We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 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!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Public service announcement idea.
YoungBlueEyes
Posts: 5,123 Forumite
in Energy
This is a recurring half-thought rather than a fully formed idea, and I would welcome opinions.
Remember the broadcasts we used to get - drink driving/wearing your seatbelt/kids crossing the road etc etc. Would something in a similar vein be a good idea now to help calm folks down about the energy crisis? The media and it's hyperbole are, at best, not helping the situation, and at worst, freaking people out unneccesarily.
Some of the things I've learned since starting to read the energy board seem very basic to a lot of people on here but were new to me. Specifically the temps at which to have your boiler and how to ensure it runs efficiently, balancing radiators, the energy monitor plugs, what a power suck Sky systems can be. How to properly work out your own usage (and therefore bills + DD). What a KWh is, and what it actually means for you - ie having the heating on at this temp for this long or boiling the kettle this many times. Turning your heating down by 1 degree will reduce your bill by 10%. Cubic meters/cubic feet. I appreciate that it can't be exact, a certain amount of generalisation would be needed to make sure it encompasses the largest number of households, but surely a round figure would be better than nothing? I'm sick of reading how people claim they're literally scared to death to turn on their lights, it's nonsense like that that's enflaming the situation.
As Martin Lewis is now a well known face re financial matters, could he put together a video for broadcast in the tv adverts/on social media calmly outlining a few of the factual ways people can actively help themselves. A calm hand on the tiller is what's needed now I think.
Remember the broadcasts we used to get - drink driving/wearing your seatbelt/kids crossing the road etc etc. Would something in a similar vein be a good idea now to help calm folks down about the energy crisis? The media and it's hyperbole are, at best, not helping the situation, and at worst, freaking people out unneccesarily.
Some of the things I've learned since starting to read the energy board seem very basic to a lot of people on here but were new to me. Specifically the temps at which to have your boiler and how to ensure it runs efficiently, balancing radiators, the energy monitor plugs, what a power suck Sky systems can be. How to properly work out your own usage (and therefore bills + DD). What a KWh is, and what it actually means for you - ie having the heating on at this temp for this long or boiling the kettle this many times. Turning your heating down by 1 degree will reduce your bill by 10%. Cubic meters/cubic feet. I appreciate that it can't be exact, a certain amount of generalisation would be needed to make sure it encompasses the largest number of households, but surely a round figure would be better than nothing? I'm sick of reading how people claim they're literally scared to death to turn on their lights, it's nonsense like that that's enflaming the situation.
As Martin Lewis is now a well known face re financial matters, could he put together a video for broadcast in the tv adverts/on social media calmly outlining a few of the factual ways people can actively help themselves. A calm hand on the tiller is what's needed now I think.
Honesty is the best poverty.
5
Comments
-
Don't disagree, other than that Martin is anything but a calm hand on the tiller. IMHO of course.1
-
Aye he is getting fond of the hyperbole, but at least his face is associated with the topic, so people might listen to him if he could calm himself down.
Who else might fit the bill?Honesty is the best poverty.1 -
I am not a cat (But my friend is)2
-
There is a generation that do not watch regular TV, listen to radio, they stream and pay for no adverts.
Not sure what medium is best now.2 -
Personally I'm of the belief that the group of people who stand to gain the most from a suite of energy saving "tips" are the least likely to actually watch such a broadcast !4
-
Good point Mstty. I spose that rules out newspaper ads too then really.It did occur to me after I posted that this idea might already be on the go, I’m not on social media and watch very little TV.Putting something out on his own Tiktok/twitter accounts would perhaps work? Or do an actual tv prog? Maybe a 15 min one?
Edit - there must be a way to get the sort of helpful knowledge that’s on here out to the masses. That’s what I’m trying to bridge I guess.Honesty is the best poverty.0 -
Shame it's too late for Her Majesty to make a broadcast showing how to live more frugally!

0 -
Some good ideas, why not start in your local parish/village/neighbourhood.0
-
Too small jj_43, I was trying to think of a way for everyone to gain the knowledge to help themselves now.
How about a little film with a voice over? Marcus Rashford, or a pop star/reality star/sleb? I've always like Stephen Mangan's voice, David Attenborough! lol
Someone familiar and trusted.Honesty is the best poverty.0 -
Errrm... Sorry, but who ?YoungBlueEyes said: As Martin Lewis is now a well known face re financial matters,
Any language construct that forces such insanity in this case should be abandoned without regrets. –
Erik Aronesty, 2014
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.3
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 353.8K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.2K Spending & Discounts
- 246.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 603.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.2K Life & Family
- 260.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards
