Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

Rage_in_Eden

surfing_nanna wrote:

When using the oven, cook more than one meal at a time, you could get up to 4 different dishes in providing they are the right size. Freeze the unwanted meals to use at a future date :j

I cannot put the oven on if it isn't full - casserole? jacket pots and a pudding. If it is just one thing - a HM pie for example baking day comes early so that the shelves are all full. I'm the same with washing and will actively look for things to wash if the washer has to be run that day.... DH thinks I'm bonkers.....:rotfl:

flourgirl

Can anyone tell me where I can buy half saucepans, the sort you fit 2 onto a ring, my mum has had some years but can't remember where they came from. We're trying to cut the electicity bill down and I thought this would be a good idea now there is just the two of us. I have an electric steamer but prefer the pan method of cooking. Thanks

Monney_2

kal25 wrote:

Hi,we had an open fire when first moved in but brought an electric fire(it only gets used if really freezing in living room).However, hubby has decided with the price rises may be more economical to have open fire back. Can anyone tell me where to get the bottom grates from? how much is smokless coal and how long approx. would it last? I do think open fires make it seem cosier when the long nights draw in.:rolleyes:

Hi Kal25,

We moved into our 3 bed-semi some 2 years ago and have an open fire in our living room, which I wouldn't live without.

My OH goes to the local coal merchant's with £50.00 and buys all he can for that amount (smokeless of course) and that usually lasts all winter and thats with the fire on nearly every night. It really does get nice and warm and some nights we end up having to open the windows, but at least we don't have to have the radiator on in the living room or my little boys bedroom either as his room is directly above the living room and the heat from the fire really does keep his room lovely and warm all night.

I would definately look into opening up the fireplace, just ring round a couple of coal merchants and ask how much you would get for your money.

gillycat

happygal wrote:

If you are E7 get a timer so you get set your washing machine to come on during your cheapo time.

Would 2nd towels as draught excluders.

My house is like a fridge in winter and when you in the bathroom you can see your breath so am going to have to fork out for a fan heater in there - are they expensive to rum?

Under no circumstances buy a fan heater unless you want to hand over the entire contents of your bank account to the electricity company. Also v. dangerous - water and electricity DO NOT mix

moggins

If you have to get a separate heater then get one of the halogen ones. We used ours last year and it costs about 7p per hour to use. We didn't notice a huge increase when we used it.

full-time-mum

MIRRY wrote:

full time mum, what a great idea you had !

when my hubby gets home today, I will send him up in the loft to design some sort of insulation for the loft hatch.
Our loft hatch opens downwards but thinking about it surely it would be better to open inwards ?
because then the insulation could overlap the edges.

Definitely better if it can open inwards. Ours used to drop down from above but OH changed it when we fitted a loft ladder. The trouble now is that the hatch fits inside the hole rather than butting up to it. Outcome, condensation in the loft where hot air gets in. Temporary solution (now 3yrs!) balance rolled up sheets around the edge so that the hatch pushes up onto them and the gap is reduced. Right pain in the proverbial as the sheets tend to land on top of you when pulling down the ladder.

Not sure that my quilt idea will work for us as such but now that the idea has started, I shall be brainstorming like mad to see if I can adapt!!!

full-time-mum

moggins wrote:

Does anyone have any ideas what I can use a mountain of flat packed cardboard boxes for?

Store them somewhere and charge friends who are moving home to borrow them!:D

full-time-mum

adouglasmhor wrote:

It will ensure it uses electricity to keep the temprature up all the time, get it insulated and use it as little as poss, ours keeps water hot for almost 24 hrs on one hours leccy.

I read somewhere that it actually takes more energy to heat up the water from cold than to keep it constantly warm - don't know how true this is - any energy experts out there throw any light on this?

Also, strip lights are supposed to use more energy to turn on than to keep on so you should switch them on once and leave them on until bedtime - which always feels wrong...

full-time-mum

starlite wrote:

One thing in our house, which I can't get OH out of the habit of and really annoys me (and irritates our electricity bill too).
He'll wake up, put on the kettle, then go for a shower, put it on again, then get dressed, put it on again and forget about it whilst he watches the news , finally make a coffee, then drink half very slowly and reboil the kettle to 'top it up' with hot water as it's gone cold.etc etc.

Same happens when he comes home, he sticks on the kettele, then forgets about it.

Any tips? short of throwing it out and boiling it on the stove so he actually pays attention to it?

Get a teas maid! I've seen a few around in catalogues so they must be back in vogue!!
Oh, you said coffee - perculator then.

Lakeland used to do insulated cups - don't know if they still do - they looked a bit like cup shaped thermos.

foreverskint

https://www.energyefficiency.powergen.co.uk/advicecentre/category4/WiseAppliances.htm

Just found this, re immersion heaters, and it suggests doing what i've been told by energyline. And yes we do use a kitchen timer to remind us to turn it off:p

by the way take little notice of the prices on there, according to the site, it says prices updated 2002