We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Any energy saving tips?

Options
1235

Comments

  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    We bought a spin dryer a couple of years ago - it's a great help in the winter to reduce the drying time needed for clothes.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 10 October 2022 at 7:53PM
    Miser1964 said:

    Fill empty spaces in freezer with used milk bottles filled with water

    How does that save energy? It requires energy to freeze water, so taking room temperature water down to -18C takes more energy than cooling the same volume of air in the freezer. Why not put empty bottles in the freezer?

    I've seen this one debated before, the best thing is to keep your freezer reasonably full of things that need to be frozen such as food 

    It is true that a more full freezer will lose less cold air when opened than a more empty one, and therefore you can save by not having an inrush of room temperature air, but an empty bottle will do exactly the same without the cost of cooling the water in them. Cooling the same volume of water takes more energy than cooling the same volume of air.

    With modern freezers using drawers, the loss of air isn't as significant as it used to be either, even less with chest freezers as cold air goes down so there isn't as much movement.

    And what happens when you go shopping and fill the freezer and you take out the frozen water that you have paid money to freeze? And then put room temperature water back in when you've used the food to fill the space which will need more energy to freeze? All costs more energy.

    The only advantage of storing frozen water bottles in your freezer is that the freezer will stay colder for longer in the event of a power outage, but you might as well put something useful in such as ice cubes or vodka.
  • chris_n
    chris_n Posts: 633 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    The first answer should always be eliminate draughts, go round with a candle or an incense stick on a windy day and check everywhere. Stand in doorways between rooms and see which way the smoke goes, then move in the opposite direction to find the source. Check doors, windows, skirting to floor joins, electrical sockets and even light fittings. 
    Next question is how much loft insulation do you have? Top up if inadequate. 
    After that do you have double glazing?  If not you need secondary glazing, either temporary or permanent. Bubble wrap or window film depending on how concerned you are about appearance is good for the former.
    Then you need to think about humidity and how to control it, so no drying clothes indoors, make sure steam from cooking is removed either by extraction or by controlled ventilation with the doors to the rest of the house closed.
    Once you have done this then think about your thermostat,  you will probably find that the heating is fine a couple of degrees lower than normal because you have reduced cold surfaces and cold air.
    Doing this first will save far more than taking things off standby or just boiling enough water for one cup.
    Living the dream in the Austrian Alps.
  • Wash pans/dishes that take up a lot of space by hand instead of in the dishwasher. Use only a small amount of hot water for washing up when only doing a few things. See your friends and family more so you can use one TV/heat one room/cook meals for multiple people instead of individually. 
  • Heated throws are great and helps keep that thermostat at a lower temperature.
    We also used to try to bleed our radiators at the start of winter but kept forgetting until we noticed our rads (1 especially was cold at the top).  Then we found a great product to do this automatically - Aladdin Autovents now we always have radiators which are hot to the top and aren't wasting money to heat the air in them.
  • Astria
    Astria Posts: 1,448 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper

    The only advantage of storing frozen water bottles in your freezer is that the freezer will stay colder for longer in the event of a power outage, but you might as well put something useful in such as ice cubes or vodka.
    I know what someone will be doing during the next power outage :D
  • Lorian
    Lorian Posts: 6,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Close your upstairs doors to somewhat help stop warm air flowing upstairs.
    Open your curtains on South facing windows as soon as the sun is up.
    If you have to use the oven turn it off a few mins before time is up and leave food in longer.
  • ariarnia
    ariarnia Posts: 4,225 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    We had to get rid of curtains in a few rooms because they kept going mouldy :(  the front door still gets condensation on the inside, but this year we're going to see if we can put a curtain back up without it touching the door.  I even thought about putting a cheap shower curtain as a waterproof layer between them :lol: but it would be easier if we don't have to.
    bit late but we have a portiere rod that lifts the curtain out of the way when the door opens. you can get some really pricy ones but ours was about 30 quid from amazon and looks good/holds a lined blackout curtain from dunelm (got a pair of 66x90 inch in the sales and used one for the front door and one for the door from the hall to lounge) 
    Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. Anne Lamott

    It's amazing how those with a can-do attitude and willingness to 'pitch in and work' get all the luck, isn't it?

    Please consider buying some pet food and giving it to your local food bank collection or animal charity. Animals aren't to blame for the cost of living crisis.
  • ariarnia said:
    We had to get rid of curtains in a few rooms because they kept going mouldy :(  the front door still gets condensation on the inside, but this year we're going to see if we can put a curtain back up without it touching the door.  I even thought about putting a cheap shower curtain as a waterproof layer between them :lol: but it would be easier if we don't have to.
    bit late but we have a portiere rod that lifts the curtain out of the way when the door opens. you can get some really pricy ones but ours was about 30 quid from amazon and looks good/holds a lined blackout curtain from dunelm (got a pair of 66x90 inch in the sales and used one for the front door and one for the door from the hall to lounge) 
    Interesting, that's something to consider.  Thanks!
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.