My Energy use Diary

SuiDreams

I've been out buying more winter woollies, Its easy to catch a chill when your out in the cold for hours on end with the dogs. Plus I find that if you get too cold when your out its harder to warm up again which tends to lead to the thermostat being turned up a bit to try and get yourself warm aain. Saying that heating is still off at the moment. I was a bit worried this morning as it was freezing, but when we've come back home (been out for most of the day with the dogs), the house has warmed up quite nicely by itself, so no heating yet ming you saying that the forecast seems to be quite cold tonight/tomorrow morning so I may yet have to ive in.

cw18

had to force our heating on again yesterday (thermostat said it was 14 degrees inside) -- and I'm pretty certain it kicked in automatically this morning......

The radiators weren't warm to the touch when I finally got up (just before the timer clicked off), but the house definitely didn't have the chill to it that it's had the last few days (and is starting to get again now).

I'd be happy to leave it off for me and DS, but 'cos of DH's health problems I daredn't !!!! (Hubby's out with a friend ATM -- gone to a pub to watch footy on the TV -- so the heatings staying off until the timer kicks back in shortly before he's due home )

Curley

This is my flat so i've nobody above or below me to keep me warm.



I'm the type of person that when i'm cold, i'm also miserable. It takes me ages for the flat to warm up when i've been at work all day so i'm going to start using the timer unfortunately.

Little_Mama

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

The other thing I've realised lately is that the light outside our front door which is movement activated is off and on all night, even cars passing trigger it and ours is quite a busy street. And it's 150 watts I think! I know the movement range on the sensor is very limited so I was thinking of putting some masking tape or something over the top part so that it is just triggered if someone enters the garden. But it seems a bit hassly and I'm worried it will come off in the rain. Anyone any experience of this? Or even would it be possible to replace the movement sensor? I can't get rid of it altogether since it is an area where you need security measures!

Hi Belfastgirl23,

We've a dusk to dawn one (or you can programme it for set hours) but it runs off energy saving bulbs. They are rather huge though.

We've also got one of those "light up the whole street" security lights too, OH gets the bulbs so I don't know if they are energy saving ones, is there an energy saving bulb that you can get for yours?

Also, as Digimortal says, pointing the sensor at more of an acute angle down towards your path/car/porch (delete as applicable ) will reduce the number of times it comes on and will mean it comes on at a time when there is a potential security issue.

Sorry I can't be of anymore help.

LM

belfastgirl23

Little_Mama wrote: »

Hi Belfastgirl23,

We've a dusk to dawn one (or you can programme it for set hours) but it runs off energy saving bulbs. They are rather huge though.

We've also got one of those "light up the whole street" security lights too, OH gets the bulbs so I don't know if they are energy saving ones, is there an energy saving bulb that you can get for yours?

Also, as Digimortal says, pointing the sensor at more of an acute angle down towards your path/car/porch (delete as applicable ) will reduce the number of times it comes on and will mean it comes on at a time when there is a potential security issue.

Sorry I can't be of anymore help.

LM

You are right that I should look at getting an energy saving bulb, I will check tomorrow and see - the bulb is unusual though, it's one of the ones that would be about the size and shape of a cigarette if that makes sense...

But as for the sensor it is tilted to the max into the garden and yet it still triggers right out into the street - which is why I'm figuring it'll have to be gaffer tape. Although we are due to have our burglar alarm checked and DH reckons maybe we should just get then to fit a new sensor...

A_fiend_for_life

matty2767 wrote: »

there are 76 of us in the club so how come i am 40/49?

The average monthly CO2 emissions is 28kg. If two or more people have the same value then the only fair way is to give a joint rank within the carbon club.

A_fiend_for_life

@curley nice place!

Is there much wind under the underpass? Extra underlay or rug might help.

Do you have central heating and double glazing?

Curley

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

@curley nice place!

Is there much wind under the underpass? Extra underlay or rug might help.

Do you have central heating and double glazing?

Blimey, your an early bird!

Oh yes, it does get windy under there! The bedroom is behind my living room so both rooms (and bathroom) are over the underpass. I've got GCH & it's double glazed, but for the time being i'm only putting central heating on twice a week. The living room carpet & underlay is old (same ones as when I moved in!) but that's next on my list.

I'm thinking of maybe getting some insulation for under the floorboards, can anyone recommend anything?

A_fiend_for_life

I was wondering if the curtains were hanging over the radiator - its best if they just come down to the top of the radiator or better just sit on the window ledge. Some folk I think on the OS board tack them up as a temporary measure. I've a small ledge underneath my window so I've just put some hidden net wire across in two overlapping halves. then when I close the curtains I tuck them under and round the back. Not so aesthetic but it seems to do the trick.

I was wondering if anything could be done about the underpass such as external insulation but I don't know of any solutions on that.

Regarding insulation I am sure you get some with tin foil to reflect the heat back in and install it silver side up but 'the DIY board' would be able to give better answers. Maybe something that is sound proofing too if that is a problem.

lingojingo

My bill has appeared online today.......

Dual fuel total is £118.29 (was £104.96 last year)
I'm quite pleased with the overall cost, given how much prices have gone up, but a bit disappointed that my electricity useage doesn't seem to have gone down anywhere near as much as I'd hoped.

Electricity - 715kWh (last year 754)
Gas - 645kWh (last year 1032:eek:)

Main reason for the gas reduction is that we haven't had the heating on at all yet:j DD and I have been sitting in sleeping bags as we watch TV in the evening, and DD said how useful it would be if the sleeping bags had arm and leg sections for when we go to get a drink or something. Imagine how we laughed when we saw this in a leaflet with a magazine :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/selk-bags/index.html?&gclid=CKK16-qbs5YCFRSO1QodECMbLg