Gas and Electricity Prices.

Correct answer! I think I love you ...

Yes crimson thick curtains can be a great energy saver.
Anything with a heating element flicketyb.
Cookers the worst (apart from actual heating)
I am lucky enough to live in an energy efficient house (7 years old which means insulated to a good standard) Even so I have just been round and closed curtains and doors upstairs when the heating came on. But the house stays warm for hours. I experienced the opposite when staying with my son (when he was ill a few years back) in NZ, through a cold snap. I used to get up in the morning and put on full outdoor kit (including 2 pairs of trousers and a scarf) before i even thought about making my way to the kitchen to make a tea, with my breath steaming before me.
We also have a batch of photovoltaics (my DH is in the energy effiency industry) and I am getting quite good at remembering to cook and turn on appliances when the sun is out and at least some of the electricity free.

Might pick your brains about those in the future, Jess. My daughter is going to do a lot of work on her house a couple of years and was thinking about ways to save energy. I think the extension will be facing the wrong way, though. But certainly worth thinking about as she'll be having a new roof on the extension.

Oh dear oh dear. Dithering Dave has announced that energy companies will be obliged to offer customers the most advantageous tariff. No one can figure out how it is going to work. And it is of course very much against the tory philosophy of competition.
First the Dept have heard about it (the ones that are drafting the energy bill...)
First OFGEM heard about it (I am told by word of mouth)
First the energy companies have heard about it.
What happened to that talking and listening consultation thing that normally happens to make sure that your bright idea is workable?

EON just announced a 10% rise. Ouch!
This link will tell you about the government's latest scheme to encourage energy improvements to housing. It is, in truth, a complicated idea:
If you wanted to do significant improvements (e.g. a new boiler and some solid wall insulation) and did not want to pay up front, you can take out a Green Deal Loan that is attached to your property. You will pay it back over a long time, out of your electricity bill. And your bill should be no bigger after the improvements than before. If you move, the next owner carries on paying the loan back out of their electricity bill.
OK - so it is officially "launched" but the industry is not quite ready yet. But if you get in at the beginning the govt are funding "cash backs" . See on link. So if you are thinking of getting something done in the next year, then start reading up now.

www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/tackling/green_deal/gd_quickguides/gd_quickguides.aspx

Wasn't it EDF today, JessM? I think EON has said it's waiting until the New Year though I'm sure their increase will be equally shocking.

yes it was, nearly 11% actually. Not concentrating!

EON are waiting till everyone switches to them before they raise their prices, I suppose. The S.O. told me that somewhere [Northern Ireland, I think] have lowered their prices. Given that combi boilers only last about ten years I would imagine most people would have only just paid off their Green Deal Loan when they need to take out another one. Can't say that I'd want to buy a house with a loan deal attached. Also, does the boiler have to be fitted by a certain company? Given that British Gas wanted to charge me a great deal more than everyone else I wouldn't trust them. I'm pleased that I've finally stopped my Economy 7; only took a quick phone call and I've been meaning to do it for ages.