Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

mumof4our

Hi,

I've noticed a few people mentioning that it is better to run WM and such in an evening at lower rates. Does this apply to everyone or does it depend on your supplier?

Thanks

Olliebeak

QUOTE: 'Hi, I've noticed a few people mentioning that it is better to run WM and such in an evening at lower rates. Does this apply to everyone or does it depend on your supplier? Thanks'



I think that this one depends on your electricity tariff.

If you're on 'Economy 7' (where you pay for your electricity at two different rates with the cheaper one being for 7 hours during the night time) it makes sense to use 'high wattage' appliances during your cheaper tariff period - i.e. washing machines, dishwashers, breadmakers etc.

greenbee

ceridwen wrote: »

Smart meter eh. Ummmm.....correct me if I'm wrong - but aint that a type of meter where the fuel company (?) can tell from afar via their computers how much the consumer is using at that exact second (ie get a good idea over time of when one is in or out, etc). So - if someone could enlighten me before I decide whether to have one or no come the chance. Got an idea they can - so my decision was NOT to do so.

(Just trying to resist the creeping tendency in our society these days for everyone else to know what you're doing all the time - reminds me: must go off and read that Guardian article in more detail about the spy planes our own Govt plans on having making regular flights over Britain soon - what was the excuse again? Oh - I know - terrorists again - that one.)

So now we know the real reason that the government are pushing the energy companies to invest in smart metering technology... its not to help us save money on energy after all! :rolleyes: I think it will take a while to get the rolled out to everyone, so you should be safe for a few years.

mrs-moneypenny

i must have worked my kettle out wrong i was mithering over it yesterday and ended up ringing scottish power to see if id worked it out correctly and if that could be whats upped my payments. spoke to a really nice lorraine kelly soundalike;) who explained wed come off one capped price at he time the bills when up and moved onto the next one as it had gone up while we were capped (that i realised) she said the last meter reading they'd had from me was may so asked me to read the meter out to her she then told me exactlly how much i'd used since may and even worked out i was using on average £1.50 a day so she said the kettle cant be that bad. as that sounds average use she also told me we are back in credit so i was happier with that as the payments could go back down if we stay at present use or manage to tighten up.

Primrose

Even if the central heating is turned off at this time of year, don't forget to turn the gas boiler hot water system off as well if you're going on holiday. No point in heating the water for two weeks if nobody's going to be in the house.

Magentasue

greenbee wrote: »

So now we know the real reason that the government are pushing the energy companies to invest in smart metering technology... its not to help us save money on energy after all! :rolleyes: I think it will take a while to get the rolled out to everyone, so you should be safe for a few years.

For some reason, this sort of thing doesn't bother me like it does other people.

I thought the big thing about smartmeters was that they didn't need to be read so you didn't need to let someone into your house (thinking about benefits for vulnerable people here) and, more importantly, it would be the end of estimated bills.

troo

I had smart meters put in a few weeks ago. A man turned up last week to read the meters :rolleyes: I told him I had the new meters and it confused him I felt a bit sorry for him so I let him take the readings lol.

Magentasue, I'm working on a formula for gas kWh, everything I try gives me 'error in your formula blah blah blah'. I WILL NOT let it beat me lol.

Spendless

Can I join in?:j Our shower has 'died' so at minute it is either a bath or what my nan would call a strip-wash (very o/s:p ). Need to sort shower and also have our chimney swept as it is still original open (though not in use) in our bedroom, the thought of chimney sweeps and small children though.:eek: It can wait till kids are back at school.

I notice a lot of people are getting their kids dressing gowns. My 2 have them but rarely wear them as I'd put them on back of their doors and they aren't at a reachable height for them. Next week dd's bedroom is being decorated and I'm going to have hooks put in that are at the right height for them to reach.

Something else I want to get is an indoor clothes drier. I spend all winter and part of summer if weather is bad or I have too much washing for line using TD and my usage has GOT to reduce if not completely stop.

anniewoo

Because my gas prices seem to have gone up a lot more than electric,instead of using the gas boiler to heat my water,I have been putting the immersion heater on for 30 minutes every morning.

Now I have just read on the Gas and Electric board that immersion heaters use a lot of electric,so I am a bit confused as to what to do :undecided

Obviously I don't have the central heating on at this time of year,so do I carry on with the immersion heater or switch the boiler on to heat the water?I live on my own so I don't use huge amounts of hot water.

Magentasue

anniewoo wrote: »

Because my gas prices seem to have gone up a lot more than electric,instead of using the gas boiler to heat my water,I have been putting the immersion heater on for 30 minutes every morning.

Now I have just read on the Gas and Electric board that immersion heaters use a lot of electric,so I am a bit confused as to what to do :undecided

Obviously I don't have the central heating on at this time of year,so do I carry on with the immersion heater or switch the boiler on to heat the water?I live on my own so I don't use huge amounts of hot water.

Different situation because we are a family of six with a combi boiler but in our old house we used the boiler all year round with it on hw only for the summer. I'm sure that having the boiler on for half an hour would be cheaper than using the immersion heater.