Avoid using Gas and Electricity

lv1109

BigMummaF wrote: »

I noticed that Asda are selling their basic fleece throws for £2 now but they did have a lovely chocolate brown one.
I was surprised how willingly the offspring accepted using them during this last winter, whilst sat watching tv or on the poota. In fact, I may have to get some more because the ones I had in the lounge seem to have migrated north to the bedrooms

We've got these fleece throws too. They are lovely, and such good value for the price. We got them initially to keep us warm but they are nice laid over the leather sofa at this time of year, helping to keep sofa scratch free (we have a puppy who has a fixation with getting on the sofa, he is learning verrrrry slooooow, lol).

I hope this keeps in the spirit of the thread - we turn the microwave and cooker off at the mains and only turn them on when in use. It may only save pennies per year but I suppose it does add up with our other energy saving. I wear a watch so no need for the clocks to be on the microwave and cooker so I felt this was needless energy we were using.

I also get my water boiling on the hob then put the lid on and turn the hob off, the water keeps bubbling going for ages!

LV

Patchwork_Quilt

I found our crochet blankets the other day - just like the fleeces, they go on when it's too chilly in the evening to be comfortable but it's too late/we're feeling too mean to put the heating on

annie123

My son has asked me to pass on thanks to everyone who contributed ideas on the last thread.

He has cut his electricity usage in half :j comparing this last quarter to the same one last year.

He became a penniless mature student last September and had to cut back everywhere, and even more when he was made redundant from his part time job.

When I suggested to him he reads the thread he starting muttering "middle aged jam makers!" but now calls us "wise and cunning jam makers:rolleyes:"

He is thrilled to bits, his last bill was down a bit so he re read it (he reads the forum regularly but never posts ) and cut back more.

So from someone who is 30 next year god that makes me feel old:eek:
A big :beer:.

calleyw

I have a 1200rpm spin washing machine.

And I always do a spin on that speed. Anyway I was having a mega clean out of the kitchen day. Even took shelves out of the fridge to wash :eek: and the drawer out of my washing machine. Put the machine on a 50 degree wash no powder. But popped a couple of things in just to rinse through really. One was a big fleecy winter coat.

Put the machine on a 500rpm spin and did not put the stuff out until about 4.30 just got it in and the jacket has one very small damp patch on it.

So from now on when the washing is going to be out for the bulk of the day and it is a lovely sunny day I will be using a lower spin speed. Yes it will take longer to dry. But then I am out to work for most of the day it will make no difference. But means that each wash will cost a little less.

Yes I know very sad. But every little helps.

Yours


Calley

BitterAndTwisted

I don't have children getting their clothes completely filthy so I do all of my laundry in cold water with about half of the manufacturer's recommended quantity of detergent. As far as I'm concerned my clothes are not noticeably dirtier or whiffy compared to a wash in heated water. I am considering doing the bedlinen and towels in cold water as well just to see how that goes. I've got nothing to lose except the cost. I don't know why I never thought of it before. Old habits die hard, I reckon

BitterAndTwisted

pagangirl wrote: »

I live in a flat too - guy downstairs lives with his mum, just uses his flat for storarge/postal address for benefits, so no heat from down below, Have occupied flat next to my bedroom/bathroom wall, but living room/kitchen are on outside walls, so no heat there either. Some mornings I get up, temperature is down to 13' and it's baltic :eek:

Yes, isn't it? I had the thermostat set at 14 degrees this winter because I was so worried about the bills compared to last year with all the increases. I must have been a sight for sore eyes: fingerless gloves so I could still type on the comp, thermal undies on and a scarf. But it was worth it, the heating bill was less than last year

mama67

I'm going to look for a few more fleece balnkets in rreadiness for winter, boys love having them to snuggle under even now especially DS2 who usually uses one first thing whilst watching tv.

sarahs999

Very excitingly, I just got an unsolicited letter from Scottish Power saying they are reducing my direct debits by £8 a month as I am using much less electricity than they expected. Unexpected to say the least and a nice change from the usual moneygrabbing utility companies.

sammy_kaye18

Hi All

didn't see this nice shiny new thread until earlier - woohhooo!!! I know its only June but am already planning ahead for winter and Christmas - my last bill was horrendous - we had step son to stay for a fair bit of it and he feels the cold because his mother has her heating on constantly and he gets to wander round in shorts and tshirt so the heating was on a lot - so £200 gas bill and a £150 electric bill was not very happy in the least so have been trying to reduce it as best i can.

Have been rereading old thread - hoping to get new vertical blinds this year which should help with keeping heat in I hope. as they will fit properly - old ones left by previous council tenant were put in wonky and dont fit right. Plus the curtains we have are too short and stick out about 5 inches from the window so hoping to rectify that this year too - hoping to find some longer ones and some shorted curtain pole holders!

Keep the ideas coming though - hoping to get a list of to do things ready soon

DdraigGoch

Can I suggest that if you could make some pelmets for the windows it'd save an awful lot of heat. You can make them from firm cardboard [v strong delivery boxes are good for this, the big ones from electrical shops ... just a though], and then cover them with matching wallpaper or curtain material. Many oldfashioned sewing books have instructions for them if you happen to frequent charity shops Best source of old books, I find