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Post by westlandstokie on Apr 4, 2022 6:56:21 GMT
With the rising costs…fuel, food, utilities etc what are you doing to get through the next few months ? I have started to grow my own veg…potatoes, sprouts, onions, lettuce, carrots etc in my greenhouse…did it years ago and quite enjoyed it. Also re the crazy utility prices…I no longer leave the outside house lights on at night nor the lights at the end of the drive. I am constantly turning off non needed lights around the house…even though my son son thinks it’s hilarious to turn them on again. And finally if I’m doing myself a brew…I work from home…I only put enough water in the kettle for the one mug. All little things but hopefully it saves a few quid over the coming months 🤞
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Post by lordb on Apr 4, 2022 7:08:57 GMT
Ligbts don't use that much electricity do they?
Washing machines, fans, heaters appliances generally
Light bulbs not so much
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Post by questionable on Apr 4, 2022 7:29:01 GMT
I’m doing pretty much all of the above, only watching the TV from about 7-9 at night, if we pop out I’m charging our phones via the USB ports in the car and thought about the charging the iPad this way also.
Convinced the wife that it’s not a competition to keep the washing basket empty, to only do the dishes when there’s a bowl full, I’m trying to stick to wearing joggers/warm clothing etc around the house and wearing them for longer TBH and generally keeping to free things to do like tidying up the garden and getting out more with the dog.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 4, 2022 7:42:37 GMT
More beer and less food😉
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Post by Northy on Apr 4, 2022 7:48:23 GMT
People doing things they should have been doing anyway, burning needless energy, wasting money and causing extra air pollution.
Part of my job is looking for energy saving in the company, I've been doing it for years, our heating never goes above 18, just stick/keep a hoody on.
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Post by partickpotter on Apr 4, 2022 8:16:23 GMT
Easier said than done. I find booze makes me eat more, bad food. |
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Post by noustie on Apr 4, 2022 8:28:06 GMT
As a cheaper alternative to taking the car for short trips I’ve started topping up the local smack head and getting them to give me a piggy back to the shops.
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Apr 4, 2022 14:53:01 GMT
It's hard to think because I do a lot of these things without thinking. Some things I've been doing for a few years:
If I'm doing something on the (gas) hob that needs boiling water, I boil it in the electric kettle first then put the water in the saucepan. Quicker and cheaper. I switch the kettle off just as it boils.
Anything that tastes just as good in the microwave, I do in the microwave e.g. jacket potatoes (which can be put in the oven for 10 mins at the end to crisp the jacket), veg (a bit of water in the bottom of a container with a loose lid on top) and tinned stuff. Quicker and cheaper. Even omelettes can be as nice in the microwave. Fudge is great to make in a microwave.
I don't leave any electrical appliances switched on overnight apart from my CD player which is also my clock (and uses barely any power when switched off at the device).
I wear a fleece or jumper if I'm cold and only put the heating on if it's really cold. I rarely if ever feel like I need the central heating on overnight and just keep an extra blanket to hand for if I get cold. I grew up in a house that only had heating in one room, and as far as I'm concerned, a roof over my head and warm clothes and blankets are all I need (I appreciate I might change that view as I get older).
Keep curtains/blinds open when the sun's on the windows and draw them at dusk.
I cycle, walk or jog short journeys. Cycling is often quicker than car - say I'm going into town, I can cycle right to where I'm going to instead of walking from a car park. I often accelerate faster than I need to when driving, but I brake far less than most drivers I see, on the motorway especially. Not only is not tailgating safer, but it saves fuel by not constantly applying the brakes.
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Post by deeside2 on Apr 4, 2022 16:35:00 GMT
I've finally convinced the wife that the heating only comes on at 18c from 7pm-9pm (came on at 4.45pm-9.30pm at 19c previously), and at 17c from 7-7.45am (was 6.30-8am 18c previously). We both wear thicker fleeces/jumpers if it's cold. We wash the dishes just once a day now, and the dishwasher has been switched off.
The cooker, kettle, microwave, radio, and cd player are now switched on only when needed and not left on standby. The tv's are all switched off at night as well. The only thing left on permanently is the fridge/freezer. The main "extravagance" is the washing machine is used about 4 times a week, but we've now got it on a 30deg c cycle which is much quicker. Lights are only on if needed, and only in the room we're using. The one thing my wife can't (won't) cut down on is her daily shower which seems to last for ages. I'm waiting for the next energy bill to hopefully get her to cut down her shower times.
I also grow my own veg, carrots, courgettes, peas, salad leaves, tomatoes, beetroot, parsnips, peppers, herbs, and have a couple of apple trees as well - certainly nowhere enough to be self sufficient, but it definitely helps reduce what we buy. I'm actually considering trying to get an allotment as well.
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Post by somersetstokie on Apr 4, 2022 16:42:33 GMT
I remember in a previous energy/utility crisis, there was a good slogan going around. "Save Water. Bath with a friend."
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Post by foghornsgleghorn on Apr 4, 2022 16:50:23 GMT
There's a lot of focus on increased gas prices but it's worth remembering that the cost of electricity per kW hour on day rates is typically about 4x that of gas....
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Post by danceswithclams on Apr 4, 2022 17:30:28 GMT
Ketamine.
Lots of Ketamine.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 4, 2022 17:33:55 GMT
Central heating is made for women. Since I’ve been single I don’t think I’ve had it on! Long johns and a brandy is all you need!
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Post by mattador78 on Apr 4, 2022 17:36:14 GMT
Ligbts don't use that much electricity do they? Washing machines, fans, heaters appliances generally Light bulbs not so much Led bulbs certainly don’t use much |
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Post by LL Cool Dave on Apr 4, 2022 17:36:21 GMT
I've started going for a dump by candlelight.
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Post by mattador78 on Apr 4, 2022 17:39:29 GMT
People doing things they should have been doing anyway, burning needless energy, wasting money and causing extra air pollution. Part of my job is looking for energy saving in the company, I've been doing it for years, our heating never goes above 18, just stick/keep a hoody on. Mines 19 and it’s off during the day including weekends 5.30 in morning till 7 then 4 till 9 is 18degrees then 9 till eleven is 19 if it needs it. Last house we had the thermostat didn’t work so we got used to using jumpers and blankets and the habit has stuck |
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Post by mattador78 on Apr 4, 2022 17:39:57 GMT
I've started going for a dump by candlelight. Watch the fumes don’t ignite |
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 4, 2022 17:46:06 GMT
I've started going for a dump by candlelight. Watch the fumes don’t ignite He could go one step further and shit in a bucket to use as fertiliser for his crops👀 |
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Post by lawrieleslie on Apr 4, 2022 18:23:45 GMT
Turned the CH down to 18 from 19.5 and only between 7-9am and 5-7pm. We have a log burner that heats the whole bungalow in about 2 hrs so that’s on when needed in evenings. We’re expecting bulk log supplier to increase his price this year. Last year it was £90 for a load that lasted most of the winter supplemented by smokeless coal and the odd bag of eco logs from Lidl. Previously £200 fuel allowance has just about covered logs and coal but doubt that will happen anytime soon. This winter has been a longer burn time due to colder temperature. Normally run it from early November to mid March. This winter we started mid October and still running it now most evenings due to cold spell. All our light bulbs are LED so that saves enormous amount vs standard bulbs and nothing on standby.
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Post by superjw on Apr 4, 2022 18:35:56 GMT
I've done lots of these over the years but focused more on it now
- I was able to swap my 2kw condenser dryer for heat pump and the energy usage is so much lower and probably going to be my biggest saving this year. I'm also more conscious to get as much washing outside as possible so I reduce my overall useage on the dryer.
- stopped washing clothes on high temps, my machine has an eco setting and doesn't heat the water over 40.
- swapped to a smart heating system (I have Hive) I've also been conscious to properly balance and adjust valves to make sure rooms are evenly and efficiently heated
- cut down on shower time, I have an electric shower so it uses 10kw so every minute less counts, plus saves water too
- not leaving things plugged in/standby. This can't be done for everything, but I went around my house with my smart meter once and turned off everything at the plug that wasn't essential (things like phone chargers, toaster, kettle) I saved 50 watts per hour, that's about 30p or so a day in today's prices!
- don't drive unless I really have to
- cut back on stuff I buy on weekly shop, set myself a limit and aim to save £5/£10 per shop if I can
I'm also looking at solar panels with a battery system, a family member has them and they save a fortune combined with the battery - but the cost outlay is insane.
I know we should be saving and using less, but it's crazy that this is a necessity to live in 2022 UK
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 4, 2022 18:38:40 GMT
I've done lots of these over the years but focused more on it now - I was able to swap my 2kw condenser dryer for heat pump and the energy usage is so much lower and probably going to be my biggest saving this year. I'm also more conscious to get as much washing outside as possible so I reduce my overall useage on the dryer. - stopped washing clothes on high temps, my machine has an eco setting and doesn't heat the water over 40. - swapped to a smart heating system (I have Hive) I've also been conscious to properly balance and adjust valves to make sure rooms are evenly and efficiently heated - cut down on shower time, I have an electric shower so it uses 10kw so every minute less counts, plus saves water too - not leaving things plugged in/standby. This can't be done for everything, but I went around my house with my smart meter once and turned off everything at the plug that wasn't essential (things like phone chargers, toaster, kettle) I saved 50 watts per hour, that's about 30p or so a day in today's prices! - don't drive unless I really have to - cut back on stuff I buy on weekly shop, set myself a limit and aim to save £5/£10 per shop if I can I'm also looking at solar panels with a battery system, a family member has them and they save a fortune combined with the battery - but the cost outlay is insane. I know we should be saving and using less, but it's crazy that this is a necessity to live in 2022 UK Your last line hits the nail on the head mate, absolutely insane! |
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Post by iancransonsknees on Apr 4, 2022 18:49:54 GMT
I've done lots of these over the years but focused more on it now - I was able to swap my 2kw condenser dryer for heat pump and the energy usage is so much lower and probably going to be my biggest saving this year. I'm also more conscious to get as much washing outside as possible so I reduce my overall useage on the dryer. - stopped washing clothes on high temps, my machine has an eco setting and doesn't heat the water over 40. - swapped to a smart heating system (I have Hive) I've also been conscious to properly balance and adjust valves to make sure rooms are evenly and efficiently heated - cut down on shower time, I have an electric shower so it uses 10kw so every minute less counts, plus saves water too - not leaving things plugged in/standby. This can't be done for everything, but I went around my house with my smart meter once and turned off everything at the plug that wasn't essential (things like phone chargers, toaster, kettle) I saved 50 watts per hour, that's about 30p or so a day in today's prices! - don't drive unless I really have to - cut back on stuff I buy on weekly shop, set myself a limit and aim to save £5/£10 per shop if I can I'm also looking at solar panels with a battery system, a family member has them and they save a fortune combined with the battery - but the cost outlay is insane. I know we should be saving and using less, but it's crazy that this is a necessity to live in 2022 UK Another vote here for the hive. Can't recommend them enough. |
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Post by iancransonsknees on Apr 4, 2022 18:53:34 GMT
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Post by cobhamstokey on Apr 4, 2022 19:24:32 GMT
Use the log fire more
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Post by iancransonsknees on Apr 4, 2022 19:35:19 GMT
Another vote for that if you've got one. Already ordered my kiln dried logs for next winter. |
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Post by franklin on Apr 4, 2022 19:46:59 GMT
I've been looking at them I might splash out on a couple this summer. |
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 4, 2022 19:56:02 GMT
I heard the government were introducing a new tax on log burning users? Don’t know if correct |
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Post by cobhamstokey on Apr 4, 2022 19:59:36 GMT
I heard the government were introducing a new tax on log burning users? Don’t know if correct bugger. On a serious note we’ve had ours for a few years now and they’re great. Can’t beat the sound of crackling. Candles are great too for light and smell. |
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Post by iancransonsknees on Apr 4, 2022 20:01:08 GMT
I heard the government were introducing a new tax on log burning users? Don’t know if correct There's a bit of lobbying going on at the moment. How on earth they know who's got one I've no idea. |
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Post by telfordstoke on Apr 4, 2022 20:04:29 GMT
I've turned into the annoying twat that walks round shutting doors and turning lights off really.been sat looking at bank statement and outgoings tonight and trying to see how I can do even more to cut back. Felt we'd been doing so well til the latest round of rises landed , it's just demoralising. And consider myself very cautious and do all the money saving tricks I can.
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