Best ways to save on gas

jools209

Hi! We recently received a very scary gas statement and we have been grossly underpaying each month and are now in arrears. We have been very stupid and not keeping on top of our own usage since moving in -something I will definitely do from now on! I am really just looking for some advice on how to heat our home without breaking the bank. We have two very small children including a newborn and our home is an old one which can get VERY cold! I am on maternity leave so am home most days with the kids. During the winter months I want the house to be reasonably warm through the day. Which is cheaper - turn the thermostat down and have the heating on all day OR turn the thermostat up and have the heating on a timer to come on in bursts throughout the day? Also, does turning radiators in some rooms off whilst the heating is on make much difference to usage? I know - I am a total dunce when it comes to this - forgive me! Any other tips to keep us warm but avoid bankruptcy would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
Julie

Mazio_2

You really need to carry out some checks your self because each prop is different but in my prop my findings are as follows (for gas central heating).

It takes allot of energy (gas) from cold to warm our house then it just ticks over so stop starting for short periods for me would cost more. Idont have heating on at night though.

The higher the thermostat the more it costs as the differential with outside is greater and for me costs are greater.

Insulation has to be good as well if you dont have double glazing then thick curtains closed before temp outside drops should help even with double glazing this helps.

Switching 1 or 2 rads off in my house does not seem to save very much.

Also ensure you stop all draughts but still allow fresh air to circulate.

Your boiler should have another thermostat to control how hot the water going through the rads is the higher the number the hotter the water the more gas but it has to be enough to get the room upto temp to low and the rads are luke warm but the lower the temp for me the less gas is used.

If you have controllers on each rad then try out different settings the lower normally the cooler the rad will be so each room if rads are sized correctly could be different temp.

But as I stated you really need to read your meter and try different methods remember the outside temp will have a bearing as well.

Cardew

Mazio wrote: »

You really need to carry out some checks your self because each prop is different but in my prop my findings are as follows (for gas central heating).

It takes allot of energy (gas) from cold to warm our house then it just ticks over so stop starting for short periods for me would cost more. Idont have heating on at night though.

The higher the thermostat the more it costs as the differential with outside is greater and for me costs are greater.

Insulation has to be good as well if you dont have double glazing then thick curtains closed before temp outside drops should help even with double glazing this helps.

Switching 1 or 2 rads off in my house does not seem to save very much.

Also ensure you stop all draughts but still allow fresh air to circulate.

Your boiler should have another thermostat to control how hot the water going through the rads is the higher the number the hotter the water the more gas but it has to be enough to get the room upto temp to low and the rads are luke warm but the lower the temp for me the less gas is used.

If you have controllers on each rad then try out different settings the lower normally the cooler the rad will be so each room if rads are sized correctly could be different temp.

But as I stated you really need to read your meter and try different methods remember the outside temp will have a bearing as well.

This comes up time and time again.

In essence the longer your boiler is off the less it costs to run.

The theory that it takes more gas to heat house from cold than to keep it constantly warm is incorrect - an urban myth. Loads and loads of threads on this with statements from the Energy Saving Trust.

Having the water temperature in your radiator to be lower will not always be more economical - depends on boiler.

Premier_2

jools209 wrote: »

...Any other tips to keep us warm but avoid bankruptcy would be greatly appreciated!...

"Just wear 2 jumpers" as ex-British Gas boss, Jake Ulrich, said.

Now I know he was lamented for his 'flippant' and 'out of touch' comments at the time, but the basis of the comment is sound.

If you wear enough layers of clothes in winter, you'll hardly need any heating.

If your home is as old as you suggest, it probably never had much in the way of heating when it was originally built, but the occupants survived, even newborns. Just wrap up warm.

The less you have to rely on heating, the cheaper it will be.

rottertron

Check youre loft insulation, needs to be around one foot thick. Wickes are doing a deal, buy one roll and get 2 free at the moment
Would definatley pay itself off over this winter.

CrashUK

what type of thermostat are you using... old ones are way out and can under heat or over heat your house costing you money as may set it to high so your not cold .. set your thermostat to 22C also set timer to the times your in the house. Where its cold but up think curtains.

savemoney

20c to 22c should be adequate room temperature 22c nice and toasty

Go to http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ and look for advice and possible grants

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Heating-and-hot-water



Get a grant today

lemontart

if you use heating just heat the room you are in not the whole house, invest in a vest or two and hot water bottles, thermal backed curtains and wear slippers or at least socks to keep the feet warm - extra covers on the bed at night - all things that folk used to do before we all got soft.

I rarely turn heating on as I simply cannot afford to though my daughter has a habit of turning it on and the fire in the front room - I cannot see why the dining room etc needs heating when no one in there.

If worried about pipes lag them to insulate them against cold.

Oddjob

I have a Victorian terrace house. My gas central heating stopped working about three years ago, I can't afford to get it fixed. I have three oil filled radiators, one in the bathroom, one in the back room (both kept on a really low setting on very cold nights) and one in the front room where I mostly sit at night (I put this on for about half an hour before going to sit in the room then just put it on for a little while if needed). I keep the curtains drawn when its cold. I wrap up well, wearing a jumper and a fleece jacket and if I'm cold whilst sitting, I have a blanket to curl up under. I wear socks and warm slippers. When I go to bed I take a hot water bottle. I put the immersion heater on when I need hot water for a bath, otherwise I boil a kettle.
I know this perhaps wouldn't suit anyone with a newborn, but when I was little, we didn't have central heating, it did me no harm. I actually think its healthier. When I go to stay with friends of mine who have heating, I'm usually far too hot and end up throwing the bed clothes off or opening a window.