Recent reverses in government policy on energy bills and tax cuts have brought back deepest anxieties about the Cost of Living Crisis (COLC) and the coming winter.
We're going to have to try to stay calm and learn to be resilient in the face of whatever is coming at us.
67goingon50 is a strong believer in the old adage, 'Prepare for the worst; hope for the best'. And don't Panic..it gets you nowhere.
While no one wants to be apocalyptic, the increasing probability of power cuts this winter across the entire UK, not just in the north, needs to be kept in mind.
This post is divided into tips for keeping warm, keeping fed and keeping sane PLUS a section on preparing for Blackouts. (Some material has already been published in the post How to Beat Freezing Weather Frugally).
They include:
Keeping warm: layering up, dressing for outdoors, bedding, heating
Keeping fed: cutting food costs while cooking, stocking cupboards/emergency stores, don't turn off the freezer
Preparing for Blackouts:
background
what to expect if a blackout occurs
how to cope with a blackout incl:
(a) what to buy/look in cupboards for
(b) getting ready, incl tech tips
(c) freezers/fridges
(d) eating in Blackouts
KEEPING WARM
It's usually the way that whenever there's a fuel crisis, we get an unusually cold winter, often with snow in areas well south of the Scottish border. Let's hope that's not so this year but just in case...
LEARN TO DRESS IN LAYERS
Layering - not turning up the central heating - is the key to keeping warm and comfy; think in terms of background heating and putting on another layer! Here's a rough guide.
Thermal socks or two pairs of socks, 1 thick, 1 thin
Tops (as needed):
Dig out summer vests and use as a first layer, then..
A close-fitting thermal polo/turtle neck then...
Shirt or blouse, then...
Jumper, wool, if poss, then...
Shawl/Wrap/Blanket
Note: The retired, worried about heating bills, might want to spend the entire day dressed like this
Venturing Out:
Head: hats prevent heat loss (somehow baclavas are coming back in style!)
Neck: Long scarves wrapped twice around the neck and chin make the cold more bearable
Coats: ideally should offer plenty of room for layers of warm clothing without constricting movement (or be made with Heattech, see below), have a hood and a collar that fastens up to the chin, protecting sides as well as back of the neck. Windproofing and some level of waterproofing is helpful; sleeves should cover wrists generously or be elasticated or adjustable to prevent the intrusion of cold air. Pockets should be big enough to hold gloves.
Feet. Thermal socks can be found at reasonable prices on special offers (eg £12 for 3 pairs) at outdoor shops like Mountain Warehouse. Also Uniqlo.
Snow Boots: Mountain Warehouse (& occasionally Blacks) stock wallet-friendly wellies & similar thrifty options. Jogging shoes with a deep ridged rubber sole may be sufficient if the snow is not too deep. Catering shoes designed to prevent slipping have a deep ridged rubber sole and sturdy uppers. (£25 upwards at Denny's Hospitality, Berman Street, Fitzrovia - between Oxford Circus & Tottenham Court Road, London - also phone orders 01372 377904).
STOCKISTS:
67goingon50 recommends Uniqlo's Heattech for coats, turtle necks, sweatshirts; its special technology traps warm air inside thin layers which keeps heat in without bulk.
Thermal polo necks & Jumpers (turtle neck & other designs), leggings/long johns, gloves, hats & scarves in pretty colours/designs and in various weights: Uniqlo £6 upwards.
Thermal underwear at M&S and John Lewis are also good; they also sell thermal gloves & socks at £15-ish upwards
Serviceable budget-friendly outer winter woolies including thermal gloves, thermal socks, scarves, hats & thick jogging trousers are found atMountain Warehouse (& occasionally Blacks), £7-8 upwards depending on item but certain styles are often on sale. Kids' snow boots, too. Join Mountain Warehouse's app for special offers.
Supermarkets sometimes sell really cute kids' mittens and gloves.
Draft-blocking High-pile Ultra Warm Hooded Dressing Gowns: most department stores £40'ish. Or try the super enveloping over-sized ponchos, hooded or not, online.
FASHIONABLE reasonably priced full-length and short Thermal coats: Uniqlo; also try H&M and Revolut. For the up-market, John Lewis has a good selection of must-have brands including Barbour (which have been on sale over the summer). M&S's 2021quilted coat - if you can could get hold of one - was a fashion winner last year and they've produced something similar this year
BEDS:
Prevent hypothermia: if spare blankets/duvets/sleeping bags are already in use, a winter coat spread on top of covers will add another layer of warmth
Though 67 has not tested Emergency Foil Blankets (EFBs) - the kind given out during Marathons and in driving/hiking/mountainside emergencies - they are said to be excellent at retaining heat when placed on top of bedcovers or on windows. EFB's are £2 for 2 and can be used more than once. Sold folded in tidy packets, they take up very little space.
If you can afford it, brushed cotton bedding (the modern equivalent of flannel sheets) is a joy to slide into at bedtime and adds extra warmth. Prices at John Lewis have gone up some, as expected. A double duvet cover is £55 this year but pillowcases continue to start at £5 each.
Presuming you have power, electric blankets/underblankets can be helpful to some but dangerous to others, even with an automatic cut-off switch.
Hot water bottles can be lovely if there's no danger of spillage while filling the bottle or warming the bed
The classic solution still applies: share the body heat of a loved one! Have young children share a bed; they'll love it.
HEATING
Reduce Heating Costs by using background heating only...
to have or not have heating on overnight? Decision time. If the background heating's been on all day, overnight heating may be a luxury. But be careful, in cold damp conditions, ear and throat infections can develop
see ideal home temperatures, including WHO recommendations, for well dressed people, including for sleeping. (Produced by British Gas)
1s it worth investing/creating makeshift 4 poster beds from which curtains can be hung to enclose heat and keep out draughts?
the kitchen is often the warmest place in the house; find a space on the floor for toddler playtime and/or use the kitchen table for homework (unless it's exam time; in which case, solitary work in the bedroom may be more suitable; add a small heater)
watch telly huddled under a shared duvet (or emergency Foil Blanket??)
if you have a fireplace and the cold spell is extreme, move in beds/mattresses, sleeping bags -- but not long-term due to possible air pollution
warm the kids' clothes on radiators for half an hour to make getting dressed more comfortable
an elderly retired but eccentric friend recommended staying in bed all day, wearing a hat, to keep heating to a minimum
STORAGE HEATERS :
If you live in a block of pre-21st century flats with storage heating, consider investing in (a) heater/s that provide background heating only. Many storage heaters belt out so much heat in the morning, windows have to be opened, but little heat is available as it gets dark. It's a shocking waste, especially since rooms warm up at mid-morning as outdoor temperatures rise.
Consider investing in a tube heater similar to those heating greenhouses. A friend bought a model which didn't have a thermostat and turns on only when needed. It has an easy-to-use programmable timer that turns heat on and off at times of your choice. The model heated up quickly and provided a gentle, cosy heat. (Note: new models with thermostat are on sale but may need more development; read customer comments closely) The tubes are wall mounted or protected with an optional heater guard.
All went well. The heater was turned on at 5 am for a minimum hour, turned off as the room warmed up with outside temperatures, and then turned on again as temperatures dropped in the evening for a couple of hours. Lap blankets or duvets made work or telly more comfy.
A storage heater or a supplementary heater was used only 3-4 times in a London studio flat in the winter during extremely cold weather (which in London usually lasts only a week or two).
The friend's annual heating bill for autumn-winter 2021/2 showed the amount of energy expended was 500 (whatever-units-are-used) less than the previous year.
Stockist: Mylek: tube heaters, various lengths, heat guards, approx £70 for both
CUTTING FUEL COSTS WHEN COOKING
whatever cooking equipment you have, investing in a cheap and reliable microwave might be an idea; they cook fastest and use up less electricity
slow cookers use less energy than stovetop or oven AND provide background heat; double up -- in the last hour of cooking place baking potatoes wrapped in greaseproof paper on the surface of the foods in the slow cooker; when done, remove flesh & serve as mash
reports say some brands of air fryers reduce cooking time much more than expected
never use the oven for just one thing; plan ahead - make granola or bake potatoes while making a cake or cooking a roast
STOCKING UP THE CUPBOARD
As a general rule, 67goingon50 likes to have at least a week's worth of food in the kitchen, whether in the cupboards or freezer
This year, mindful of the possibilityof electricity blackouts, 67 currentlyadds to the weekly shop one tinned item which does not require cooking (fish, chopped ham, stews, baked beans) or needs very little cooking (ie soup or quick cook pasta/rice)
Find a cupboard for emergency stores: store at least one extra container of ketchup, mayonnaise, hot sauce, peanut butter, jams, favourite condiments
Depending on the size of your household, keep at least a couple of loaves of sliced supermarket bread and a couple of blocks of standard/budget cheese hidden away in the back of the freezer for emergency sandwiches
FREEZER WARNING:
DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR FREEZER TO SAVE ELECTRICITY before using up the contents; badly defrosted food can cause food poisoning.
See BLACKOUTS, PREP below
67 recommends that, in every household, one person is appointed KEEPER OF EMERGENCY STORES responsible for deciding if, when and how much of the stores to break open
****
BLACKOUTS:prepare now for the worst; hope for the best...
17 October:
The National Grid has now explicitly warned households to prepare for blackouts between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays during January and February, especially if there is a period of really, really cold weather.
Mainland Europe, where energy shortages are likely to be more acute than in the UK, has been adopting a 'worse case scenario' since the summer:
Germany: parts of the country switches off lights at public monuments and turns off heating at city-run buildings like leisure centres.
France: outdoor cafe and bar terraces are not allowed to be heated; illuminated advertising between 1am and 6am is banned
Greece: office workers are urged to switch off their computers after work; the government renews cooling & window systems
Netherlands: companies are mandated to invest in energy saving measures if the cost can be recovered within five year
This post looks at:
the background to a possible UK blackout
what to expect if a blackout occurs
how to cope with a blackout incl:
(a) what to buy/look in cupboards for
(b) getting ready, incl tech tips
(c) freezers/fridges
(d) eating in Blackouts
BACKGROUND
In National Grid's recent scenarios for winter, the view was that - like previous winters - there will be enough energy. But now the warnings are explicit: expect blackouts from 4-7pm on weeknights in January & February if gas imports fall.
40% of Britain's electricity comes from gas-fired power stations and if gas supplies fall say, due to the war in Ukraine, electricity would also be affected. And that means electricity would be cut-off to homes and companies for short periods.
HOW WILL A BLACKOUT WORK?
The situation as 18 Oct but watch the news for developments:
Expect the country to be divided up into regions. Not all would be affected at the same time or on the same day.
The National Grid plans warnings at least a day ahead. (see below)
Blackouts are most likely at peak times - breakfast time or late afternoon.
In Jan & Feb, afternoon blackouts would start at 4pm and finish at 7pm.
You won't be able to watch telly or use your computer, charge your phone or pop the kettle on. The wi-fi would be down. (Bloggers'emphasis!).
You won't be able to do chores requiring electricity. And, unless you have a gas cooker or have prepped ahead (see below), dinner will be at room temperature.
NATIONAL GRID WARNINGS
As it stands (Oct 18)..
We'll be told, at least a day ahead, of coming blackouts
Households can also log on to powercut105.com and enter their postcode to check whether they will be affected.
There may bealerts, incl via text message, pandemic style. And maybe press conferences, Covid style.
WHO WILL BE PROTECTED?
Hospitals and major airports
Customers medically dependent on electricity. Many of this group have back-up power sources but should seek advice from their healthcare provider.
Businesses/services that have applied for and been grantedentry to the Protected Sites List. Warning: a place on the site is not automatically given.
IT'S NOT ALL DOOM & GLOOM (apparently!)
National Grid has contingency measures in place.
Coal-fired power stations are on standby.
National Grid is also launching a scheme offering money off bills for homes and businesses which cut electricity use at key times. The scheme, tested earlier this year, is now being scaled up.
COPING WITH A BLACKOUT
KEEPING YOUR COOL :
WHAT TO BUY (most are on the net)/ RUMMAGE IN THE CUPBOARDS FOR
Take care of your own household but remember older family members living independently. (If in the same blackout zone, could they persuaded to move in with you for the duration?)
EFB's:Emergency Foil Blankets - the kind given out during Marathons and in driving/hiking/mountainside emergencies; they're £2 for 2, folded in tidy packets (taking up little space) and can be used more than once
Cash
First Aid Kit
Torches with spare batteries; maybe a head torch?
Batteries of various sizes
Proper candles - not just tea-lights - in sturdy candle holders which are not easily knocked over PLUS generous box Matches
Thermoses: fill with boiling water, not coffee or tea, for a hot cuppa of choice; they come in individual or family sizes, priced accordingly. A separate thermos for hot chocolate with or without marshmallows would probably make everyone ecstatic.
Food jars: double insulated, they keep food warm 12-36 hours, depending on size and brand; great not just for soups, also for a layer of rice with vegetables or stew; perfect for elderly relatives
Cool box
Power Bank - for phones & iPads but not laptops; reasonably priced but must be charged ahead of time unless battery operated. (If you're flush; a portable power station will set you back over £1,000)
Battery operated clip-on lamp for book lovers ?
Night lights for finding your way around ?
Battery-operated radio?
GETTING READY:
fill up car with petrol
write down important phone numbers and passwords
just before blackout starts, turn off all electric appliances, especially computers which can be damaged by power surges. Leave one light on so you'll know when it's all over
TECH TIPS:
Close down unnecessary programs & apps which drain batteries
Switch off location service on your phone (regular pinging of satellites sucks power), NFC (for payments) and Bluetooth, which often aren’t used
Use the power-saving mode (on most smart phones), which stops asking apps if there are any notifications and dims your screen.
FOOD STORAGE TIPS
Fridges:
Just before Blackout, take what you need out of the fridge and place in a toolbox; during Blackout leave fridge doors shut; UK Power Networks say if doors are not continually opened & closed, food should keep 4-5 hours
But if Blackout goes on longer than 4 hours, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) says all fridge contents should be thrown out
Freezer
FSA says food in a closed freezer will stay frozen for 24 hours or more...the fuller the freezer, the better
One freezer manufacturer said a full large freezer will keep food frozen 48 hours; it recommended ice blocks to slow down defrosting
Blogger: remember raw meats can be frozen twice, once in their natural state, once after defrosting and cooking. If raw meat is unintentionally defrosted, cook and re-freeze
EATING IN BLACKOUT
Obviously if you have a barbecue or a fireplace, you'll be fine. Otherwise:
if budget allows, check out the nearest sector that isn't in blackdown and, if possible, plan a meal out -- that way, we help boost the economy, too!
make a blackout meal a fun occasion - eat picnic style, on a blanket; maybe haul out the tent; dress up like North American Indians around a real/fake fire wrapped in Emergency Foil Blankets (bonus: it will also help pass the time!)
get organised; the night or a few hours before blackout starts:
dig out your some of your freezer stores of 67goingon50's frozen chocolate chip or other Cookie dough; bake (or have someone else bake) a platter-full, ready for a blackout treat
use frozen or tinned fruit to make a quick crumble
re-heat a frozen stew or casserole, store in a slow cooker on low till the electricity goes off; the contents will stay warm for at least an hour
blackout dessert: brush pre-baked pastry cases with melted chocolate; add drained chopped tinned fruit (stored in juice, not syrup) and top with clotted or whipped cream with a dribble of chocolate sauce. (tinned pie filling can also be used but is usually high in sugar
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