Cold weather... house insulation.

[Mildred]

So why isn't there much central heating? Is it because its too expensive, or not enough heating installers? If hubby comes over with a view to installing central heating is he going to be rushed off his feet and financially o.k. or is he going to be without work as no one can afford to put heating in?

I know there is a lot of LPG out there, but don't imagine this makes much difference - but wot do I know. I only just know how to turn the thing on :?

I had an electric blanket when I was a little girl but nearly set fire to the bed. I had badly wet the bed but being self conscious I didn't tell my mum. Well she turned the blanket on that night and well, the rest is history. Well I was only five years old - that's my excuse anyway.

[cpgrant]

I spent a year in Seattle, another supposedly "green and environmentally friendly" area, and I was surprised how many older apartments and homes were lacking in proper insulation and central heating. We lived in a large loft apartment and even though it never gets all that cold in Seattle (rarely below freezing, only occasional snow) I spent all winter freezing. Once the sun went down, the temperature in our place would plummet and the collection of electric wall heaters were hopelessly outmatched. And our electric bills - ouch!

But in my apartment in Montana, I've got the old fashioned centralized steam heat, double glazed windows, and proper insulation. It's always toasty come winter. It can be 40 below zero (F, or C) with a 50 MPH gale blowing outside and it's still cozy indoors. It's going to be tough to give that up

[Diny]

According to my father in law, electricity and gas is fairly expensive in NZ and he says that the reason central heating isn't popular is becuase very few folks could afford it. He also says that it's just what they are use to and that they don't really notice the cold.

Well I'm very proud of him for being such a hardy sort. However, I have no intention of 'getting use to it' - by hook or by crook I WILL have a warm house.


Diny

[veronica]

what Diny says is true in that there is a very proud sort of attitude that Kiwis are to tough to need heating, Blow that for a lark, I'm not. The heating insulation etc is all here and the people to install it are about. Its just not the norm yet for it to be put in automatically.
I would disagree slightly with the comments about the weather. I can't answer for the North Island but the south Island tends to be quite dry and very often sunny (often its a lovely day outside but cold indoors, and apparently is hotter than the north in the summer. I have come to the conclusion that it is quite windy too.

[Diny]

Hi Veronica.

I'm glad that the heating equipment and the people qualified to install it are available ..... I shall sleep easier for knowing that I won't be freezing my tush off.

My comments regarding the weather - yeah I know that it's a general rule of thumb that NZ has slightly better weather than the UK - but I did say 'in my experience' ....... yeah I've had nice weather out there but boy oh boy have I had some rubbish too - far more than I was lead to believe I would get !!

I can honestly say that weather - what ever it may be - doesn't bother me. Rain or shine, hot or cold, wet or dry .......... I just like my houses warm.

Diny

[upandrunning]

The reason they don't mind the cold is because they are either in a semi state of hypothermia or they are too pissed to notice!

On a serious not though they are thinking of amending building laws in the next 3 years to say new dwellings must have double glazing.....trouble is the kiwis will need to have to look up double glazing in a dictionary or something!

[Diny]

Upandrunning :eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :eek

[Brit Guy]

Upandrunning...

Sounds like you are somewhere you don't like, and shouldn't be.

[Diny]

I'm sure (hoping) that Upandrunning's remarks are made tongue in cheek.

Diny

[Bushpig]

Dont be so bloody soft. Its not that cold. Harden up poms. get a fire going and harden up

: