Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

Principia_2

camNolliesMUMMY wrote: »

I'm not on a meter and our direct debit is £35 a month for 6 months and the other 6 months we don't pay, I think it's between April-October we don't pay for?

£55 a month is expensive. I'd go to direct debit n not have a meter in this case.

It does partly depend on what area of the country you live in - I'm covered by Bristol Water/Wessex Water and my debit is just under £45pm - no meter and includes sewage charges.


I think it's even more expensive down Cornwall way.


Edited to add £45pm every month - not just 6 months of the year!

Pyxis

camNolliesMUMMY wrote: »

£55 a month is expensive. I'd go to direct debit n not have a meter in this case.

I think I'm right in saying that once you have a meter, you can't change back to the rateable value system.

Also, if you live on your own, the chances are that a meter is cheaper than the rateable value method. The rule of thumb is that if you have more bedrooms than people living in the house, it's cheaper to have a meter.
It still may be cheaper even if that doesn't apply, but you'd then need to compare the bill on the rateable value method, with how much water you use times the current cost for the area, etc.

moments_of_sanity

So, found the right meter (checked the serial number on my bill), ran no water for an hour and the meter stayed the same!? Looks like my 17 & 18 yr old girls are excessive users! Will be interesting to see what it drops to once the eldest goes off to uni in September!

Pyxis

It might be interesting to time them in the shower, and then work out what the shower cost. Then show them the cost! It might just shock them into turning the water off while they're soaping/shampooing and only turn it back on to rinse.

Also, things like leaving the tap running at full pelt while you soap your hands or brush your teeth, when multiplied by four, can bump up the bill.

Time for a family conference?

redbooties

I'm on a water meter and my direct debit has shot up from £52 a month to £83!!! I nearly cried when the bill came in. I live with my 2 daughters, we do have a bath everyday which I've now banned, I've told them showers only. I've got a dual flush on the toilets and I don't own a dishwasher, I only use the washing machine once or twice a week so I don't understand why it's so high

camNolliesMUMMY

Oh I didn't know you could not change back from being on a meter.

Primrose

I believe I may have come across this tip on an earlier thread here but how to double up a quantity of butter may be worth repeating.

Beat half a cup of lukewarm water into half a cup of butter. Start slowly, especially if using an automatic mixer or it will splatter. Add tiny amounts of water at a time and continue beating until all the water is mixed into the butter mixture which will bulk it out. Store in the fridge. After a while the mixture will firm up.

Primrose

redbooties - I thought you were allowed to switch back from a metered water supply to an unmetered supply if you requested the move within the first twelve months but perhaps they have changed the rules. Worth checking with your water board though just in case this still applies or there has been an error in your water meter reading.

consultant31

camNolliesMUMMY wrote: »

Oh I didn't know you could not change back from being on a meter.

You can request a water meter which (in our area anyway) is fitted free of charge. If you find your bill is higher within the first year, they will remove the meter at your request, without charge. After that I'm not sure if you can change back.

moments_of_sanity

Pyxis wrote: »

It might be interesting to time them in the shower, and then work out what the shower cost. Then show them the cost! It might just shock them into turning the water off while they're soaping/shampooing and only turn it back on to rinse.

Also, things like leaving the tap running at full pelt while you soap your hands or brush your teeth, when multiplied by four, can bump up the bill.

Time for a family conference?

The girls are aware of how little room for manoeuvre we have with bills etc due to only 1 person in the house being able to work so they do try to be good, trouble is we live on quite an 'affluent' estate and they already think I have lost the plot over a lot of old style money saving that I do but yes, we definitely need to chat about this.

Aaahhhhhh, youngest DD has said she is generally in the shower for 30 mins minimum wi it running all the time.......this defo needs to change! I never thought to check how long they take in there! Eldest says she is in there for about 15 mins with it running constantly!