Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

Drummergirl_2

Bizzimum wrote:

See my post 2 up. It has made quite a difference to our bill. Apparently one boil of the kettle is equivalent to leaving all your lights on all evening (or something like that!).

Thanks for the speedy reply.

Golly, that's a heap of electricity to be saved. I know what you mean about re-boiling, I sit back down to watch telly, forget about the kettle and ... well maybe several attempts later...
I also thought I might get a tea-pot (I'm a bag in a cup girl - sorry), that way I can have a few cups in a row - (yes I like my tea!) without re-boiling. I'd probably go through less tea-bags too.:A

Dobie

Punkygoth wrote:

This is the fisrt time i have used the forum, so I hope I am doing it right!
We have a very old Immersion Water heater that eats electricity and does not keep the water hot for long, despite being insulated. We are stuck with it as we live in a rented flat, and the landlord has no plans to get rid of it. Any ideas to make it less electricity hungry would be helpful! This is our only way of getting hot water.

Hi Punkygoth
Of course you're doing it right - good to have you here.
I suggest contacting your electricity supplier & asking them about their Economy 7 tariff. It means a change of meter but I can't see why your landlord would object because it doesn't cost anything & just connects to the existing wiring so there's no mess. You can then switch on your immersion heater between 1am & 8am for about half the cost. It might also be worth buying another jacket for the tank or even just tying spare blankets, duvets - anything really - around it. Anything that'll help to keep the heat in.

Dobie

I forgot to say;
All energy suppliers will have an energy efficiency team who are specially trained to give you advice on how to cut down on your bills(it's a condition of their licence). The number will probably be on the back of your bill, if not just give them a call on their normal number & they should be able to arrange a call back.
They'll have a load of literature they can send you & will know what grants are available & how to use your appliances most economically. They're well worth a call.

rls1973

flourgirl wrote:

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

think i've seen them in lakeland before.failing that, probably ebay.

full-time-mum

rls1973 wrote:

think i've seen them in lakeland before.failing that, probably ebay.

Noticed that wilkinson do one of those metal petal type over-saucepan steamers - think it was £3 or £4 which seems good value. If you have a divided saucepan and a steamer, you'd be conserving even more heat.

Have you tried John Lewis or Debenhams and the like?

Aril

If your carpet is lightly soiled use a dustpan and brush or carpet sweeper rather than getting the vacuum cleaner out every time.
Aril

full-time-mum

Just found another saving by accident!

Decided to make a PE bag out of a cheap hand towel. Sewing machine won't work so have had to resort to a very old hand powered machine that I inherited from my MinL - voila - no electric costs!

Strangely enough, it sews a lot better than its more modern, electric counterpart!

nicki_2

full-time-mum wrote:

Just found another saving by accident!

Decided to make a PE bag out of a cheap hand towel. Sewing machine won't work so have had to resort to a very old hand powered machine that I inherited from my MinL - voila - no electric costs!

Strangely enough, it sews a lot better than its more modern, electric counterpart!

Now you see I would have ended up sewing it up by hand anyway as my sewing machine is currently buried at the back of the understairs cupboard :rolleyes:

This morning I dug out the hats, scarfs, gloves and hot water bottles. My plan is to get them nice and fresh/clean before we all need them

moggins

Thanks for the reminder nicki, I need to go to Wilkinsons to get new hot water bottles this afternoon.

eilz

JuliaH wrote:

Dont' let the bathwater out until it has gone cold. You are literally throwing energy down the drain. Leave the bathroom door open for the warmth to circulate, you can rinse the bath out just as well when the water is cold as you can when it is hot.

We have very old gas boiler, which takes almost an hour for water to heat up. Once we have our baths in the morning, instead of the reamaining hot water going cold can I store it in some kind of heat flast.(thermos) and use it for an evening bath. Or is there an immersion tank which keeps the water warmer for longer? (or another diy option?, something which requires the least effort ideally)