Energy bill increases

[jowwy]

We had a 20% consumption drop November 10th to December 11th so this includes 5 days of the very low temperatures.

Yes, we have turned down the thermostat but there are many other ways to reduce gas consumption which we've religiously practiced. Most are very small and I've been surprised by the overall impact.

How low in temps are we talking here and do you have a disabled partner in the house???

 

[Alex321]

But they wont put you on the standard tariff…..if you choose to switch the standard tariff wont be available…..its what happened with me and octopus

Most will. I believe they are legally required to offer it.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/n...l-be-required-to-make-tariffs-available-to-b/

Of course you & I won't be on the standard tariff because it doesn't make sense for us with solar power.

 

[chris-suffolk]

Of course you & I won't be on the standard tariff because it doesn't make sense for us with solar power.

I've got solar, would be interested as to why the standard isn't the best for me at the moment?

 

[jowwy]

Most will. I believe they are legally required to offer it.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/n...l-be-required-to-make-tariffs-available-to-b/

Of course you & I won't be on the standard tariff because it doesn't make sense for us with solar power.

I am on the standard capped tarrif…….

 

[PaulSB]

How low in temps are we talking here and do you have a disabled partner in the house???

Our thermostat is set at 19⁰C, no I don't have a disabled partner. We've had wood burner for 25+ years so it's use is not new. The point I was trying to make, as you asked how to reduce consumption in these temperatures, is there are other ways to reduce consumption. Some examples, you may think me daft, and I could well be, but I believe this has made a contribution. Gas is down by 20% and electric 11% in this house, some things apply to gas, others electric. I tried to find as many small efficiencies as possible which don't directly impact day to day living

Changing clothes less often, we now use the washing machine twice a week - one white and one coloured wash.

Reduce hot water flow to hand hot, no longer adding cold

⅓ fill washing up bowl. Clean down surfaces with this water before washing dishes. Probably saving a minimum of four bowls/day.

Shower every other day

Every door to every room is kept shut

I'm wearing a padded gilet under a heavyish fleece. It's possible all of this is wasted effort but I believe at the very least it is keeping energy use at the front of our minds.

 

[Scaleyback]

Our thermostat is set at 19⁰C, no I don't have a disabled partner. We've had wood burner for 25+ years so it's use is not new. The point I was trying to make, as you asked how to reduce consumption in these temperatures, is there are other ways to reduce consumption. Some examples, you may think me daft, and I could well be, but I believe this has made a contribution. Gas is down by 20% and electric 11% in this house, some things apply to gas, others electric. I tried to find as many small efficiencies as possible which don't directly impact day to day living

Changing clothes less often, we now use the washing machine twice a week - one white and one coloured wash.

Reduce hot water flow to hand hot, no longer adding cold

⅓ fill washing up bowl. Clean down surfaces with this water before washing dishes. Probably saving a minimum of four bowls/day.

Shower every other day

Every door to every room is kept shut

I'm wearing a padded gilet under a heavyish fleece. It's possible all of this is wasted effort but I believe at the very least it is keeping energy use at the front of our minds.

All sensible to me.
If your running your stat at 19C and still managing to save 20% gas, I would ask what did you use to set your Stat at ?
Also, I'm surprised you need a " padded gilet under a heavyish fleece " if your house is kept at 19c. During present times many people would sell their granny to be that warm.

 

[jowwy]

Our thermostat is set at 19⁰C, no I don't have a disabled partner. We've had wood burner for 25+ years so it's use is not new. The point I was trying to make, as you asked how to reduce consumption in these temperatures, is there are other ways to reduce consumption. Some examples, you may think me daft, and I could well be, but I believe this has made a contribution. Gas is down by 20% and electric 11% in this house, some things apply to gas, others electric. I tried to find as many small efficiencies as possible which don't directly impact day to day living

Changing clothes less often, we now use the washing machine twice a week - one white and one coloured wash.

Reduce hot water flow to hand hot, no longer adding cold

⅓ fill washing up bowl. Clean down surfaces with this water before washing dishes. Probably saving a minimum of four bowls/day.

Shower every other day

Every door to every room is kept shut

I'm wearing a padded gilet under a heavyish fleece. It's possible all of this is wasted effort but I believe at the very least it is keeping energy use at the front of our minds.

To be honest paul, my use is pretty low as it is…..less than 50kwh a day on gas and less than 4kwh a day on electric. I cant get it any lower, i even have solar to offset the electric use and i export solar to the grid to lower my bills….

my comment on how do you get to lower usage in these temps, was because ive gone as low as i and my disabled partner can cope with. As for adding wood burner or insulation etc etc, that would add to current out goings and take a whole load of payback time.

 

[postman]

The only problem with having the Turbo trainer in the kitchen is that the Guinness is within reach whilst I'm peddling for Britain. A can somehow manages to find it's way into my water bottle cage 🤔

today tuesday i found somerhing different.Twelve Days a Porter at WetherspoonsI am not sure how they would manage with a sweaty cyclist on a turbo at the bar,but it is a verrrrrry nice drink.I had five before i liked it.

 

[PaulSB]

All sensible to me.
If your running your stat at 19C and still managing to save 20% gas, I would ask what did you use to set your Stat at ?
Also, I'm surprised you need a " padded gilet under a heavyish fleece " if your house is kept at 19c. During present times many people would sell their granny to be that warm.

We live in a stone cottage, built 1845, and insulation is minimal so while the walls retain some heat maintaining 19⁰ throughout the property would be very expensive. The CH only runs 07.45 - 9.00 and 18.00 - 20.00. Thermostat is in the front room with door shut so once that room hits 19⁰ the heating shuts down - we watch TV here at night. Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, utility room are all at much lower temperatures with thermostatic valves turned down. The idea is to take the edge off the cold, as I'm in and out of the colder rooms I need the gilet/fleece combination.

The woodburner is in the back room and keeps that room very comfortable and this is where we live during the day.

As pensioners this is how we've found ways to cope with potentially huge energy bills. I appreciate our arrangements won't work for many households but believe it's about being creative and I think this is what I've done.

Loads of other stuff! After using the oven leave the door open. After boiling potatoes, drain water into a jug and use this for other veg etc. I have a very long list.

 

[PaulSB]

To be honest paul, my use is pretty low as it is…..less than 50kwh a day on gas and less than 4kwh a day on electric. I cant get it any lower, i even have solar to offset the electric use and i export solar to the grid to lower my bills….

my comment on how do you get to lower usage in these temps, was because ive gone as low as i and my disabled partner can cope with. As for adding wood burner or insulation etc etc, that would add to current out goings and take a whole load of payback time.

Yes, I appreciate your difficulty, in every way, one of my sons has Downs - he lives at his own house with three other lads, the bills are incredible, probably looking at £7000 pa for energy now. We use about 60 kWh/day on gas, I haven't calculated the electric. As a pensioner my comments are really only about how we've saved energy which might be interesting or helpful to others.

My target has been to reduce usage with minimal impact on our daily lives.

 

[jowwy]

Yes, I appreciate your difficulty, in every way, one of my sons has Downs - he lives at his own house with three other lads, the bills are incredible, probably looking at £7000 pa for energy now. We use about 60 kWh/day on gas, I haven't calculated the electric. As a pensioner my comments are really only about how we've saved energy which might be interesting or helpful to others.

My target has been to reduce usage with minimal impact on our daily lives.

It must be having an impact tho. I mean how often over the last few years have you had to sit around the house in a fleece and gilet???

 

[PaulSB]

It must be having an impact tho. I mean how often over the last few years have you had to sit around the house in a fleece and gilet???

Really, no. I'm sat watching the football and very comfortable. When I go to the kitchen to wash up I'll feel the temperature is much lower but I won't be cold. It really isn't having an impact. I do understand for those with a disability this can be very different.

 

[jowwy]

Really, no. I'm sat watching the football and very comfortable. When I go to the kitchen to wash up I'll feel the temperature is much lower but I won't be cold. It really isn't having an impact. I do understand for those with a disability this can be very different.

As you say, its not for everyone…..no way i could sit around the house in a fleece and gilet.

 

[Kingfisher101]

I think those Gilets are a total waste of time, do people like their arms totally freezing? I think they look totally silly and are pointless as a garment.

 

[chris-suffolk]

I think those Gilets are a total waste of time, do people like their arms totally freezing? I think they look totally silly and are pointless as a garment.

They are great for cycling - try the Galibier ones.