Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

carrottopsuk

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote:

bud-miser.. what are you trying to get at

Apologies if I've misunderstood however I think Bud means we keep referring to electric when we should be using the word electricity.

Is that right?

MORPH3US

bud-miser wrote:

The pedant in me says let's just get this right:

There is not a single user in these fora of electric.
Nobody at all here uses electric.
Nobody at all anywhere uses electric.
You can try - but using electric is a complete non-starter.
It's impossible for anybody to use electric - except as an adjective.

Please, can't we all go back to using electricity...?

You're correct with what you say, and sometimes it is annoying when people spell words wrongly or use incorrect words, but the fact is, we all know what people mean when they use "electric" instead of "electricity".

Its also bad manners to correct peoples grammar and use of english language on a forum so lets keep this thread on topic, I for one have picked up some great tips so far.....

M

COOLTRIKERCHICK

totally agree.... there are people from all walks of life on mse...and no one is perfect.....but to me everyone is the same on mse...

we are all here because we want to learn....about living a healthier.. and hopefully debt free life.....so comments about spelling.... grammer.... etc.... are to me totally uncalled for......

we all have our opinions.....but to me those types of comments are bordering on the lines of personal insult...

so could we please talk about the topic of this thread...

how can we try and save some pennies on energy useage...

caroline1973lefty

I'm loving this thread and will be down to wilkos myself!

Does anyone know, if you put the window film on windows that are already double glazed, does it improve them still further?

Just to come back on a few points, sorry i can't remember everyone's names, but:

a couple of people asked - is it worth turning things off, don't they use lots of power when you turn them back on? (flourescent lights, computers, heating etc) -
basically, it is worth turning things off even if just for a few minutes. (although energy effcient lightbulbs are one exception).
http://www.nef.org.uk/energyadvice/mythstruths.htm

tinfoil behind radiators - you can buy special panels but ordinary foil works fine. it reflects the heat back into the room -particularly effective if your rads are on external walls.

SusanCarter wrote:

The trouble with these low income energy efficiency grants is that if you are on a low income you can't afford to buy a house so you are stuck with whatever your landlord has put in (or not put in).

this is true for some of the schemes but the EAGA scheme detailed earlier in this thread is for people in rented accomodation, private or council/HA.

computer equipment - look for energy efficiency TCO ratings - they update them every few years, so TCO2003 is better than TCO1999. Flat screens use much less power than the old fashioned monitors. The old monitors used more power than the computer itself.

Asda has hot water bottles for £3 i think.

Lidls currently has draught-proofing strips (with brushes) to stick on the bottom of internal doors, for £5.

Lastly i think eating spicy food makes you hot - any views?!

Warm thoughts to you all
Caroline xx

jessicamb

taplady wrote:

MIRRY wrote:

I have a puppy who sleeps in the kitchen in her basket, I am concerned she may get cold out there at night but my husband says "dont be silly shes a dog! Surely dogs feel the cold ?
quote]

Our 3 dogs sleep in the kitchen with no heating and have done so since they were puppies! my OH says they dont need it too hot as its not healthy for them. They have blankets to snuggle into!;)

Some good tips here. Makes me realise how much energy we're wasting!:eek:
Am looking out for some fleecy blankets now!:D

Pick the dogs up and give them a great big hug! They are like free radiators if they sit still long enough :rotfl:

Caterina

We have stocked up with wood from skips and plan to use the wood stove in our living room to heat most of the house if not too cold, and supplement with moderate central heating, hot water bottles and socks in bed and blankets on laps when sitting in living room watching tv, reading or socialising at night.

Eat loads of hot soups, they are lovely and warming in the winter!

Make cups of tea to warm hands (we use decaff at night, or even better, sometimes even dried herbs grown in garden in the summer).

A good way to make a draughtproof 'sausage' to put at bottom of door to stop draughts:

Use a leg from old leggings, pijamas or gym trousers and stuff with old rags (that have no other use in the kitchen or craft room), or plastic bags or any suitable other material. Sew the ends. Much easier than making one from scratch!

Caterina

HappyShopper3

I've been reading this thread with interest. Since getting really involved here at MSE I've been looking at my whole lifestyle and how I can economise. Cooltrikerchick brought up something I was wondering, about using good old fashioned candles for heating instead of using lightbulbs and horrible economy 7 heaters.

I've just written to my Housing Association to get these heaters taken out. Ha! I asked them when I first moved here about 9 years ago and they wouldn't do it then. The guy at Housing office said he'd ring me back by Wednesday. I am not too hopeful. I've even applied for one of those heating grants from a couple of organisations and not heard anything back.

Meanwhile I am determined to keep costs down and if I get cold throw on a jumper. I've even got a sleeping bag to wrap up in if things get that bad. I notice that having readybrek in the morning really warms me up aswell as curries!

foreverskint

Having just recieved the electricity bill, for the last three months, very nearly 200:eek: I have informed the household that the Storage heating will now be going on at the very earliest the end of October (and if I can make it mid November all the better), and that if they are cold, they can tuck up under a blanket with hats on etc. I for one simply cannot afford to pay any more than I have to.

Have picked up some excellent tips on here, and it has really made me think about how we use the 'electricity' in this house:rotfl:

We now only have the hot water tank on for 1 hour a day, for bathtime.

HappyShopper3

I think we should start a thread to see who lasts the longest without any heating on! Now that would be a challenge.

Caterina

In my family we always try to last at least until 1st November, we live in London and it is usually quite easy. Perhaps someone in the Highlands or on the North coast (windy and damp) might find it harder.

Should we do the challenge by region, to make it fairer?

Caterina