Bringing down my gas and leccy bill challenge (start August 2008)

[Deleted User]

Our 24 hour gas usage has, on an average, gone down a bit to 4.9 kwh and electricity has stayed the same at 6.7 kwh

I feel a bit paranoic doing the readings every few days but I am curious re the measures we have been taking. I rigged up a sort of solar water heater that is plonked on a seat on the patio on a sunny day and so far so good because the water gets warm enough for non-greasy dishes all day. Only where the heck is the sun now??? winter is going to be long at this rate

Little_Star_3

mardatha wrote: »

We are using 7-8 units a day, just the two of us in a mid-terraced cottage, no upstairs. Cant get it lower no matter what we do--and the heating is coal .

We are averaging that at the moment, also between two. I feel so obsessed about it all at the moment, guess im just scared the bills leap up and Im stuck with a big bill. About two weeks ago I started a new job and a few days in I started reading the electric metre before leaving the house, and then when I came home to find out how many units are used when we are not it...its somewhere between 2 or 3. Cant think how to reduce this any more as all I can think it is is the fridge freezer and the electric bedside clock. Gas is low just now, turns over one unit every 4 to 5 days, scared that one shoots up as it gets colder though, hence being part of the challenge!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Electricity Bill in May - £187, average useage over 11 units per day. Cue hysterical fit. Suggested DD payment was to be £65 per month.

All blown bulbs replaced with low energy light bulbs, most of which I got free from one organisation or another. No standby appliances, kids threatened with removal of TV/Playstation/sweets and crisps if this rule was ignored.

Dishwasher used on eco setting and only when full to the brim, washing machine on 30, tumble dryer still necessary as tenancy terms prohibit drying clothes either outside (where the clothes might be seen) or inside (where they might make mould grow). Yes, I'd like to know where I'm supposed to dry them too - do I have to find a launderette, perhaps?

New electric bill this week - average useage 6.5 units daily, total bill including price rises now only £80.

I feel better this quarter. Kids congratulated - and told to keep it up as the money saved goes towards their Xmas presents.

Just waiting for gas bill now. Have been switching hot water off until water runs cold (one hour on gives us about 3 days of hot water at present).

I'm dreading winter though. Have a scary collection of mad old woman cardigans ready, but still worried.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Have taken meter reading and, after much tapping away at calculator, have estimated that they potentially owe me money. Here's hoping my GCSE maths hasn't let me down!

elisebutt65

I thought I'd join in but E-On won't let me access my account at the mo.

However, I did get my bill online last week and my useage compared to this time last year has nearly halved!!!!:T:T.

I save up my washing now and do just 2 washes a week -There's just me and the 2 boys, and I only do the sheets once a fortnight now - I'd rather be a bit skanky than poor - LOL:rotfl::rotfl:. I have replaced every single light bulb with LE ones and I also just got new washing machine and fridge freezer this past year as the others broke.

I can't quite believe my gas bill this 1/4 but it was meter readings and NOT estimates but I managed to use the humongous sum of £24 on gas - in 3 months!!!!:D I get the kids to take it in turns to jump into each others bath water (snicker) Reminds me of when I was a kid - My mum used to have a bath and then we'd all take it in turns to hop in after her and being the oldest - I got the first use - I have merely carried on the practice as I'm not allowed to have a shower fitted - I may scream at the council when I can get around to it as this would be better for their tenants and the environment surely?

I've also had my bills lowered from £72 to £60 - Yeay!!! and I'm still in credit as well:p

Totally agree with the fleeces - we're in fleece heaven here - the brightly coloured ones from Ikea a re great and we all have one each to snuggle up on the sofas when it's chilly, rather than turning the heating on. I don't use the kettle anymore at all now having got one of the Flavia machines and it just heats enough water for 1 cup at a time.

Got a massive velvet curtain from Oxfam as well to put over the back door which stops all draughts dead as well as draught excluders - my house now reminds me of being a child in the 70's - ah well.

Trying to get my spend down as low as possible especially on the leccy as that cost me £120 on the meter this 1/4. Still waiting for my energy monitor from Eon after capping last month.

mardatha

I don't suppose anybody knows how much it costs for the central heating pump to work ? very average figure ?

Andy_Hamilton

40-100 watts for 3 speed pumps.
The electronic valves used also use around 7W

airedaleterrier

I'm thinking of a thick wool curtain for the front door. I'm sure I've seen a devise that moves a hinged curtain rod when the door opens. Am I imagining it as I can't find anything on the internet? Any ideas? Problem I have is DH works shifts so at times will be coming in while I'm tucked up in bed, so he needs to be able to wrestle his way past the curtain (quietly) when he comes in. Any help would be appreciated

penrhyn

You are not imagining them, we had them at home when I was growing up, as you opened the door the curtain was raised to clear the floor. Haven't seen them for years.
But a quick Google produced this:-
http://www.tracksandpoles.com/rod_portiere.shtml

airedaleterrier

What a star. I spent ages the other night on google and even look at this site, but still didn't find them. Many thanks. Will start looking for cheap wool blankets now to line the curtain with.