OMG ---- I have just had the Electric bill!!

Runnybabbit

Hi, Do you use a tumble drier? or have radiators that 'plug in', I'm asking as these are shockingly expensive to run - Good Luck - I don't use my tumble drier now and bill has come down to £50 per month!.

loobylou2

I work for an energy company ( won't say which one because I don't want to get lynched !!!!) and would suggest you give the energy helpline a ring on 0845650650. They'll be able to go through all your appliances etc and tell you what is causing your high bills, they'll also be able to suggest ways in which you can save money. If you have an E7 meter just doing things like setting the washing nmachine and dishwasher with a timer so they come on during the night would also help to cut your bills in a big way. Hope this helps!!!!

lisabell

WOW !!!!

Thats so expensive definately try and shop around but i totally agree i got rid of my tumble dryer and my bill dropped by about £20 per month best thing i ever did was get rid of that.
Lisa

mountainlioness

Hi

I had a problem with our electricity when we moved into our new place last year (thread somewhere on the utility forum!) and we bought a £6 meter to check all the appliances... it may be you have a v inefficient freezer or something. In the end we discovered it was an immersion heater that had been on 24/7 but it was helpful to go and check everything. I think you can get them cheap from lidl or wilko. Or borrow one... We're in herts if you're anywhere near?!

I'd agree with other posters on getting plug that switches appliances off standby. I did some research recently and you can get "Intelliplugs" for laptops and for desktops/other audio for about £20 each. Cashback is available through quidco (the ethical superstore or something like that?) You can also get a cheaper system that runs off a remote called "Bye Bye Standby"...

HTH - good luck!

ML

Naomim

I have also started turning things off as I walk round the house. When I've boiled the kettle for my tea, it gets turned off at the plug, tv's off and not on standby, Sky box on standby (there is no off switch). I don't know if this has made a difference yet but I'm hoping these small things will. I also have a combi boiler and it's the best thing as I'm not heating water for it not to be used, I only heat what I am using. Brill :j

Naomi x

frosty

Naomim wrote: »

I have also started turning things off as I walk round the house. When I've boiled the kettle for my tea, it gets turned off at the plug, tv's off and not on standby, SKY BOX ON STANDBY (there is no off switch). I don't know if this has made a difference yet but I'm hoping these small things will. I also have a combi boiler and it's the best thing as I'm not heating water for it not to be used, I only heat what I am using. Brill :j

Naomi x

We have cut back on energy in a big way,my eldest son was spending an hour in the shower everyday:eek: ,we have a combi boiler and there is a switch to turn off the boiler,my son was told he could only have a five minute shower each day,he decided to carry on with the long showers so we now switch the boiler off after five minutes and he gets blasted with icy cold water(you should hear the screams):rotfl:guess what! he now has five minute showers and I have provided a five minute egg timer so he doesnt forget.

We cook a lot of meals in the actifry(saves a lot of gas).

Washing machine washes at 30.

We switch the TV,SKY BOX ect off at the wall at night.

I turn all appliances off at the wall each time they are used.

I try to switch the kettle off just before it boils because it seems to boil for a long time before switching off.

PasturesNew

My flat is entirely electric. I have an electric shower and an immersion heater.

I've been here 9 months and haven't used the immersion heater once. I boil a kettle to wash up. I just don't see the point of heating ALL that water when all I need is one bowlful.

My showers are always quick. NEVER more than 5 minutes. A 5 minute shower would include the lot: shower gelling and rinsing twice, hair wash, hair conditioner, shave legs/pits, spend 30 seconds of so just enjoying standing in the hot water flow at the end. Most showers are just 3-4 minutes. You can buy special shower timers - a wind up timer that goes in the shower. Or, you can grab yourself one from the cooking sections of any supermarket, just don't put it IN the shower cubicle. Give them a max of 4 minutes per shower. Get them to set the timer (or better still if they're young enough, get them to time each other and banging on the door once the one in the shower's gone over the time limit). Use peer pressure. Get the kids involved.

PasturesNew

I have a flask, I boil the kettle once to make a coffee, then top up the flask. Apart from not boiling the same water more than once, this means I have instant hot water next time I want a hot drink, no waiting for the kettle to boil.

kel123_2

Have a look here and work out your costs for each applience

http://www.ukpower.co.uk/running-costs-elec.asp

methekidsandthecat

Thankyou for all the advise and it is nice to know that we are not the only family with massive bills.... just need to persaude stroppy teenagers to cut back on music, msn and showers - not a difficult job then!!

I ahve had a look at the web site and can easily save 3-4 pounds a month just by doing the washing a night and even more if I do not ue the tumble drier.

I think I will try and use the slow cooker more as this must be cheaper than using the cooker for 2 hours to cook a casserole. Also thinking of getting rid of the microwave.

I will also use the flask idea as it is only me that drinks tea/coffee and I will be getting a monitor thingy - doe any know if you can get cash back (Quidco) on these..... just a thought!

Me