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

borntoshop

A question I have read all pages and did a search too, I dont think my boiler is a combi, its a two year old Potterton promax HE
I was told many moons ago that to keep switching the hot water on and off was as dear as to leave it on 24/7. It seems wrong but would love some guidance. It takes about 15 minutes to heat up and I believe its a smaller tank in the loft.

Andy_Hamilton

borntoshop wrote: »

A question I have read all pages and did a search too, I dont think my boiler is a combi, its a two year old Potterton promax HE
I was told many moons ago that to keep switching the hot water on and off was as dear as to leave it on 24/7. It seems wrong but would love some guidance. It takes about 15 minutes to heat up and I believe its a smaller tank in the loft.

It has been covered loads, the bottom line is...
If you went away on holiday for a year, would you leave it on to save money or turn it off.

To save money lag the boiler (if it's less than 75mm thick). Set the boiler to heat up just before you will use it and then make sure it's turned off before you use the water. That way you will only use the hot water and not heat up a cupboard all day. The extra heat will be saved for next time.

borntoshop

Boiler lagged, thanks for good advice, sorry may have been covered lots, I spent a good few hours reading through different threads. Not as obvious to find, even trying various search phrases. But learnt lots along the way. Just this little question seemed missing as everybody is referring to combis.

I wouldnt leave it on if I went away but then neither would I be using it. As I am in the house using I wondered if the cost of heat up from cold cost more than hot water on tap.
Anybody know the actual price difference on the two?

Andy_Hamilton

Here is a link I found for you.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1027947&highlight=on+constant

borntoshop

Brilliant you clever person, thats the thing if you are a regular to a particular board you know the terms to search for. First day here today.

whatatwit

jscalow wrote: »

Just done my i-measure readings -

• £3.29 on gas
• £8.28 on electricity

Gas usage remains pretty constant but electricity usage has gone up from £6.60 last week to £8.28- I am guessing that as now evenings are drawing in this will only increase due to lighting usage.

Club Rank MoneySaving Carbon Club 9/42
Total you have spent on energy since starting imeasure (4 weeks ago):

• £14.27 on gas
• £30.12 on electricity

Hmmm, I wonder how these carbon clubs work

For this week
Gas £3.12
Electric £9.00 carbon club rank 44/45

Totals

Gas £10.47
electric £26.16 3 weeks

I do realise that these amounts will be incorrect as they are not based on my unit rates.

Looks as though I'm at the bottom of the MSE heap

Magentasue

I've given up trying to work out the imeasure ratings. I have started putting the heating on for an hour here and there. While I've identified lots of ways to cut electricity wastage, with gas, I'm pretty much using it as I would normally.Once it's going on every day, I'll take more notice.

Our energy monitor has been a great success. I dithered about shelling out for it but it has been brilliant at making my non-believers more aware about how much they're using/wasting. They're truly impressed when they see the reading plummet as they go round turning off. Also, I can see from afar when all those lights go on!

We've got as low as 8 units in a day when we've all been working/at school/college for most of the day.Still averaging 11-13 units most days.

1carminestocky

Magentasue wrote: »

I've given up trying to work out the imeasure ratings. I have started putting the heating on for an hour here and there. While I've identified lots of ways to cut electricity wastage, with gas, I'm pretty much using it as I would normally.Once it's going on every day, I'll take more notice.

Our energy monitor has been a great success. I dithered about shelling out for it but it has been brilliant at making my non-believers more aware about how much they're using/wasting. They're truly impressed when they see the reading plummet as they go round turning off. Also, I can see from afar when all those lights go on!

We've got as low as 8 units in a day when we've all been working/at school/college for most of the day.Still averaging 11-13 units most days.

I totally agree :T . It seems like the only people who don't rate them are those who haven't used them :rolleyes: . Whilst I also have a plug-in usage monitor, it's the Owl monitor that has REALLY helped us reduce our leccy consumption as it's so 'in yer face' all the time - plus the kids actually find it interesting, unlike the plug in monitors.

Magentasue

Have to confess I also have both (a CurrentCost and a plug in type). The plug in was useful, for example, in working out cheapest way to do the washing. The CurrentCost not so good for that. In fact I ignore it when an appliance like the washing machine goes on but I know there's something wrong when we're on 1kwh of an evening.

It woke OH up to the cost of those light fittings with more than one bulb. I know it's pretty obvious and you can do the maths without a gadget with a display but I didn't get anywhere when I tried to explain it that way.

Lily-Lu

Does anyone know why i-measure won't allow a lower reading (than previously entered) to be entered?

I've used less leccy this week and it won't accept it. It says ' Electricity1 meter reading cannot be less than previous reading.'. What's that all about?

On a different note, I've treated myself to an induction hob from one of the shopping chanels. Hoping it'll save some electric when I'm just doing a one pan meal. Can't wait to get it. I just love new kitchen gadgets:j