Energy saving to cut bills

squeaky

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babyshoes

Another way to save a bit of water is to re-use your bathwater for flushing or watering plants - just scoop it out with a bucket. Also, try using a bit less water each time you bath. Grew up in a drought prone country, so everyone did these types of things. Dad even had a bucket next to him in the shower to catch some of the water.

In terms of keeping warm, most people just put on a jumper before they put on the heating, but if your head and toes are warm it makes a big difference. I got some proper sheepskin slippers for my birthday this year, and they are sooooo much warmer than the synthetic ones I had been using; worth an investement. You could also wear some sort of hat indoors to keep your head warm.

oldtractor

I'm a fan of hot waterbottles and going to bed early.

kittycatface

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3090130
For a free energy saving monitor, I just put in my National Insurance number (am in receipt of tax credits) and it came within 4 wks. really helps you see and then reduce how much you're using, worth about £30-£40 in the shops. Good luck, hope the offer is still working
Sorry just checked it and the offer that is still working is the British Gas one
enter code EF3
http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/house-garden-194/money-saving-budgeting-bargains-609/315522-british-gas-free-energy-saving-products.html

WelshWoofer

Kitty your post about an energy monitor reminded me that Npower were supposed to give me one when I signed up - it never materialised. Just gave them a ring and queried it and they've run out and won't get anymore but "as a gesture of goodwill" have credited my account with £20. Better than nothing I suppose considering I;d forgotten all about it!

Just another quick question - I now know how much I actually use a month according to Npower and its £39 for electric and £40 for gas.
I have no idea whether this is a lot, not bad, economical etc

I have a 3 bed 10 year old semi and there's just me and the dog. I know I should be aiming for as little as possible but don't know what's realistic. Any one got any similar bills/advice?

Thanks again for all of your help.

Bongedone

You can loan an energy monitor from the library in a lot of council areas.

Keeping lids on pans reduces the energy needed to cook and also stops you getting too much moisture in the air. The moisture in the air will be a problem if you turn off heating in some rooms as you will get mould if moisture too high.

oldtractor

Welsh woofer, know its drastic but have you thought of moving to a smaller house? We are a family of 4 and live in a 2 bed semi, bit of a squash but we manage. My friends both live in a very small 1 bed flat. Our house hold heating and utility bills are quite a lot less than my friend who lives in a 4 bed bungalow. Just an idea.

Bongedone

oldtractor wrote: »

Welsh woofer, know its drastic but have you thought of moving to a smaller house? We are a family of 4 and live in a 2 bed semi, bit of a squash but we manage. My friends both live in a very small 1 bed flat. Our house hold heating and utility bills are quite a lot less than my friend who lives in a 4 bed bungalow. Just an idea.

This advice is a good one. I live in 1 bed flat and my entire fuel bill is £35 a month DD. Electric is only fuel.

The less external walls/roof/floor the better in fuel bill terms.

WelshWoofer

oldtractor wrote: »

Welsh woofer, know its drastic but have you thought of moving to a smaller house? We are a family of 4 and live in a 2 bed semi, bit of a squash but we manage. My friends both live in a very small 1 bed flat. Our house hold heating and utility bills are quite a lot less than my friend who lives in a 4 bed bungalow. Just an idea.

Hi,
To be honest - no I hadn't. I don't really want to move, the mortgage is quite manageable and I like my house I just want to try to reduce unnecessary spending. Better in my pocket than someone else's!
Thanks for taking the time to reply though:)

20somethinghousewife

Hi :wave:I live in a 2bed end of terrace with my hubby, also about ten yrs old and my bills are all a bit less than yours.

I think you should definitley look at your hot water situation; we only put it on when we're going to have a shower and it takes 10-15mins to heat it from cold with a little left over for washing-up. When I turn it on I set a timer on my phone so I don't forget to turn it off. In the winter we tend to stay upstairs where it's a lot warmer. We've also found that it's cheaper to leave the heating on all the time and set that thermostat to about 16 so it comes back on everytime it reaches that temp. Heating the house from cold takes a lot more energy.
With electricity, it's just common sense really, turn everything off when you've finished with it! Also we don't watch TV so I guess that helps.
With water, I turn the shower off while I'm lathering up, shaving my legs etc and because I'm home on my own most days I only flush the loo every two or three times I use it as I'm always drinking loads of water . Baths are a special treat reserved for cold winter nights. Sounds a bit extreme, I know, but these things have just become a habit and I don't think about them anymore.
Good news about the £20:T
Hope some of this helps