Ways to cut electricity consumption?

Ilona

Hi Victor. I don't have a TV, I can watch catch up on the computer, not that there is much worth watching anyway. There is a saying about watching the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves, so true.

Being frugal is all about spending money on what is important to me, and cutting back on other non important things. My broadband is important to me, a window on the world, a library at my fingertips, a means of communication, and my blogging hobby. Yes, I could go to the public library in town and get a free half hour, but then I have to get there in all weathers. I look at my income as a whole, (pension) and decide which areas I want to spend and which I dont.

My electricity for 2010 (4 quarterly bills) was £147.36, that's 40p per day. I don't feel my comfort was sacrificed, in fact I hate places that are too hot, and I am sure I am a lot healthier for it. I don't sit around shivering, I get up and move about. Of course if there are two of you in the house you have to agree on a level of heating to suit you both.
Ilona

david1976

Thanks for your ideas, that gives me plenty to be thinking about

victor2

Ilona wrote: »

Hi Victor. I don't have a TV, I can watch catch up on the computer, not that there is much worth watching anyway. There is a saying about watching the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves, so true.

Being frugal is all about spending money on what is important to me, and cutting back on other non important things. My broadband is important to me, a window on the world, a library at my fingertips, a means of communication, and my blogging hobby. Yes, I could go to the public library in town and get a free half hour, but then I have to get there in all weathers. I look at my income as a whole, (pension) and decide which areas I want to spend and which I dont.

My electricity for 2010 (4 quarterly bills) was £147.36, that's 40p per day. I don't feel my comfort was sacrificed, in fact I hate places that are too hot, and I am sure I am a lot healthier for it. I don't sit around shivering, I get up and move about. Of course if there are two of you in the house you have to agree on a level of heating to suit you both.
Ilona

Good for you - even if it's beyond the sacrifices I would be prepared to make to save a bit. Quite understand the "look after the pennies...." approach.
Think I'd still class your saving steps as a little extreme, but good to see what can be done without going to live in the forest!

peat

You said that you are on an Amptec system, all that has been said previously is relatively trivial unless your heating system is on the correct tariff and programmed to work with the cheap tariff rates, otherwise you will find that the system will be horrendously expernsive

pencekeeper

If anyone cares (and I doubt it), I can confirm my Microwave uses 2W standby (just the clock), or 5W with the door open (even though there is no light inside). Assuming the door is shut, this works out as: 2W x 24 x 365 = 17.52 KWh per year which for me is about £1.58 I turn my microwave off at the plug when it's not in use But then I'm so sad I know the power consumption figures for my microwave from memory (I didn't check especially for this post). Obviously these things depends on your appliances and how much you pay for electricity.

victor2

Likewise, in the "I doubt if anyone cares" category, I have a mains powered LED clock that uses 2.5W. That works out for me at £1.86 per annum at my present rate. I've just ordered a battery powered LED clock (radio controlled and with a temperature display) because I liked the look of it. May well cost me as much in batteries as the existing one does in electricity, but it'll have zero mains power consumption!:)

HappyMJ

victor2 wrote: »

Likewise, in the "I doubt if anyone cares" category, I have a mains powered LED clock that uses 2.5W. That works out for me at £1.86 per annum at my present rate. I've just ordered a battery powered LED clock (radio controlled and with a temperature display) because I liked the look of it. May well cost me as much in batteries as the existing one does in electricity, but it'll have zero mains power consumption!:)

I care...:rotfl: In fact I have a battery powered digital clock it's not radio controlled though but it has a temperature display.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-LCD-Thermometer-Silver-Black/dp/B000NRTSSA/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1300200641&sr=1-6 It takes CR2032 batteries, they cost 20p each and each battery lasts at least 6 months. BTW I paid £1 from a pound shop for it... Don't pay £5.50 that amazon is asking.

victor2

HappyMJ wrote: »

I care...:rotfl: In fact I have a battery powered digital clock it's not radio controlled though but it has a temperature display.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-LCD-Thermometer-Silver-Black/dp/B000NRTSSA/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1300200641&sr=1-6 It takes CR2032 batteries, they cost 20p each and each battery lasts at least 6 months. BTW I paid £1 from a pound shop for it... Don't pay £5.50 that amazon is asking.

That's the sort of running costs (and purchase price) I like. Nice one!