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

1carminestocky

We have invested in a Remoska to more or less supercede our costly to run leccy double oven and, so far, the results (both culinary and leccy consumption-wise) have been very promising. As it has no thermostat there's no 'down time' where no fuel is being burned (unlike a leccy oven) but as it's 'only' 650 watts (we have the largest model, the grand, smaller ones in the range use even less leccy), it's a 'constant' 6.5p per hour to run for us (we are on Click 5). Similar cooking times to a 'normal' oven as well. Cost a really rather steep £99.99 but I think it will pay for itself within 12-18 months (we do a lot of cooking in our house!)

[Deleted User]

I have reached a point of `not caring` as I know we do what we can and we still remain comfortable. If I need to cook food then I don`t worry about the energy usage because I know that using the cheapest method is ingrained in me. We have 2 biobulbs on in the lounge at night now as we both read or do close work but hey that is only 50w in total.

The first runoff water from the hot tap goes into a kettle so I don`t waste water or energy but that is ok as the boiler is a combi and it isn`t from a tank. That is just something we do and it isn`t a conscious effort

If I need to have the heating on at any time then I instinctively know it will be necessary so I won`t hesitate. The time for greater energy use is now and I can see it rising little by little but that is what I have budgeted for. :cool:

What I am saying is that for me the challenge is over. I have no debts and have made allowances for the higher costs in winter. I have shown that it can be done and without sacrifice.

I`m off to get my lovely warm shower now but it is ecocamel and minimal energy

Magentasue

I'm getting to that point, kittie. Not doing nearly as well as you, but I'm back at work now (only part-time) so it means I have other priorities. But I've caught the kids switching their entertainment-corner off at the wall, lights are turned off more and there's a general awareness of what is carbon-naughty or water naughty.

Will still meter read and will also monitor heating and tumble drier use when we start with them. Again, I'm bothered more about waste than use e.g. leaving the heating on high when everyone goes out; not overriding the program on one of those rare sunny days when the windows are opened in mid-winter.

Maybe, we'll look for more ways to cut back in the future but, for now, enough done. The challenge is to make sure we don't slide.

mardatha

Kittie, are you filling the kettle with water from the hot tap then making tea with it? is that all right ? I was always told never, ever drink from the hot tap. (I dono why, I never asked LOL)

lauren_1

Nothing wrong with water from the hot tap, mine takes a while to run hot so we put that in the kettle and boil it, then transfer the excess to a thermos for hot drinks later on.
When there is mostly only one adult at a time in the house its a bit pointless and wastefull boiling the kettle every hour or so for a cuppa, we now only boil 4 times a day rather than 8/9

Larumbelle

The thing about not running water from the hot tap is to do with the hotwater tank. The temperature the water is at is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, plus the horror stories you'd hear about dead animals turning up in them, that always happened to someone's cousin's friend / their plumber's mate.

These days far fewer of us have a hot water tank, and water from a combi boiler is fine to drink etc, as it is not being heated until right when it's needed.

From a hot water tank I would say this is still okay, as the water is being boiled before being drank, so any bacteria will be killed off.

[Deleted User]

mardatha my boiler is a combi and the water is heated as it comes through

mardatha

oh ok I see. My hot water tank is in the loft and there's noway I'm going up there to have a look at it. The spiders are bigger than me.

oldMcDonald

mardatha wrote: »

oh ok I see. My hot water tank is in the loft and there's noway I'm going up there to have a look at it. The spiders are bigger than me.

Have a 'sympathy thanks'

As a fellow spider-scaredy-cat, I think you are making the right decision!

jscalow

I have a draughty flat as I have no double glazing and have been quoted £5k to have it fitted. After reading some recommendations on this site I have just started to put bubble wrap over the windows, I was using Velcro but @ £20 per 5metres this was working out too expensive so when I come to do the next set of windows I will use tape.
When I was getting the bubble wrap from a storage centre the lady told me she had done the same previously and it had made a difference although I am pleased that it hasn't really affected the light coming into the 2 rooms I have done.
I am hoping that once the heating is on and the flat has warmed up that it will take longer for it to cool down, as at the moment as soon as the radiators are turned off you can feel the draughts.
I am also going to put some tin foil lined cardboard behind the raditors to try and radiate more of the heat into the rooms. If you have done any of this in the past let me know how you got on, again if you are are planning on doing anything similar also let me know. good luck.