Winter is coming - are people ready?

xzibit

We’re going overseas for 2 months (Dec/Jan). So bills should be nice and low this winter. 

MultiFuelBurner

xzibit said:

We’re going overseas for 2 months (Dec/Jan). So bills should be nice and low this winter. 

If you have a tank in the loft drain it down?

xzibit

No tank in loft. Heating will be left on frost protection so if it’s really cold I doubt the bills will be that low as it will be kicking in and out. 

Nebulous2

We were on a 2 year fix, which inconveniently runs out in mid-October, so as well as the government support our rates will double this year.  

We live in a listed building, which means we aren't allowed double-glazing, and insulation is limited. 

On the plus side we have £500 in credit with our supplier and in the last year we've reduced our gas usage from 18,000 KWh to 15,000 and our electricity usage from 3600 to under 3000. 

I don't know how soon it is going to happen, but we currently use an electric shower, and we are going to remove it and switch to one heated by our combi boiler. 

Robin9

@annabanana82  

What do you estimate your annual consumption will be ? (in kWh not £)

mumf

What an interesting topic. We are all electric,along with solid fuel - and that is most important. Electric averages £160 per month during Winter.On top of that is a grand in savings specifically put by to pay any extra this Winter. Firewood,no problem. We have enough stacked for the next two Winters.It costs nothing . Smokeless fuel we keep stocked well. We never let solid fuel go short. A thousand spent over a year. We can stay warm even if there are shortages! 

  Our electricity use is quite liberal; if we need a tumble drier,it gets used. Mind you,we are very aware of our use and do switch stuff routinely. 

strawb_shortcake

@Robin9 current estimate based on 5 people at home is 3300kwh, I make that £90 a month. With there only being 3 of us at home now I think that should fall but I'm not sure by how much.

FreeBear

Nebulous2 said: We live in a listed building, which means we aren't allowed double-glazing, and insulation is limited.

Secondary glazing is an option. Even if you use the cheap stick-on plastic sheets, you can save some energy.

Have a chat with the local conservation officer about slim profile sealed units - You can get them down to around 11mm thick, and there are even some suppliers that offer wavy heritage glass in the units. Conservation officers are becoming more understanding of reducing heat loss, and some are willing to discuss the issue.

Robin9

annabanana82 said:

@Robin9 current estimate based on 5 people at home is 3300kwh, I make that £90 a month. With there only being 3 of us at home now I think that should fall but I'm not sure by how much.

I make it a little over £1200 or £100 a month but that £70 or so will be underpaying.

born_again

Keu said:

badmemory said:

I would be wary of trusting the gas usage too strongly.  My heating is always on thermostat at the same temp all yr round.  It has only come on once in the last 4 months, which is absolutely unheard of.  The nearest I have come to that in the last decade is once for 2 full months.  I am prepared for large bills but frankly hoping we don't have a winter of -10 degs again.

Wow, I would never feel comfortable to have the heating on thermostat unless it was below zero outside, never mind in the summer, albeit that we had April showers for a lot of it.

I have found this the cheapest way to heat our home. we use HIVE.
As someone is at home all the time, then just having 2 settings 17C overnight 21:30 to 06:00 & 20C rest of time (suits our home) gave us a good saving, compared to several different on/off settings we had previously.

Sad thing is. It actually heated the radiators this morning... Not what I wanted, but did make for a nice warm bathroom for a shower 🤣

But every home is different. What works for me, will not work for others. 👍