large supply of free wood, and 5 or 6 large ash trees that have ash dieback disease that will need felling in the next 3 or 4 years. And, with the cost of energy rising exponentially and concerns over the continuity of supply it is really a no brainer.

My mother has had a multi fuel burner for decades, it is incredibly efficient and powers 6 radiators and heats all of her hot water. No mains gas where she lives, and an almost endless supply of free wood.

Also, if/when Putin turns the gas off I will be sitting in front of a big log fire with a glass of my favourite single malt :-)