How to reduce gas usage?

figgyroo

With rising energy prices, I have been looking at my gas and electric usage and would like some advice on reducing my gas usage, as it is on the high side (21595 kwh per year). Electric is fine at 2520 kwh per year, so low usage.

I am a single person living in a 1930's 3 bed semi-detached house. I have cavity walls but they cannot be filled as there is debris in the cavities. Loft is insulated up to standard. I have a combi Ferrolli boiler, fitted 4 years ago. All radiators have TVR's and there is a temp controller in the kitchen, usually set to around 20 degrees. Boiler is on a timer in winter, in summer I just turn it on as necessary. Radiators are turned off in the rooms I rarely use i.e. two of the bedrooms and the dining room. House is fully double glazed.

Any advice would be gratefully received, thanks!

HappyMJ

Do you work? If you didn't and were home all day I'd say that is quite reasonable usage. Turn the heating down whenever you go out or go to bed.

savemoney

Besides turning the heating down only other thing is to suggest assuming you haven't done so is draft proof. thick curtains, line the internal outside walls with sematap (not cheap)

I am in same situation I can even get grants but have solid walls so no help there

You usage is similar to mine

2010 Gas 19,385 kWh
2010 Elec 5,243 kWh

My boiler is a piece of work crap and around 6-7 years old

I do use a log burner sometimes

greyteam1959

Probably can't do much about your summer gas usage.
This is how I keep my gas bills to a minimum...........
I have my gas central heating set to turn off at 9.30 pm & come on again at 6.00 am.
As we both work & the house is empty all day it is set to run from 6.00 am until 7.00 am the turn off again until 4.00 pm for us coming home from work at 4.30 pm it then runs until 9.30 pm.
HTH

figgyroo

HappyMJ wrote: »

Do you work? If you didn't and were home all day I'd say that is quite reasonable usage. Turn the heating down whenever you go out or go to bed.

Yes I work full time. In Winter, heating is set to come on at 7am and go off at 8am, then on again at 4pm till 9pm. I sometimes turn it back on after 9pm if I'm still up and it is particularly cold. In Summer I only put the heating on as necessary, so maybe just for an hour or two in the evening or at weekends if it is a bit chilly.

Yorkie1

The only other thing I can think of, which is not straightforward or cheap, is whether you have floorboards or carpets? My house is like yours and loses heat through the gaps in the floorboards. I could take up the boards and insulate underneath but can't quite face it at present.

figgyroo

Yorkie1 wrote: »

The only other thing I can think of, which is not straightforward or cheap, is whether you have floorboards or carpets? My house is like yours and loses heat through the gaps in the floorboards. I could take up the boards and insulate underneath but can't quite face it at present.

My house is carpeted throughout, except for the dining room (floorboards), kitchen (wood) and bathroom (tiles).