Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

mirry

so far so good, no heating on as yet , blankets in the evening and going to bed slightly earlier.
Having our showers before it gets dark helps .

cw18

Think -- nope! know -- it's time to change my chest freezer.....

Have recently invested in one of the energy monitoring plugs -- and have just removed it from my (almost 17 year old) chest freezer. In a little over 47 hours it's used 5.47kWh, which equates to 1058 kWh/yr :eek: Just had a quick look at a freezer in an on-line shop that's the same size, and even with a lowsy 'C' rating that's only quoting 350kWh/yr.

So mine's costing me at least an extra £5/month to run (based on this only using lower priced units as I'm on a NSC tariff) :eek:

Also means that of the 75 kWhs of electricity we used last week, 20.35 of those are this freezer alone :eek: :eek: :eek:


So a question (possibly for someone who may have tested new appliances with one of these monitors) -- I'm assuming the quoted figures on new appliances will be the best they get in testing? Does anyone know how realistic those are once in 'real' use or what sort of factor I should add on to try and work out my pack back period?

If I really managed 350kWh/yr on the one I looked at, the payback would be just under 2 years -- so I'm guesstimating that realistically I'm probably looking at 3 years That was a quick look at just one freezer (before I dive out for an appt) and I'd shop around to try and find a better rated/cheaper one before buying anyway , but what sort of payback period would other people be wanting to hope to achieve before replacing a 'functioning' appliance?

bellybabe_2

shezza, i agree with the others - don't take the risk, be warm.

We've not had the heating on much but are having problems with damp/condensation particularly in our bedroom - we had it done up last year and have laminate floor and plastered walls, rather than carpets and wallpaper as before, and we reckon that's why the condensation is much worse than it used to be. I read some info the energy saving trust gave us years ago when we had loft insulated and to avoid damp it recommended putting the heating on :rolleyes:...so I'm trying to find a balance. Working at home today though and all wrapped up without the heating on...beautiful but cold today and my raynauds kicked off when we went to school.
Reading this thread inspired me to make an appt for my flu jab though. Never had it before and last year, a week after refusing the nurse's offer of it, I got 'flu...:mad: Learned my lesson!:o
BB

Magentasue

bellybabe wrote: »

We've not had the heating on much but are having problems with damp/condensation particularly in our bedroom - we had it done up last year and have laminate floor and plastered walls, rather than carpets and wallpaper as before, and we reckon that's why the condensation is much worse than it used to be.
BB

In our old house (a renovation job), we had stripped floorboards, plastered walls and high bills.

We are half way through doing the bedrooms in our present house (another renovation) and I've just bought 100% wool carpets and mega thick felted underlay (cheaper than Carpetright's standard) for all three rooms. Got to help, I think.

irishwexford

I grew up in the days when the only heating was a big roaring fire and a hot water bottle. We kids very rarely got a cold. I do not use the heating much as I rely on my gas fire but do like a warm bathroom. We have electric blanket on bed as OH has cold feet otherwise I would not bother. My heating will not go on until November (hopefully) as I do begrudge paying all that cash on fuel. Our monthly dd is more than we used to pay for quarter.
I will still use drier during winter as I hate damp washing hanging about but when we get a nice windy day I will wash everything in sight. I am more aware these days and do make sure washing machine and dishwasher are full before using and nothing is left on standby.
If anyone is in a position to have a gas fire installed I would recommend this as it does save money and is cosy

Olliebeak

When we had that cold spell two weeks ago, I caved in and put the heating on with the room thermostat set at 18 degrees. The temperatures came back up a so I lowered my thermo down to 16 degrees.

Effectively this means that the c/h will only kick in if the temp drops to 16 or below - which is fine by me! I know that it's still 'ON' but the timer only allows it to work between 7.00am-9.00am and 7.00pm-11.00pm - and so far I haven't seen the 'little red light' come on at all.

Primrose

I know laminate flooring is very popular now and that some people think carpets are old fashioned, but the fact is that they do insulate your flooring. I was in somebody's house with laminate flooring the other day when it was really cold and my feet were frozen! That never happens to us at home with carpeting, even when the heating is turned off.

piratess

We have laminate flooring throughout downstairs and i have to say it is alot colder than carpets! .. we tend to always be wearing fluffly socks and slippers! .. Im waiting for the toddler to get a bit older the gonna carpet throughout! ..

Im trying to hold out until Nov 1st for heating as our payments have just been put up to £125 a month for gas and lec! (thats summer prices)

bertiebots

Primrose wrote: »

I know laminate flooring is very popular now and that some people think carpets are old fashioned, but the fact is that they do insulate your flooring. I was in somebody's house with laminate flooring the other day when it was really cold and my feet were frozen! That never happens to us at home with carpeting, even when the heating is turned off.

Because we have concrete floors we found that laminate was warmer than carpet in the lounge! It must be because of the type of underlay they used to fit the floor. Obviously the floor is still cold to the touch but the room itself doesnt loose as much heat....I now have some fab fleece slipper boots that I got from the market for £2 too keep my feet warm!!;)

bertiebots

Oh just got a letter from my gas/leccy supplier telling us that our gas is going up by 29.9% :eek: and our leccy by 19.2%:eek: ...I knew it was coming but why on earth are they back dating it from august.....:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: grrrrrrrrhhhhhh!! I had just got to grips with the cost of our current usage:rolleyes: but now I will have to work out the cost all over again:mad: