Avoid using Gas and Electricity

Ches

We went about 3 months without rain and we have had days and days of glorious sunshine which has made the gardens and fields look like the Sahara. Even when rain is forecast we often don't get it here and I am convinced we have our own micro climate. East Anglia is one of the driest counties anyway but this year has been exceptional. Having said all that the last couple of days have been overcast and it has just started to rain. I hope it keeps on for long enough to actually do some good as I have already lost some plants due to the drought. Its not cold indoors though and I am still in tee shirts.

I have a monthly meal plan but after reading this thread I am going to rejig it so that I can utilise the oven heat by cooking more than 1 days meal at a time. I may also look at one pot meals that can be made on the hob.

I love this house as its newish and well insulated so never cold but the downside is that we have no chimney. I have warned OH that the heating will be fixed at 18c for the winter and if we are still cold it will be jumpers and slippers. Luckily he sees the sense of that. The heating goes off at 10.30pm so I really must get into the habit of going to bed early instead of putting the heating back on because I am still sat reading through MSE forums until silly o'clock. We are both retired so having no heating on all day and being cold is not an option.

CH27

It's piddling down in the north west. I'm really chilly.

andymandy

Yes very cold here in the north west today. Had a sunny day yesterday but got cold in the evening. I put my fleece dressing gown on and cuddle up with a fluffy throw if I am very cold. My family think I am mad but I hate to be cold. I also encourage the cat to come and sit on my knee he is like a huge hot water bottle.

pineapple

I have a solid fuel stove in the lounge with just enough space on the top for a small pan. When I have the stove on, I sometimes put a pan of stew on and it acts like a slow cooker.

sianlee

I am lovin' reading through this thread. Thanks to all of the posters and their fab contributions.:T
I have let my MS slip quite a bit lately and my electric usage is creeping up again. I have been trying to think creatively to cutback my consumption. I have a son, with Aspergers, & he has quite a lot of trouble sleeping. He often drifts off in the wee hours with his tv left on a blue screen, his cd player still playing a talking book & his bedside lamp on. I only realise the next morning - luckily the lamp is a low energy bulb. I can't particularly change any of that but as we always have the landing light on all night (both sons request this), I wondered if I could bring in one of my fence post solar lights from the patio & stand it on the landing bookcase to give 'free' light all or most of the night. Then put it back out again the next morning for a days charge. The solar light is from the £shop so not broken the bank. I'll try it tonight and post the result. They could also be used in the sitting room whilst watching tv instead of candles. If it works I will be visiting said shop to buy some more as I reckon over the whole summer they will help to cut down my usage. I would like to reduce so I don't feel the price hike that B/gas will no doubt announce shortly.....:mad:

Molly41

Ive just fixed my gas and electricity for a year. Its seemed sensible and I wont have any nasty surprises. I have to have the heating on as Im disabled and get very cold very quickly.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

I think I have got a cunning plan. I will be going to bed on 31st October and staying there until 31st March. What with electricity prices, the cost of food and the cost of heating oil I cant afford winter any more.

Saves on silly money for Christmas presents too.

Seriously though I am following this thread with interest. I am trying to cut down on using my electric oven. I use my slow cooker a lot anyway but then put the oven on for silly things like garlic bread which is a bit pointless!! I now stop myself automatically putting the oven on when I start to cook tea and try and think of ways to avoid using it.

Been to watch DS play cricket this afternoon. I wore a long sleeved t-shirt, jumper, sweatshirt and coat. It was drizzling with rain and I ended up sitting on a bench wrapped in a picnic blanket. Oh I love the british summer - but at least the gardens getting watered!

Butterfly_Brain

This makes interesting reading from Nigel Lawson ex Tory chancellor and Nigella's dad
It is a real eye opener as to how much of our sky high energy bills is actually a green tax (On average £200 per household per year) :mad: :mad::mad::mad:

http://climaterealists.com/index.php?id=7838&linkbox=true&position=3

dom300186

possibly try the quilt under the sheet like a matress protector instead of the elctric blanket and see ho9w you go which means less in MR SWALEC's pocket lol.
Im gonna give it a go when winter comes however im slightly tempted to do it now as its cold but un like my mum, im determind not to turn my heating on as its been off now for 2 and a half weeks.

happy35

i have a feather mattress topper and it definitely makes the bed a lot warmer, used to use an old duvet under the sheet and this also works but it is not as comfy