Ways to keep the utility bills down when home all day?

juicygirl

Hi all,

I recently started my maternity leave ( baby due in 3 weeks) and already I'm really aware of how much more gas / electric i am using. Weather is rubbish so the heating goes on, kettle and applances being used for more food prep and cuppas, tv on, more baths for comfort....

Now once baby comes I obviously have to make sure the house is at suitable temp but until then any suggestions or keeping the bills down?

So far I am:

- trying to occupy my time with books and cleaning so tv not on constantly
- keeping heating off as much as poss...but it's soooo cold just now!
- wrapping up

Any other sneaky tips from those of you at home during day??

Thanks!

P.s. at least my petrol consumption is down!!

Scragglewort

I'm a stay at home Mum and once the kids and Hubby are out to school and work in the mornings all the radiators get turned off except for the room I'm actually using.

I find it's easier to save on heating when there's only me as when everyone is home they are all spread out over various rooms in the house so almost every radiators on.

Even on cold days I don't feel the need for heating on if I'm doing housework but if I'm sitting watching tv or on the laptop I use a fleece blanket.

Could you use the time before the baby arrives to hunt out food bargains online and cook up some homemade dinners that you could freeze? Saving money over all and having pre cooked meals just needing defrosted and heated up is a god send with a new baby.

Taadaa

I am pregnant but have been off sick. I've noticed that I left the tv on even when I was on the laptop, so have stopped that. I have resolved to only put the heating on when I have put an extra layer on and my nose is still cold. I also use a blanket when I am sitting down. I have been clearing some stuff out that we don't need to make room, that keeps me warm, along with doing a bit of sewing - nothing too strenuous but it does help. I have a look on the internet for deals as well, but we have got quite a few things to get still. Freezing meals now sounds like a great idea.

Penny-Pincher!!

Boil the kettle and fill a flask in the morning for hot drinks
Low energy bulbs
Freezer saver plug
Wear layers of clothes and same for baby
Foil behind rads to retain heat
Make sure windows are draught proof
Buy a slow cooker
Breastfeed
Soak bibs and baby grows in Milton to save putting on a boil wash

PP
xx

building_with_lego

Get a thermos flask and fill it from the first boiled kettle (or two) of the day. The water will stay hot enough all day, saving a lot of boiling. I've even used the water the following morning for coffee and it was just about an acceptable temperature.

building_with_lego

Dagnamit, Penny got there first!

fuddle

It's a difficult one. My heating bills are quite high in the winter mainly because the children are at home. Come September and they're in school I won't be turning the heating on till 3pm but when you have little ones it breaks your heart to do that.

What I do is make a flask of tea once a day so I can have a hot drink whenever I like without putting the kettle on each time. Might just save a bit.

Also, meals in the slow cooker is economical and a heat source for if your hands get too cold. I find if my hands are warm, the rest of me isn't too far behind.

Hotwater bottles and blankets for snuggle times reading books together or watching TV or those heat pads you warm up in the radiator.

Trips to the library/toddler groups/sure start - always heated and will save a couple of hours heating a day.

edit - lolyou both got there before me

juicygirl

Thanks for those tips!

Why didn't I think of filling a flask???!!!

The batch cooking has begun already but will have to think of a few more dishes to freeze too.

Xxx

HappyMJ

Turn the heating down. Get a thermometer and get the room temperature to 18. The ideal room temperature recommended by the NHS for babies is somewhere between 16 and 20. 18 is rather chilly for some but it is easier for a baby to heat up a little rather than to try and cool down.

Pooky

Remember that babies were around long before central heating. Dress the baby for the weather/temperature rather than making the house stuffy and overly warm. I didn't have central heating at home when I was growing up and didn't have it until my youngest DD was 3. Layers!

Fill your oven up when you're cooking, double up on meals or make a pud/cake - if the ovens on you might as well utilise every bit of it. If its safe to do so (no other small kids/pets) then leave the oven door open when you're done to warm the room.

Make sure the washing machine is always fully loaded and if you can get away with it do it on a cooler, quicker cycle.

Slowcookers are fab for loading up in the morning at nap time and leaving until the evening without to much effort - added benefit of giving out heat too.

Energy saving bulbs in the areas they'll be on longest (I dont have energy ones in the halls/stairs as they tend to need a while to get to full brightness and I want to see clearly up and down the stairs)

As for petrol consumption - consider shopping online for groceries, saves trying to shop around feed/nap times and generally saves money as you stick to a list.

craigywv

penny-pincher!! wrote: »

boil the kettle and fill a flask in the morning for hot drinks
low energy bulbs
freezer saver plug
wear layers of clothes and same for baby
foil behind rads to retain heat
make sure windows are draught proof
buy a slow cooker
breastfeed
soak bibs and baby grows in milton to save putting on a boil wash

pp
xx

excuse my dumbness but whats a freezer saver plug?:)