How are you saving electricty and gas?

I do everything that Maddyanne does except with heating, we tend to stay in bed longer in mornings, reading and listening to the radio. The heating goes on for an hours or so depending how cold it is. The log/multi fuel burner is lit at around 2 if we are home, we are also have the house insulated to a very high degree so we are happy

Some useful tips on this thread, thanks

PamelaJ1

honeyrose I used to use the short cycle then read an article about the eco cycle being the best for the planet.
Apparently it’s all to do with the amount of water used PN not the time taken.

Thanks PamelaJ1. I didn’t know that - I’ll certainly bear that in mind. It’s interesting that when we think we’re economising, we could actually do better if we knew the facts.

I forgot to add that I’ve just started a regular collection of groceries at my WI so that we can contribute to a local food bank. I add an extra £5 to £10 worth of items to my weekly shopping as I know some people are having to choose between heating or eating. Last meeting I took six bulging bags to the food bank and they were very grateful as their shelves are getting rather empty. I know my WI friends will be generous in the future.

I would look very closely at my budget and try to cut back in other areas before I reduce my heating so low that I need to wear a hat, scarf or gloves in the house. Even when I was first married ( in 1978) when we did not have central heating, my house was not cold enough to need outdoor clothes on indoors, I doubt that is healthy especially for older people.

I know I could trim my food budget, clothes buying and probably what I spent socialising but I appreciate that some people have no lee way in their budgets. I just think it is wrong that energy costs are so high that some people cannot afford to heat their houses adequately. Not only are there health concerns but also the worry of damp and condensation issues to the structure of the house.

We’ve mostly worked on improving the warmth retention in our very old crafty house! Loose Thermal curtain linings (available ready made) can be added to existing curtain backs, via curtain hooks. Draft excluders screwed to outside doors. DIY secondary glazing. DH (engineer) is currently making a large insulation backed cork board ( I think he is using carpet underlay) for a wall to hold pinned maps. I don’t know how much warmth that one will save but every little helps!

I wear a woolly hat when i am inside and long fingerless gloves. Thermal leggings from Lidl are so warm and stop my knees from aching too much. Today is my day for batch cooking soup, casseroles, Stovies, curries and chilli they are all frozen then popped in the slow cooker on low to heat.

These are things I’ve always done as I feel the cold.
Wear thermal vests in winter
Thermal or thick socks every day in winter
13 tog duvet on bed
Fluffy flannelette sheets in winter
Heating on at 8.30 then on all day at 20 degrees, off at nine
Cavity walls filled
Double glazing
Loft insulation
Hot water on 1 hour in the morning, 2 hours at night
Economy light bulbs
Curtains as well as blinds
Take hot water bottle to bed
Sleep next to husband, he’s always toasty warm
Wear thick jumpers, polo necks, warm clothing in winter
Keep a beautiful quilt on the sofa to snuggle in
Wear warm pjs in winter and a thick, fleecy dressing gown if walking around house

I dont have the heating on in the bedroom any more I have invested in 2 x teddy fleece quilt cover sets and am sleeping so well now there is nothing worse waking up cold during the night I bought them on sale from Brentfords Sale late last year when we where first told of the energy increases.
Everything is switched off from standby,I use my slowcooker twice a week and freeze what I don't use.
When at home I wear a fleece during the day and find a warm scarf keeps me cosy all day.

honeyrose I used to use the short cycle then read an article about the eco cycle being the best for the planet.
Apparently it’s all to do with the amount of water used PN not the time taken.

Ps I also try to remember that savings on gas/electric is also helping me to save money, help the environment and making me feel just a little bit virtuous!

I use the dishwasher on a short (27 minute) cycle and remove any stuck on food first. I only put the dishwasher on when it’s full.

I wash my sheets once every two weeks, but change pillowcases every week.

Use a 3 tier steamer for cooking vegetables and often cook extra for making soup later.

Put the tumble drier on as little as possible -hanging washing outside on the line when weather is bright and windy. When I do use the tumble dryer, I never get the items cupboard dry, but use a fold-down airer to hang things indoors before placing into the airing cupboard. Only use washing machine when fairly full, if at all possible.

Iron clothes only when necessary - I don’t iron bedding at all.

Wash hair once every 5/7 days (my hair has got drier over the last few years anyway - it’s not greasy like it was n my younger days).

Turn the thermostats down on the radiators (although DH sometimes turns them up!).

Wear a padded gilet around the house to keep warmer.

I find every little helps.

A brisk Vacuuming session warms me up for hours.

I've just lined my curtains, and it does make a difference.

Have a look at the weather for the next day, if humidity will be less than 85, get the washing done early for next day via a timer and get it out asap, the heavy cotton wash first

No standby at all

Vegetables in one pan

Pressure cooker for bulk stews and soups

These are fairly obvious but do seem to be making a difference. We all live differently and have different needs. Energy saving at home will never be one size fits all.

Close curtains at dusk to keep the heat in. Keep internal doors closed.

Don’t stand with the front door open chatting. Either invite the person in or go outside with them.

Make sure nothing covers the radiators.

Dry washing on an airer when it can’t go outside, no tumble drying.

Batch cook and freeze in portions to be reheated in the microwave for economical and easy meals.

If the oven needs to be on then fill it, feeeze surplus.

All our veg goes in one saucepan when cooking for two.

No lights left on in empty rooms, LED bulbs everywhere.

A heated throw is wonderful. I feel the cold, Mr C doesn’t. A hot water bottle keeps me warm at the computer.

Full loads only in washing machine and dishwasher.

Shower as quickly as possible.

Just enough water in the kettle.

Thermostat one degree less than last winter, radiators off or turned down in some rooms.

Absolutely nothing left on standby.

Dress for the season. A light fleece indoors is very cosy.

We’re just doing what we tried to do before but often didn’t as our bills seemed reasonable. Not the case now for sure.

We’ve just had a new roof.
The roofer saved the old oak latts for the wood burner. They have been sawn into the correct size and are being used to heat the house, doors opened for heat to dissipate.
Not a perfect solution, and the bathroom and kitchen remain cold.
But have saved £80 this month on gas.

Electric throw, heat it for a few minutes and then lower thermostat, instead of heating room. 13.5 tog duvet on bed. Keep curtains closed unless in room

Get a walk in sleeping bag to keep you warm and hold a hot water bottle. Drink hot soup - hands round cup - to warm you up inside.

I’m thinking of adding extra insulation in the loft after re-reading the surveyor’s report from when we bought our bungalow 12 years ago. The insulating wool can be ordered online so I’m now looking for the best price.

Most washing done at 30deg, full loads only, average every 5/6 days.
Slo Coker used at least 3 days a week.
Radiators upstairs are off, except the en suite one.
Heating off from 9 at night until 6:30 am, then on timer, so 2 hours in the morning, 4 at night, I’ll override it if I’m in and it’s really cold.
Shower every other day, hair wash roughly once a week.
Dishwasher run every 6 days on economy.

I use one of the heated back pads from Lidl though tuck it round my feet if they get too cold.

I bought one of these dog warming pads years ago and find it stays warm for most of the night. Bought it for me not the dog!
www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_beds_baskets/thermal_heated_blankets/heated/59060?variantid=59060.0&mkt_source=1454718&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0p2QBhDvARIsAACSOOMzOY_gwRNMT1wkvAR2bMxcNwP6f1NwA3je8oj5Z9dTFWxpXFNJeVAaAuYyEALw_wcB

If I boil eggs for two breakfasts, I boil four eggs and put two in the fridge when they've cooled.

I may use these for egg salad or some other dish requiring boiled eggs or sometimes I peel an egg an put it in a cup of boiled water to have for breakfast the next day.

I’m being as conscious as I can of how I use gas and electricity, trying to cut as much as possible.
I have fleece blankets as throws, a hot water bottle is wonderfully comforting under the blanket. Make a flask of coffee so not reboiling the kettle too often.
I dry most laundry on the clothes rack, I only use the tumble dryer for bedding and towels.
I am looking to replace our 22 year old boiler too.

I am using my slow cooker, microwave, air fryer and gas hob. I last used my double oven at Christmas and with luck may be able to leave it for another year.

I now think before I cook rather than using everything with gay abandon. I have a smart meter which for the last 2 months has shown my electricity usage to be much lower than gas but that will change when summer comes.