Energy saving tips

k_man

I don't think I have ever had to iron line dried clothes, the movement while drying smoothes out creases.

That said I rarely need to iron rack dried clothes either.

So not necessarily a saving for everyone.

masonic

k_man said:

I don't think I have ever had to iron line dried clothes, the movement while drying smoothes out creases.

That said I rarely need to iron rack dried clothes either.

So not necessarily a saving for everyone.

An iron would typically use about half the power of a tumble dryer, and someone would typically be able to iron a load of line dried clothes in less time than a tumble dryer would take to get them dry, so it's going to be a saving for relatively few. A plug in power meter is valuable to measure and compare actual consumption.

Personally I find line drying is the best way of getting the creases out.

Mstty

It seems to me one of the biggest guzzlers of electricity is the electric shower.

The problem with having a quick shower on and off between lathering with these temperature temperamental beasties is you never know once lathered up whether it's going to take you to the arctic or the sun. I am not sure the "Navy/Caravan" shower method works.

You just have to be as quick as you can.

TheBanker

When I was in the Scouts, we used to cook baked beans and soup over a candle. 

If things get bad, it's an option!

Mstty

This is the sort of misinformation that people will buy into that candles are cheaper than their gas hob. They aren't. 

TheBanker

Mstty said:

This is the sort of misinformation that people will buy into that candles are cheaper than their gas hob. They aren't. 

They are if you already have the candles. But it wasn't a serious recommendation. I'd do it if we had supply interruptions, but not to try to save money. I used to live in an area without mains gas, so we had to be resourceful during power cuts.

Mstty

Same here no mains gas just electric. But we do have the multi fuel burner for heat and solar lanterns to bring in from outside if needed.

Soup in the cast iron pot and tea in the cast iron teapot on the stove.

Backup gas cannister camping stove as well for a quick cuppa.

It's actually a nice experience so I don't mind blackouts if that's the way it all pans out, although I don't expect it.

Novice_investor101

Mstty said:

It seems to me one of the biggest guzzlers of electricity is the electric shower.

The problem with having a quick shower on and off between lathering with these temperature temperamental beasties is you never know once lathered up whether it's going to take you to the arctic or the sun. I am not sure the "Navy/Caravan" shower method works.

You just have to be as quick as you can.

My electric shower uses 1kWh for about a 5 min run according to the smart meter. I don’t turn it off whilst in there. So 52p a shower. I’m considering showering every other day when winter comes, instead of daily as I do now. A quick strip wash from the sink will do those days. That’ll save about £7.50 a month. In summer I’ll be back to daily showers but no heating will be on so bills will be less anyway. 

wrf12345

Done a little bit of experimenting. Turning off the ancient fridge (separate freezer) saved 0.4kw a day, in quite warm weather, about 20 percent full. Watching the TV on my 17 inch chromebook rather than 40 inch TV for 4-5 hours saved 0.3kw (more if connected to Hi-Fi system but already stopped that) but used 5GB data, so would have to increase my 60gb a month for a tenner. I do have a 24 inch TV but it would only save 10W/hour. I only do one cooked meal a day (grilled for 15 minutes, not sure what that costs as the oven is hardwired and can't measure on the power meter). Turning off the fridge is a minor inconvenience but losing the brilliant pic on my TV would lower my quality of life but only by a small amount so possibly watch less TV is the answer, Not worried until March when my fixed deal ends but if elect is 60-70p a unit by then,,, I am already a low user 1.2-2kw a day. If there is any more free money from the govn it will be going on solar panels rather than into the energy companies pockets, just a small system, off grid and running its own circuit - eBay and aliexpress your friend for DIY'ers.

wrf12345

"My electric shower uses 1kWh for about a 5 min run according to the smart meter. I don’t turn it off whilst in there. So 52p a shower. I’m considering showering every other day when winter comes, instead of daily as I do now. A quick strip wash from the sink will do those days. That’ll save about £7.50 a month. In summer I’ll be back to daily showers but no heating will be on so bills will be less anyway. "

Wet your hair and shampoo before showering, quick blast of water to clear the shampoo and wet body and soap, turn off, soap up and then a slightly longer blast to clear off the water. That would cut the cost by a fifth to two fifths. Also consider having a cold blast of water, then soap and then a warm blast of water. Ultimately, you do not need hot water to shower at all, cold is better for your body and hair (some shampoo needs hot water) and mind, Experiment to see what you can tolerate and work up to. An ice cold shower in the middle of winter seems insane but the body reacts by sending blood to the skin and you actually feel warm afterwards. I have been doing cold showers for years and feel a mild state of euphoria after the shower and am not reduced to a shivering wreck as might be expected (I am 65 BTW). If nothing else it gives the finger to the energy companies.