How to live without heating - save £000s

Ally_E.

PennyForThem_2 said:

I don't go to Hertslad extremes but I totally sympathise with where he is coming from.  Last winter my thermostat was set at 14-16 and radiators in unused rooms turned off. 

I am a pensioner and also a baby boomer.  The latter actually makes me more resiliant because I have lived in non-CH houses and yes, wool vests, open fires, parafin heaters were part of my childhood.  But I also know about the warmth of layers.

As a child we were sent flannel lined jeans by an uncle from Canada - wow, were they warm!  Easy, so easy to replicate - buy cheap pyjamas from any supermarket and wear under joggers or loose trousers.  The layers trap air and your body heat warms that up.

I cannot understand the 'I must have my house at 21-22 C or I will freeze'  -  sorry but no sympathy from me for this attitude.  And definitely no sympathy if you are moaning you cannot afford energy bills.

Exception:  there are people who have medical conditions which need high usage of electricity and/or minimal temperature and I totally think that there should be a national UK database of these users who should get 'social heating'.

Before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism I used to wear 3-4 layers with fleece lined tights and very thick joggers like you described, plus vest, long sleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt and a thick blanket on top. Set the temp to 23C and I was still freezing. A little bit of compassion will go a long way, not everyone is doing it because they can't be bothered to put a jumper on. I now put it to 18C and don't wear as many layers for daytime and it's around 12C for the night. The only difference is I'm  being treated for this condition. 

Swipe

How is it possible living in a house to go a whole year using less than 10KWh? 

PennyForThem_2

Ally_E. said:

PennyForThem_2 said:

I don't go to Hertslad extremes but I totally sympathise with where he is coming from.  Last winter my thermostat was set at 14-16 and radiators in unused rooms turned off. 

I am a pensioner and also a baby boomer.  The latter actually makes me more resiliant because I have lived in non-CH houses and yes, wool vests, open fires, parafin heaters were part of my childhood.  But I also know about the warmth of layers.

As a child we were sent flannel lined jeans by an uncle from Canada - wow, were they warm!  Easy, so easy to replicate - buy cheap pyjamas from any supermarket and wear under joggers or loose trousers.  The layers trap air and your body heat warms that up.

I cannot understand the 'I must have my house at 21-22 C or I will freeze'  -  sorry but no sympathy from me for this attitude.  And definitely no sympathy if you are moaning you cannot afford energy bills.

Exception:  there are people who have medical conditions which need high usage of electricity and/or minimal temperature and I totally think that there should be a national UK database of these users who should get 'social heating'.

Before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism I used to wear 3-4 layers with fleece lined tights and very thick joggers like you described, plus vest, long sleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt and a thick blanket on top. Set the temp to 23C and I was still freezing. A little bit of compassion will go a long way, not everyone is doing it because they can't be bothered to put a jumper on. I now put it to 18C and don't wear as many layers for daytime and it's around 12C for the night. The only difference is I'm  being treated for this condition. 

I said:
Exception:  there are people who have medical conditions which need high usage of electricity and/or minimal temperature and I totally think that there should be a national UK database of these users who should get 'social heating'.

 You obviously did not read my post fully.

QrizB

Swipe said:

How is it possible living in a house to go a whole year using less than 10KWh? 

You should read HertsLad's other threads. He's a hard-core money saver.

Sea_Shell

Swipe said:

How is it possible living in a house to go a whole year using less than 10KWh? 

Isn't that just the gas?!?

Swipe

Sea_Shell said:

Swipe said:

How is it possible living in a house to go a whole year using less than 10KWh? 

Isn't that just the gas?!?

Ah yes, that makes sense. I thought he meant both.

Jyana

HertsLad said:

Here is a photo I took a few weeks ago in a branch of Sports Direct. I first started buying these base layers c2011 when I think they were about £4 each. Before long they went up to £6 each (as in 2 for £12) but this year they have increased again to £7 each. Still good value, compared to the inflated prices one can pay for alternative base layers in many other shops. I swear by them and always wear two pairs, one over the top of the other. So that's two long sleeved tops and two long legged bottoms.

Thanks for the Sports Direct tip. Just been on their website to see what they offer on there and they appear to do daily sales of quite a lot of stuff. Managed to pick up three base layer bottoms & two tops, a further mid level top, a pair of jogging bottoms, and zip up fleece very cheaply. £26 with shipping, so less than £4 each. Absolute bargain! 

HertsLad

Sea_Shell said:

Swipe said:

How is it possible living in a house to go a whole year using less than 10KWh? 

Isn't that just the gas?!?

The 10kwh figure is what EON mentioned as near to zero use. I will not use any mains electricity or gas whatsoever so my consumption will be zero for both. Electric power will come wholly from 6 solar PV panels and potentially from a petrol fueled generator in a dire emergency. Gas for my cooker will be LPG from a cylinder.  My energy cost about a year ago was £350 per annum. After the first price increase in Spring 2022, it went up to £550. From October 2023 it would be £850. But by taking special measures, I forecast it will actually be £800 lower at only £50 per year for my house whilst they say the equivalent average for UK homes will be £3500 per annnum from October.

HertsLad

drphila said:

Hi HertsLad.

Despite disparaging remarks from some others, I, personally, am finding this thread incredibly useful. Thanks.

I have a question regarding base layers.On several occasions, you mention 100% polyester. Many brands I come across mention 95% polyester (and the rest elastane) or even 99% polyester (and the rest elastane).The Nevica brand from Sports Direct,for example.

So how important is the 100% figure?

The 100% figure is only nominal. Some of my base layers include up to 5% elastane and I don't think it reduces the insulation quality. The most important thing is to wear two pairs, one over the top of the other. 90% of my base layers are Campri from Sports Direct. Others came from Decathlon, Aldi and Lidl whenever I see them on special offer at very low prices.

SuperHung

HertsLad said:

Sea_Shell said:

Swipe said:

How is it possible living in a house to go a whole year using less than 10KWh? 

Isn't that just the gas?!?

The 10kwh figure is what EON mentioned as near to zero use. I will not use any mains electricity or gas whatsoever so my consumption will be zero for both. Electric power will come wholly from 6 solar PV panels and potentially from a petrol fueled generator in a dire emergency. Gas for my cooker will be LPG from a cylinder.  My energy cost about a year ago was £350 per annum. After the first price increase in Spring 2022, it went up to £550. From October 2023 it would be £850. But by taking special measures, I forecast it will actually be £800 lower at only £50 per year for my house whilst they say the equivalent average for UK homes will be £3500 per annnum from October.

No discounts? There was a £150 hand out and £400 incoming Oct.