Suggestions for reducing electric useage.

Sue-UU

If you're really keen on cutting the electricity down then why on earth not turn the TV off and only use it when you WANT it for a programme! It also seems as though you might just have the lights on more than is necessary. Whenever you're about to turn one on......ask yourself...IS it really necessary! Always turn them off the minute you leave the room/hall etc

Ice_2

sparklewing wrote: »

Thanks lots of useful tips there. Heating comes on for 2 hours in morning and 4 at night and is set at 17 degrees so don't really fancy turning it down any further

Will certainly have a look for new bulbs and for dimmer ones as think ours are 20 watt ones(person I bought house off left a whole bag full) :j

also if you have anyone in your household that is either disabled or over 60 ask your energy supplier's if they do a lower package for care...sometime called a care package I know BG do an age concern package as my late mother was on it...:D

sparklewing

Sue-UU wrote: »

If you're really keen on cutting the electricity down then why on earth not turn the TV off and only use it when you WANT it for a programme! It also seems as though you might just have the lights on more than is necessary. Whenever you're about to turn one on......ask yourself...IS it really necessary! Always turn them off the minute you leave the room/hall etc

The only light that is on while we are not in the room is the hall/stair light overnight. the living room light is on all day but we work in there and there is very little light from the windows so we need the overhead on to see by, going to see about those dimmable energy saving bulbs for it though.

I do agree we need to switch the tv off more often though, it's always on for background noise whether we are watchig it or not, I can't work in silence.

sparklewing

Ice wrote: »

also if you have anyone in your household that is either disabled or over 60 ask your energy supplier's if they do a lower package for care...sometime called a care package I know BG do an age concern package as my late mother was on it...:D

Only 2 healthy adults here fortunatley. Have been looking on Scottish Hydro(our suppliers) site though and they do an online tarriff which will save us a few pennies so going to phone them tomorrow about moving to that.

Thank you for all the suggestions everyone, very much appreciated.

Ice_2

sparklewing wrote: »

Only 2 healthy adults here fortunatley. Have been looking on Scottish Hydro(our suppliers) site though and they do an online tarriff which will save us a few pennies so going to phone them tomorrow about moving to that.

Thank you for all the suggestions everyone, very much appreciated.

no problem glad I could help...can I just ask "why you leave the hall light on" and have you considered LED light's as these are also suppose to be very cheap to run...:D

sparklewing

Ice wrote: »

no problem glad I could help...can I just ask "why you leave the hall light on" and have you considered LED light's as these are also suppose to be very cheap to run...:D

I've got a complete fear of being robbed while I sleep and can't get to sleep if the hall/landing light isn't on.

deep down I know that a light on won't stop a would be burglar breaking in but it's one of the aspects of my OCD.:o

Ice_2

sparklewing wrote: »

I've got a complete fear of being robbed while I sleep and can't get to sleep if the hall/landing light isn't on.

deep down I know that a light on won't stop a would be burglar breaking in but it's one of the aspects of my OCD.:o

ok ...have you tried putting alarms on your windows and doors they do work as I have them they stick on with sticky back paper stuff quite strong cos they are a sod to get back off if you sight them wrong if a window or door is then opened the alarm will go off it's quite loud and has two different sounds I can tell you if these alarms do go off you'll know about it as they are indeed very loud...this way you wont need a light on...they work by small battery like in a watch the small round ones and they are good I got mine at betterware online for around £17 quid but I did 12 plus batteries or they are selling them at Lidl at the mo...:D
the two different sounds are good as I use 1 sound for windows and the other for doors so if one does go off I know it's either a window or door...also you can get motion senser ones but they are abit more expensive put them in each room downstairs and if anyone moves bingo it'll go off...also you could get a timer for the plug on the landing/hall and plug in a lamp with a smaller energy bulb then set it to come on and off at night off for 2 hours on for 10 mins that sort of thing that way if anyone is thinking of breaking in this will deter them if lights are going on and off rather than just staying on...hope this helps Ice:D

Ice_2

also if you have these new windows double glazing they should have locks on them lock it but take the key out I have all my keys on a plastic thread hung up on my keyring stand...just a thought...:D

Ken68

The comparison site cashbacks, £60 or £30 are a significant percentage of a low users (e.g Ebico) bills.
Well worth considering moving twice a year, say to online accounts.

moonrakerz

Ice wrote: »

.never leave anything on standby it cost around £30 pa for 1 item on standby

Not really true, I'm afraid. Most equipment uses VERY little power in standby. My large TV uses 3W, which works out to about £2.50 a year. I do turn it off at night !

There was a lot of publicity a while back which seemed to imply if you switched everything off "standby" that would save the planet ! It ignored the really energy saving things like low energy lights, draught sealer, lined curtains and lots of loft lagging.