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Spill the beans... on your extreme energy saving tricks

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  • I know it sounds fairly obvious but people tend to put the heating on a timer so it's on whether they are in or out.

    The time switch and overide button are close to the door in our house so I simply turn the heating off before going out.

    I suppose you could switch it off 15-30 mins before hand but I'm not that organised!
  • If you want to be a bit flash, you could install a system that monitors whether you are in the house or not and automatically sets the temp down when you're not in. Todays electronics makes this very simple.
    :whistle: All together now, "Always look on the bright side of life..." :whistle:
  • Rabbitx wrote: »
    I'm intending to try out a halogen oven. I also have solid walls, so am going to experiment with large textile hangings to provide some extra insulation. To do this on a budget may be tricky, but with the help of charity shops, free-cycle and maybe some spray paint or collage bits, this will hopefully make a difference. Any other suggestions about insulating solid walls would be welcome.


    Maybe make a rag rug to hang out of hessian (cheap) and bits of old fabric from old clothes, curtains and bed linen. Could pick this up from Freegle or Freecycle.

    These rugs are nice on the floor or as a throw on a chair, too.
  • macwah97
    macwah97 Posts: 126 Forumite
    rogerblack wrote: »
    I'm on the sofa, on top of an electric blanket, with some more blankets on top of me, toasty and warm on 30W of heating, while it's 10C in the lounge.

    I've got one 11W lamp next to me, as a 'desk' lamp.

    Using a laptop + external monitor and keyboard for the lower power usage.

    Recently installed a solar water heater from ebay, for 400 quid or so all-in, which provides useful hot water on days with more than a couple of hours sun.

    I'm ripping out the plasterboard, and sticking in actual proper insulation behind it in much of the house, but this is a slow process. To do it 'properly' - rather than half-assed as I am would cost perhaps 2K.


    Am very interested in your solar kit of ebay....can you provide a link? thanks
    Live as cheaply as possible
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  • But this is the same water you use to brush your teeth, and it's far healthier than ingesting the chemicals that constitute toothpaste; I regularly drink the tap water in my home. All loft tanks should be covered properly, insulated to reduce the risk of freezing, then the water will remain like mine: crystal clear, healthy, clean, drinking water.
    If the water you drink is from your kitchen sink's cold tap, it should certainly be as you describe it because it comes directly from the rising main, not from the loft tank. The kitchen should be the first outlet for cold water inside the house.

    The purpose of the loft tank is to feed the hot-water cylinder and, if you have one, a gravity-fed shower.
  • cookiejen wrote: »
    LauraFox - I can't understand why you should want to iron pants and socks. Why not use the residue heat in the iron to do something that needs ironing?


    something to do with killing off all bacteria as the wash doesnt completely kill them? This is what my mum always used to say, and my mother-in-law apparently agrees. For the same reason I iron my baby's clothes until he is 3months old.

    Any physics experts out there, give me any established excuse to stop ironing, I ll happily oblige with gratefulnessl!!!
  • I like to search around for the cheapest energy deal about and secure it. I also like to check the insulation deals to make sure my home is energy efficient.

    However If im cold i will turn the heating on, seeing some stories on here I am starting to think I stay in a different country.

    Am I the only one on here who has a social life and enjoys heating when I need it. AKA Central Heating ? :D.

    Live a little.
    His Heart Proved He Was A Red
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    We Bought The Lad From Amsterdam
    We Know He's Not a Chelsea Fan.
    Fernando Torres = El Judas
  • Yolina wrote: »
    I've always taken the time to put things out to dry in a a way that they don't crease.. The result is that most of my clothes don't need ironing (some still do though unfortunately) and in any case I never ironed socks and the likes :rotfl:

    Smooth, fold and stack wet clothes and leave for half an hour before carefully hanging them on the line. Removes even more creases - almost forgotten what my iron looks like :j
  • joehoover
    joehoover Posts: 146 Forumite
    100 Posts
    TimBear wrote: »
    But if you're going to be boiling it anyway I doubt you'd come to any harm?

    Personally I woudln't as have seen those Grimebuster shows and one episode they went to the hot water tank int he attic and it had drowned rats and bird faeces in it. I don't know how many houses are like this, I have no attic and flat roof so mine must work differently so worth checking first
  • joehoover
    joehoover Posts: 146 Forumite
    100 Posts
    jwt13 wrote: »
    Smooth, fold and stack wet clothes and leave for half an hour before carefully hanging them on the line. Removes even more creases - almost forgotten what my iron looks like :j

    I never iron as its so tedious but I'm not too good at folding stuf first so am forever creased, will follow these tips now though
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