Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

pennineman

Major way of saving on heating costs whether gas or electric is to get your loft insulated with the recommended depth - it really does make a difference. Since doing this last winter we have been able to turn the rads off in the two large upstairs rooms. Not needed now - well until its gets really cold.

Curtains closed does make a difference also.

Turning lights off when not needed.

EagerLearner

As a result of this board we are now:

- Boiling water in kettle first, then placing it in a pan on the hob
- Saving any boiled water from kettle in the thermos for extra cup of coffee later
- Mainly keeping the living room warm
- Opening the oven door after we have used it to heat the kitchen, and if any wet clothes are around we place them in front of the open oven door
- Keeping the bedroom window open a tiny bit whilst we are at work to avoid condensation
- Using nightlights for now in living room rather than turning heat on - lovely and cosy, with a bonus romantic effect.

mirry

Trying to think of all the things Ive picked up because of this thread ???
here goes..........

Lined the back of the raidiators with foil.
fitted thick thermal curtains.
when cooking noodles or pasta, i just boil a kettle, pour into a pan and leave noodles to cook (without gas on).
When doing a roast instead of par boiling the potatoes I just cut them smaller and put in the oven with the chicken.
Have our old sleeping bags hidden down the back of the sofa for cold evenings.
Have showers before it gets dark.
put energy saving lightbulbs in lamps instead of having the main light on.
Cook alot of meals in the slow cooker or steamer.
Purchase thermals for the whole family.
Buy cheap hot water bottles from the £1 shop.
filled all cracks around window frames.
carpeted the bathroom with an old remanant.
lined windows with see thru plastic.
insulated the loft and loft HATCH.
stopped using the tumble dryer all together and dry clothes on clothes airer.
Hand wash clothes by hand then put in the washing machine for final rinse and spin.
Washing up dishes in the sink instead of the dishwasher with COLD water.
Stopped taking baths and use the over head shower attatchment.
phoned British gas to complain about the £120 they wanted for gas and electric and got it reduced to £75.
Knitted scarfs and made gloves out of thermal socks.
stopped using the hair dryer (stick some rollers in instead and leave).
Use a wind up torch to walk about the house without putting lights on.

When the central heating does finally go on, I will place glass bottles on top of the raidiator filled with water - to get free hot water and dry my clothes around it.

Thank you to everyone who helped me x

givememoney

mirry wrote:

Trying to think of all the things Ive picked up because of this thread ???
here goes..........

when cooking noodles or pasta, i just boil a kettle, pour into a pan and leave noodles to cook (without gas on).

Cook alot of meals in the slow cooker or steamer.

Washing up dishes in the sink instead of the dishwasher with COLD water.

Thank you to everyone who helped me x

I didn't know about the pasta thing I will do that, I am always eating pasta, how long does it take to cook...the same as on the stove about 10 mins for dried stuff?

Are slow cookers economical? I haven't got one I use the oven for caseroles.

I heard that using the dishwasher is more economical as you don't keep doing bits of washing up all day, you just do the one lot.

mirry

pasta takes 15 - 20 mins sitting in the boiled water.
slow cookers are really cheap to run compared to gas ovens.
Dishwashers need electric to run it, gas to provide the hot water and a tablet. I use a bowl of cold water with a squirt of washing up liquid and it sits there nearly all day to use so i presumed it must be cheaper ?

The post man has just given me my parcel of thermals !!!
they are lovely, I have black thermal vests and panties and the kids have the white thermals, 10/10 and super fast delivery.

HappyShopper3

Mirry, thanks for your helpful posts. I use cold water to wash up with aswell! Does a good job too. Except, I put one squirt of washing up liquid on a sponge and then wash the plates etc, rinse off in cold running water. I don't bother with a bowl.

I was interested to hear you can cook pasta in just boiling water and left to stand. Is it properly heated through and do you need to pre-soak the pasta in cold water first? I love pasta and if I can do it this way I will.

I'm glad you mentioned thermals as I was going to start a thread about it. You saved me the bother LOL. What is the difference between thermals and say just wearing several layers of 'ordinary' clothes? I'd be keen to know if it's worth me buying some and where you got yours from Mirry. Thanks.

Ken68

Nylon inner socks, for slidability, HD walking socks on top, ankle type insulated slippers, thermal vest, polo shirt, heavy cardigan, fleece jacket, thick trousers, and a hat. That's just for indoors. Plus Long Johns for when it gets really cold.

SusanCarter

mirry wrote:

Have showers before it gets dark.

How does this save money?

broomstick27

pennineman wrote:

Major way of saving on heating costs whether gas or electric is to get your loft insulated with the recommended depth - it really does make a difference. Since doing this last winter we have been able to turn the rads off in the two large upstairs rooms. Not needed now - well until its gets really cold.

Does having your loft absolutely jam packed with boxes and grown out of clothes and toys count as insulation? :rotfl:
Seriously if we got loft insulated to recommended depth (30cm i believe) what would we do with all that stuff :eek:

mirry

i got the thermals from https://www.thermalsdirect.com , they are lovely and soft and only £3 delivery.

i have showers before it gets dark because when it gets dark it gets colder.

Ken, the ladys long johns are called "long janes" lol.

broomstick, how about a big car boot sale ? that will fund your heating bills ?

As for the pasta it will need stiring to help it soften, i suppose you could pre soak it in cold water ? good idea ! Im off to try it now lol.