Tips for moving to Economy 7

Naf

Hi, I'm posting a similar thread on the money saving at home board, figuring there may be some tips to be had there too.
My story is that I'm moving into a new home, and because it has storage heating I'll be on an Economy 7 tariff; but general saving tips are useful too.
I have some of the obvious covered: timers for the washing machine and dryer, whirly-gig in the garden, I already make a habit of changing all my bulbs for energy saving ones. That should move a fair lump of usage into the night rate, but I'm still concerned about the hob, oven, microwave, kettle and other kitchen appliances.

Does anyone have any tips on how to save electricity on these others, move the usage onto the night-rate, or point to reasons not to worry about them?
I have had suggestions made that a small halogen oven is cheaper to run, that the microwave is relatively cheap. I know My in-laws have a small worktop oven that they use in preference to the full one. Obviously not boiling too much water when I do need to use it will save, as will setting the slow cooker to cook things overnight (can I do porridge like that, does anyone know?).
Any other ideas?

Having looked, I get the picture that one of Scottish Power's online tariffs will be he cheapest for me; but I can't find anywhere that actually quotes various providers rates as opposed to asking me my usage (which I clearly don't have a clue about yet). Does anyone know where I can find:
1. The actual per unit costs for a selection of the best tariffs
2. A way to estimate my likely usage in the new place?

Thanks very much :beer:

[Deleted User]

Hi,if you have one of the non digital type older meters with a mechanical timer to control the day and night switchings, there is an excellent chance that the timer will be set at the incorrect time. Its worth checking that so you are not wasting your time and money waiting for the cheap night rate

Naf

When I went for the viewing, the person from the agency was in a rush so I didn't really get a chance to properly look in detail: but it did look like a digital one.

gyromain

Our digital E7 timer is approx 45 minutes slow. Cheap electricity until 08:15 in the winter and 09:15 in the summer. Extra time in the mornings to cook breakfast, hot drinks, use toaster, tumble dryer, washing machine, immersion heater and lighting (in winter).

Cardew

Many washing machines can't be used on a timer as they cannot be left switched on - ie they don't have a mechanical on/off switch. Can apply to other appliances as well.

There is a temptation to put appliances like, say, a dishwasher on overnight when they are not full - a false economy!

Naf

Cardew wrote: »

Many washing machines can't be used on a timer as they cannot be left switched on - ie they don't have a mechanical on/off switch. Can apply to other appliances as well.

Good advice, thanks. My dishwasher does have this problem, I had already noticed. I believe the washing machine has built in timer - it looked like it...

Cardew wrote: »

There is a temptation to put appliances like, say, a dishwasher on overnight when they are not full - a false economy!

by the time we get to loading it, outer dishwasher is always full, usually 2 loads :shhh: lol

malc_b

Cardew wrote: »

Many washing machines can't be used on a timer as they cannot be left switched on - ie they don't have a mechanical on/off switch. Can apply to other appliances as well.

Actually the assumption that you need a mechanical timer and real on/off switch is not true. I think most continue on from where they stopped after a power failure. So you just press the start button then immediately turn the plug in timer for E7 off. When that switches on in the early hours the washing machine or dishwasher restarts and carries on.

Logical when you think about it as you wouldn't want the washing machine or dishwasher just to stop, or end the cycle just because of glitch in the power.

Both my washing machine and dishwasher do this and both have push button start. If in doubt though ask the manufacturer what the item does after a power cut.

Cardew

malc_b wrote: »

Actually the assumption that you need a mechanical timer and real on/off switch is not true. I think most continue on from where they stopped after a power failure. So you just press the start button then immediately turn the plug in timer for E7 off. When that switches on in the early hours the washing machine or dishwasher restarts and carries on.

Logical when you think about it as you wouldn't want the washing machine or dishwasher just to stop, or end the cycle just because of glitch in the power.

Both my washing machine and dishwasher do this and both have push button start. If in doubt though ask the manufacturer what the item does after a power cut.

Excellent! The power of lateral thinking!

Just tried it with Bosch dryer and washing machine and it does exactly as you say.

The problem with those two appliances in my case is that they are plugged in behind the appliance and to get at a timer(plugged into the socket) the machines have to be dragged forward. I suspect many other people will have the same problem.

Naf

One way around that would be to set the timer to turn on for 15 minutes (or a different small time window) at a specific time. Remembering the time it turns off would mean you could press start just a minute before and achieve the same result. Just need to hope that the timer you can't see keeps the same time as your other watches/clocks.

Does using a small counter-top mini oven save much energy vs. using the built in oven?

Talldave

The costs of your heating will dwarf the cooking costs. So if you're looking for the biggest savings, look to reduce the heating costs with improved insulation and tweaking the settings a little lower.