View Full Version : household enery saving advice?
right........
in a quest to cut down on the bills, i have just swap energy suppliers, but what else can be done?
i have
2x tvs
2x dvds
2x vcrs
1 xPs2
1x sky box
which were on standy by all the time, so they have all been turned off when not in use.
the washing machine is used 5 times a week, which will be cut down to just once or twice
the tumble dryer is never used
no dishwasher
all i have on 24 hours a day now is
2x alarm clocks
1x fridge
1x 5ft frezzer
the pc is on pretty much 9am till 11pm, even if im in work or out (although i do turn the monitor and spekers off when not in use)
how much energy would a 5min shower take? as, after going to the gym, i come home for a shower, where as i could shower in the gym
finely.....
all the heating is gas,
is it best to have it on low all day, or have it coming on and off through out the day
i think thats it, for now
:cheers:
Light bulbs...get low energy ones. They last for ages. And lots of places just give them away. The missus got two from Bingo last week...which was nice.
Light bulbs...get low energy ones. They last for ages. And lots of places just give them away. The missus got two from Bingo last week...which was nice.
good call........... already got them, in pretty much every fitting, i was waiting for the old ones to run out, but i think i will change the last 2-3 today
The missus got two from Bingo last week...which was nice.
Bingo? I get mine from Wilko's!
Have you got good insulation in the house Hovis? That's supposed to make a big difference. Also little things like only boiling enough water that you need, rather than a whole kettle each time.
Can't think of anything else at the moment - you seem to be doing pretty good :smt083
You doing all your recycling?
Dishawasher - why don't you use it? If you fill it up good and proper and use once a day (or when full) you'll use less water than when using the sink and galloons of 'oggin. Ours has an 'economy' setting AND also has a quick 30 minute wash facility...which is also nice.
definately shower in the gym - personally i couldnt get changed from sweaty clothes into fresh ones without showering - assuming you change of course
my heating comes on 15 minutes before i have to get up for an hour, is off all day then comes on half an hour before im due to get home ( i see no point warming an empty house), stays on the thermostat til 9pm. hot water for one hour twice a day.
never leave anything on standby
i've no idea if any of that is energy saving, its just how i do it!
Have you got good insulation in the house Also little things like only boiling enough water that you need, rather than a whole kettle each time.
?yes and yes
Dishawasher - why don't you use it? have not got one
definately shower in the gym - personally i couldnt get changed from sweaty clothes into fresh ones without showering - assuming you change of course
! i just drive home all sweaty:smt104
Dave20046
04-02-09, 10:05 AM
I've cut back on alarm clocks I've gone from 5 to 2.
Also don't leave phone chargers (or other type chargers) plugged in as they still sap a bit of energy.
dont leave all the lights on.
simple to do ,but easy to forget
Mr Speirs
04-02-09, 10:11 AM
Have your heating come on and off at certain times of the day. i.e. off peak times, it is cheaper. We also only heat up the rooms we use (we have storage heaters)
how old are your fridge and feezer?
The modern A-rated ones use a lot less eleccy that one's even a just a few years old.
Mr Speirs
04-02-09, 10:14 AM
Oh and use the washing machine and dishwater at off peak times too.
Is your oven gas or electric?
how old are your fridge and feezer?
The modern A-rated ones use a lot less eleccy that one's even a just a few years old.
i was thinking about that
the washing machine is about 1 year old and A rated, but the fridge and frezzer are probably 8 years old.
Oh.
Is your oven gas or electric?gas oven
Reckless Rat
04-02-09, 10:16 AM
is it best to have it on low all day, or have it coming on and off through out the day
Yes, one of the questions involving life, the universe and heating I've pondered over.
I'd like the heating timer combined with the thermostat so rather than completly shuting down the heating can be maintained at a lower temperature through the day and over night, and raising for the morning rush, and evenings.
According the the British Gas installer, last year, they could only offer this type of thing with a Combi... don't know why :smt104.
peterco
04-02-09, 10:31 AM
Oh and use the washing machine and dishwater at off peak times
That would work if you are on economy 7.You pay a higher charge during the day and cheap during the night.
Install a wind turbine(extreme option)
timwilky
04-02-09, 10:33 AM
Turn down the heating a tad and put on some warm clothes.
Do a bit of cleaning etc. the more work you do the warmer you will be.
startrek.steve
04-02-09, 10:35 AM
I have a little gadget called a "Powerdown now" which has one master socket (my computer) and two slaves (monitor & whatever) when the master is shutdown, the two slaves are powered down thus not leaving your monitor in standby. Ive got em on four PC's in the house. Im sure it saves a bit, doesnt work on the tv though, I think it sends a shutdown signal through the earth pin, and looks like my TV's isnt connected (just guessing here)
Steve
Luckypants
04-02-09, 10:38 AM
According the the British Gas installer, last year, they could only offer this type of thing with a Combi... don't know why :smt104.
What rubbish! does not require a specific type of boiler. Sounds like what you are looking for is a timer/thermostat. You can get battery powered ones to replace your standard room-stat, which has different temp settings for different times of the day. They are popular with underfloor heating systems, since the idea is to never let the floor cool too much.
Hovis, do you have thermostatic valves on your radiators? Fitting these can avoid overheating rooms, so saving you money on the gas. Also you might want to turn the thermostat on the boiler down a touch if your rads are really hot. Having a boiler service can also put your boiler efficiency back to where it should be, so saving gas.
Reckless Rat
04-02-09, 11:02 AM
What rubbish! does not require a specific type of boiler. Sounds like what you are looking for is a timer/thermostat. You can get battery powered ones to replace your standard room-stat, which has different temp settings for different times of the day. .
Sorry, getting a bit OT. :rolleyes:
Yep, that's what I'm after.
We had one in the original install spec put together by Brit Gas Sales rep, but it got pulled by the BritGas Surveyor.... who's supposed to check the spec is OK.
In fact IIRC the surveyor was totally confused by the idea of a timer/thermostat. Will take a look to see what's available... Thanks!
What you want is a programmable room thermostat. Honeywell are highly recommended. As said, your "advice" from Mr.Gasman was rubbish.
I have 2 wireless Honeywell room-stats, zoned upstairs/downstairs heating, so broadly speaking only the relevant part gets heated (don't heat downstairs at night).
You can replace whatever type of room-stat you have with the approprite type of programmable one.
As for reducing bills generally, loft insulation, draught proofing, turn room temp down a degree or 2, wear warmer clothes (seriously), turn hot water temp down a bit (generally advised to keep to 60C to avoid possible bacteria etc in hot water, but personally I use 50C, haven't died yet). Leave curtains closed during the day in rooms you don't use. Hot water is expensive stuff, minimise the amount you use.
I found my old fridge and freezer were using best part of 1kWh per day each, new A rated ones will halve that, a new fridge might use 150kWh per year instead of 300. Weigh up savings in energy vs cost of appliance and consider the economics.
Miss Alpinestarhero
04-02-09, 11:35 AM
turn hot water temp down a bit (generally advised to keep to 60C to avoid possible bacteria etc in hot water, but personally I use 50C, haven't died yet
And what bacteria is that? Is that in reference to washing dishes or showering? Ive never heard of that before :confused:
Have you got an open fireplace/chimney?
I noticed a cobweb in my now unused fireplace which was moving quite considerably. Then I realised it was because my lovely heated up air was disappearing up the chimney!
I put an old pillow in a black binbag and stuffed in in the hole - room seems a lot warmer now! I think you can get special blow up bags to fit up chimneys but my method was free and worked!
wash clothes on 30 degrees.
unless its whites or towels etc, then they need to be cranked up
Luckypants
04-02-09, 11:55 AM
Have you got an open fireplace/chimney?
I noticed a cobweb in my now unused fireplace which was moving quite considerably. Then I realised it was because my lovely heated up air was disappearing up the chimney!
I put an old pillow in a black binbag and stuffed in in the hole - room seems a lot warmer now! I think you can get special blow up bags to fit up chimneys but my method was free and worked!
Beware of condensation problems with doing this. No problem if the room has other ventilation (e.g. air bricks or tricle vents on the windows).
definately shower in the gym -
+100000000
WOW
i just turned the shower on, and had a look at the meter, the dial looked like it had just done a gram of powder*, it was spinning like a good, un
* or like your best L.P going at 78 for the oldies;)
Mr Speirs
04-02-09, 11:58 AM
And what bacteria is that? Is that in reference to washing dishes or showering? Ive never heard of that before :confused:
Legionellia (leigonairres disease) mainly.
Beware of condensation problems with doing this. No problem if the room has other ventilation (e.g. air bricks or tricle vents on the windows).
Didn't know that but I've had no problem with condensation. But the house was built in 1848 so it has some of it's own ventilation. ;)
Have you got an open fireplace/chimney?
I noticed a cobweb in my now unused fireplace which was moving quite considerably. Then I realised it was because my lovely heated up air was disappearing up the chimney!
I put an old pillow in a black binbag and stuffed in in the hole - room seems a lot warmer now! I think you can get special blow up bags to fit up chimneys but my method was free and worked!
yes, but what happens if you light the fire, and forget about the pillow:o
454697819
04-02-09, 12:07 PM
Yes, one of the questions involving life, the universe and heating I've pondered over.
I'd like the heating timer combined with the thermostat so rather than completly shuting down the heating can be maintained at a lower temperature through the day and over night, and raising for the morning rush, and evenings.
According the the British Gas installer, last year, they could only offer this type of thing with a Combi... don't know why :smt104.
combi boilers (gas ones) modulate, and so can use smaller amounts of gas to top up the heat in the system,
e.g. if you turn it on at 7am run it flat out for 2 hours, same again in the evening, you will burn more gas than if you run the house up to temperature, and then keep it on a thermostat, as it shoudl just come on to top the system heat up , they also work but measuring the temp difference in flow and return. They used to heat up to 81, return at 70, all the time, now if the house is up to temp but the return is 50, it will only heat up the rad water to 61, saving 20 Degrees worth of gas..
i think thats it...
so in a nutshell, get your house to a comfortable temperature, leave it there and set it on a thermostat.
hth
Alex
Mr Speirs
04-02-09, 12:07 PM
yes, but what happens if you light the fire, and forget about the pillow:o
You get a bigger fire.
454697819
04-02-09, 12:07 PM
yes, but what happens if you light the fire, and forget about the pillow:o
it gets a bit smokey in the house!
Luckypants
04-02-09, 12:09 PM
+100000000
WOW
i just turned the shower on, and had a look at the meter, the dial looked like it had just done a gram of powder*, it was spinning like a good, un
* or like your best L.P going at 78 for the oldies;)
OH YES, leccy showers cost a bomb. When I first moved into this house I was convinced something was wrong with the electrics cos the bill was so much higher than previous house. Checked the meter while teenage child was in shower - YIKES!
454697819
04-02-09, 12:10 PM
Legionellia (leigonairres disease) mainly.
which breeds at something like 20- 45 Degrees so 50degress should be fine.
the "Safe " hot water temp to avoid scalding is 43 degrees, so 50 is about right and saves you cooling down the hot water with cold.
oh Dont replace old fridge freezers to reduce ur co2 footprint, just think about the co2 require to dispose of the old one and build a new one! will it save you £400 in bills?
Last weekend I put more insulation in my loft as some areas the original insulation had gone a bit "flat" - went up there yesterday and beejeez it was cold! Good insulation is a must I think.
Cant think of anything other than what you have already suggested...
Luckypants
04-02-09, 12:15 PM
combi boilers (gas ones) modulate, and so can use smaller amounts of gas to top up the heat in the system, .....
It is not just combis that can modulate the burn, or limited to gas only. Modern boilers should modulate the flame to try to keep the boiler in condensing mode (the most efficient) but obviously the ones that do this successfully are also the most expensive to buy.
dizzyblonde
04-02-09, 12:16 PM
turn the radiators down in each room etc......and put on more clothes. Can't understand these folk that say my gas bills enormous, and they're walking around in a tshirt in winter, with all the radiators on full blast and the gas fire on too. I'm sat here oop norf at the moment with no heating on, a thin v neck jumper and a cardigan on. I'm not cold, but then I'm a stingy git too
dizzyblonde
04-02-09, 12:19 PM
Last weekend I put more insulation in my loft as some areas the original insulation had gone a bit "flat" - went up there yesterday and beejeez it was cold! Good insulation is a must I think.
Cant think of anything other than what you have already suggested...
my loft insulation was free as was my cavity wall stuff.....I recommend folk try and find these schemes that can offer free or discounted insulation. My upstairs is so hot I have the rads on their lowest settings, but then theres a foot or two thick insultion in the loft that won't let it escape:cool:
my loft insulation was free as was my cavity wall stuff.....I recommend folk try and find these schemes that can offer free or discounted insulation. My upstairs is so hot I have the rads on their lowest settings, but then theres a foot or two thick insultion in the loft that won't let it escape:cool:
Very true - my sister had a grant to help them with the cavity wall insulation and loft insulation - helped warm their house up loads.
454697819
04-02-09, 12:31 PM
It is not just combis that can modulate the burn, or limited to gas only. Modern boilers should modulate the flame to try to keep the boiler in condensing mode (the most efficient) but obviously the ones that do this successfully are also the most expensive to buy.
Modern oil boilers can condense but they cannot modulate as such by turning down the flame like gas boilers.
IIRC ..
turn the radiators down in each room etc......and put on more clothes. Can't understand these folk that say my gas bills enormous, and they're walking around in a tshirt in winter, with all the radiators on full blast and the gas fire on too. I'm sat here oop norf at the moment with no heating on, a thin v neck jumper and a cardigan on. I'm not cold, but then I'm a stingy git too
My Mrs is a nightmare for this. Although to be fair she does get cold a lot easier than me. At the moment our flat is so hot I'm walking round in t-shirt and shorts, sometimes just me pants :smt104
We don't have gas but our electric bill is stupidly big IMO
My Mrs is a nightmare for this. Although to be fair she does get cold a lot easier than me. At the moment our flat is so hot I'm walking round in t-shirt and shorts, sometimes just me pants :smt104
My mate has his heating on ALL YEAR!! He reckons its to - and I quote - "take the chill off in the morning"?? To be fair it his is missus driving it but still!
My mate has his heating on ALL YEAR!! He reckons its to - and I quote - "take the chill off in the morning"?? To be fair it his is missus driving it but still!
Bleedin' women :rolleyes: They have all that extra chest insulation yet they can't stay warm for more than 10 minutes :smt019 :mrgreen:
yorkie_chris
04-02-09, 02:10 PM
Enough wood to keep house toasty warm for about 3 weeks has just appeared in the garage. For free.
454697819
04-02-09, 02:19 PM
Enough wood to keep house toasty warm for about 3 weeks has just appeared in the garage. For free.
some fecker has just nicked my bloody tree...
:smt072
Enough wood to keep house toasty warm for about 3 weeks has just appeared in the garage. For free.
I always find that using my wood keeps me warm, burns off calories too :-dd
missyburd
04-02-09, 05:31 PM
.and put on more clothes on.
+1.
At the moment we have the heating on for a couple of hours in the morning when people should be getting up for lectures :rolleyes: and a bit in the evening. However when/if the nice weather comes along the heating won't be on at all and woe betide anyone I catch turning it on! :p
Trying to save money on bills in a student household is just ridiculous, people are always leaving stuff on and I should imagine most things are on standby. I get fed up of turning lights off after people.
They have all that extra chest insulation yet they can't stay warm for more than 10 minutes :smt019 :mrgreen:
That's cos all the warmth is diverted to the chest instead of other more needy places :-P
How about cutting your water bill by using less and being metered?
How about cutting your water bill by using less and being metered?
i was thinking about that, but i like to wash my bikes,
plus the water bill is not too bad, its the electic that needs cutting down
shonadoll
04-02-09, 08:06 PM
Our fuel bills are a nightmare- we have a gas fired Rayburn, which costs a bomb to run, and a woodburning stove where we burn free wood.
Fit thermostatic valves on your radiators which switch off when desired temperature is reached. Make sure you have draught excluders on windows and doors. How about charging your phone, laptop ipod whilst at work.
xXBADGERXx
04-02-09, 10:27 PM
Have you thought about using "Savaplugs" on your Fridge and Freezer Hovis ?
http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/savaplug.html
Especially if they are quite old , if they are fairly new then don`t bother with this device
tigersaw
04-02-09, 10:43 PM
My eleccy bill went down a third after I got rid of the water bed.
My eleccy bill went down a third after I got rid of the water bed.
Interesting term for the wife!
Joke!
Have you thought about using "Savaplugs" on your Fridge and Freezer Hovis ?
http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/savaplug.html
Especially if they are quite old , if they are fairly new then don`t bother with this device
I fail to see how they work! The firdge will only draw the current it needs anyway! A con me thinks!
Hovis. How much IS your leccy bill anyway? Are you on a Direct debit/standing order? Check your bills against your meter readings. Phone every 2 months and give them a reading, or do it online. This way your DD if you have one will vary correctly. Our utilites for our house is under £80 a month, thats gas, leccy, water. Our water bill went down form £20 a month to under a tenner
454697819
05-02-09, 09:29 AM
I fail to see how they work! The firdge will only draw the current it needs anyway! A con me thinks!
Hovis. How much IS your leccy bill anyway? Are you on a Direct debit/standing order? Check your bills against your meter readings. Phone every 2 months and give them a reading, or do it online. This way your DD if you have one will vary correctly. Our utilites for our house is under £80 a month, thats gas, leccy, water. Our water bill went down form £20 a month to under a tenner
Looks like an Anti Spike device, stops motors starting up and drawing a lot of current, to be honest I dont know what it will realsitically do..., might stop the fridge working as well, as fridge motors need to turn the compressor...?
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