Is there any point?

Yes of course that's it but they're supposed to refund you if you build up credit and I certainly did. I can easily save it in a bank account of my own. No need to make them an interest free loan of £700.

Our direct debit is £50 a month and we are in credit but that is only because we are on a 2 year fixed tariff that finished in Oct 2023 so we will be able to get by this winter. We have a wood/multi fuel burner that we have just upgraded to one with a small oven, the plan is to do slow cooking in it overnight in case of power cuts. There has also been some really useful tips on this thread, the one I like best is the battery light for the hallway so I will look at that.

Aveline

Yes of course that's it but they're supposed to refund you if you build up credit and I certainly did. I can easily save it in a bank account of my own. No need to make them an interest free loan of £700.

I have a big credit on my account too, but Ovo pays me interest on it - more than I could get from my bank.

shysal

I heard a different figure, it was £16 per year in total for all household equipment on standby.
I unplugged my TV and digital recorder the other night, next day realizing that of course it didn't record the few daytime and late night series that I enjoy. I do turn off the TV at the set when not watching.

shysal I set up some series to record before we went overseas for a couple of months one year and DH unplugged the TV and recorder for safety. That was in the days before iPlayer.
?

GrannySomerset

My heart sinks at the prospect of all that unplugging, battery operated lights and never using the oven. This coming winter feels unsurvivable!

'Unsurvivable' ? Seriously?! Do you have any idea of the actual and real daily struggle to survive going on for millions of people all over the world? Thank God you have a roof over your head and a home where there are plug holes that can be unplugged! I do think many in the West have lost sight of reality. Don't stay one of them.

GrammyGrammy

GrannySomerset

My heart sinks at the prospect of all that unplugging, battery operated lights and never using the oven. This coming winter feels unsurvivable!

'Unsurvivable' ? Seriously?! Do you have any idea of the actual and real daily struggle to survive going on for millions of people all over the world? Thank God you have a roof over your head and a home where there are plug holes that can be unplugged! I do think many in the West have lost sight of reality. Don't stay one of them.

I think it will be "unsurvivable" for some, sadly. My personal, selfish worry is not about getting through this year but what happens after that. We will have helped individuals, but what, overall, will have changed and how many of us can continue if the help doesn't?

GrannyGrammy you can look after your social conscience. I will look after mine; no doubt GrannySomerset will look after hers. What are you doing to make a difference for the millions struggling? Are you taking over some international committees, perhaps?

I started to switch all plug switch’s off at night only leave broadband smart meter and fridge and freezer plugged in. If I use anything once finished with it I turn off at the wall never used to everything was left on standby but with the price hikes every little helps as they say pennies make pounds better in my pocket than theirs. I’ve noticed on my smart meter how much it’s changing already that’s before it’s changed. I will need to win lotto to have a bath lol

what a miserable life

How much do you reckon you're saving Nannashirlz?

I think I would rather try and do away with something else, and keep my twinkly lights, if they bring some real joy into life.
I'd stop bathing, and sit there smelling, looking at my lights.

We have sky and if tv is unplugged it all has to reconnect . The TV and it’s internet connection for in demand etc it takes ages.
Thinking that pressing the power button on remote is sufficient?

Aggie- i just have an extention and its near front or side of tv- as i go to bed i just pull out plugs for tv & lamp & leave sky box plugged in.

I dont understand Shill29- i leave sky plug but remove tv plug- nothing has to be reset on sky next day- its all just there the same- and its recorded any programmes overnight ive set up.

Haha Chestnut ?

Just power button leaves it still on stand- by.The only time sky all needs to reconnect is if theres been a power cut.

It's like spaghetti junction in mine, and I find it really stressful to deal with all the humbly old wires.

I also am useless with technology, and my flat needs rewiring.
Looks like I may be having a real fire after all, at some point.

Humbly. Jumbly.

MisaAdventure- ?

I've always turned off switches at the main and never leave them on stand-by.

Vampire devices use energy. Switching off completely saves energy and money. It's such an easy way to help yourself.

Ive just moved house- only drawback is having to stay with bulb (who are already in administration!) instead of changing it to my own previous company, who DID NOT charge a standing charge! They cant take over as they dont yet use the same type2 smart meters as bulb- and i cant go elsewhere as no one will take new customers now!Im soo ??

That’s interesting Nannan2. I wonder why ours is different ??

My Brotger-in-law is an electrician and very tight! He doesn’t turn anything off.
I go with him!

I’m saving 32p a night now according to my smart meter. That’s 2.32 a week lol

Well, not to be sniffed at, Shirlz.
I always convert that into things it could buy. (Food, usually)
A few tins of beans, there.

DaisyAnne

Chestnut

I always unplug TV, Microwave, kettle, washing machine, radio etc when finished using them it’s simple enough to pull it out and put it back in when needed

Not simple for me. The washing machine plug is behind the washing machine and unreachable. The TV, DVD recorder, Hi Fi system, hub, BT Vision are all plugged in behind the wall unit and unplugging one means unplugging everything.

I have a friend who had a fall recently, reaching to switch the TV socket off and turning quickly into the room. I could see how easily it could happen. She broke her wrist, sadly.

]] As far as I can see, five is the maximum for one any remote. However, you could have more than one set if you wanted them in different rooms. I am intent on doing everything I can to keep my independence so I am going to invest in a set of these for the sitting room. It is there where sockets are most behind other things.

You switch each one off with the remote; it's as simple as using a TV remote. Even if this only saves a little, it will help, and help me stay safe.

You may have to ask someone to help you put them in the sockets (if that is difficult) and set them up, although there are Youtube videos and it seems very simply.

But the remote controlled sockets are still using electricity - they themselves are on standby, waiting for a signal from their own remote to switch on the power to the appliance... After paying for the remote sockets, it will take you a long time to save enough on your electricity bill to cover the cost of buying them