U-switch

I logged onto this to see if I could chop the leccy bill cos suddenly the bill's rocketed. Currently (ha!) with Sainsbos energy, the savings were so small that it's not worth all the hassle and botheration. So I'm off to Focus to get some more loft insulation etc and I've started switching the TV off at the plug. Can't use those horrible energy efficient bulbs cos we have downlighters. Might have to go buy some candles.

Originally Posted by Ed

I logged onto this to see if I could chop the leccy bill cos suddenly the bill's rocketed. Currently (ha!) with Sainsbos energy, the savings were so small that it's not worth all the hassle and botheration. So I'm off to Focus to get some more loft insulation etc and I've started switching the TV off at the plug. Can't use those horrible energy efficient bulbs cos we have downlighters. Might have to go buy some candles.

dont buy candles because when they start charging by the quant of co2 then ur stuffed...

however i might be able to help with ur down lighter issue...

Google megaman bulbs and they do an entire new range of all sorts of low energy blubs including 7w and 9w compact flouresents that can fit into the gu10 downlighters....

bewarned dont pay homebas prices, get them from a distribution place for 50% less...
iirc then they are £4.50 each.

any more info drop me a line!

When I priced up low energy bulbs I contacted our wholesalers (I'm a 'trician) and they told me to go to the supermarkets. They cant compete with their prices which was right.
I've changed alot of my bulbs but found the light they produce isnt the best. Okay for lamps and stuff but strain eyes after a while

HTH

[timwilky]

Well I used U switch and they estimate I will save £300/year by dumping N-Power. It seems to take bout 6 weeks for things to fully swap over. even so N-Power have just credited me with £98 they reckon I had overpaid.

This doesn't suprise me, I always found N-Power over estimate and are not the cheapest either. Therefore whilst they have to credit all their customers they don't credit back the interest thy have made on their money.

My monthly electrickery bill has dropped from £78 to £56/month

Before you change remember U-switch are NOT impartial they only recommend companys that have paid a lot of money to them.
I think they wanted a Hundred grand off BT before they included them.

chris

The chepaest they came up with for me was Atlantic. Never heard of them.

Much cheaper to switch off and insulate.

Edski

[embee]

If you want to check up on energy bill costs, as well as uswitch (as said, not impartial and not all suppliers are included) also check at
http://www.energyhelpline.com/energy/rg_home.aspx

Another place for low energy GU10's is
http://www.yourwelcome.co.uk/acatalo...ow_Energy.html
I believe LED types don't give much light output, apparently the cold cathode types are better.

Anyone with those horrid halogen downlighters, GET RID OF THEM! Hideously costly way to light your home.

I'm going through the same exercise of doing what I can to reduce bills. Best way is to wear another jumper in winter, but somehow this method doesn't seem to work with the fairer sort , who usually operate in turkish bath temperatures only. Add more loft insulation, current building regs (as of April'06) call for typically 250mm, if your house is anything like mine it had 100mm fitted about 20yrs ago which now looks like 25mm of dust.

I have an oldish gas boiler (only 65% efficient) but the cost for a replacement modern condensing jobbie means about 10yrs to just break even, also the good old building regs also mean that a new boiler also needs updating of the whole system, TRVs, 'stats, hot water cylinder etc. To help it along I've added pipe insulation (from local heating&plumbing wholesalers it's half the price of DIY stores) everywhere I can get to, and it's noticeably reduced the boiler run time for heating the water.

[Red ones]

Originally Posted by embee

I have an oldish gas boiler (only 65% efficient) but the cost for a replacement modern condensing jobbie means about 10yrs to just break even, also the good old building regs also mean that a new boiler also needs updating of the whole system, TRVs, 'stats, hot water cylinder etc. To help it along I've added pipe insulation (from local heating&plumbing wholesalers it's half the price of DIY stores) everywhere I can get to, and it's noticeably reduced the boiler run time for heating the water.

If your boiler is working fine, then hold off until it needs replacing. By then it should be possible to get a Whispergen or similar which also generates electricity for your house and squeezes cos still further. -It's basically a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant for the home.

we had our central heating sys up dated and had the old potterton boiler and cyl removed and replaced with a ferroli combi and i saw my gas bills drop dramaticly!
mind you up dating the sys cost £1400 and i dont think ive quite got that money back yet

I've just had a system fitted that burns recycled wood pellets - I'll let you know if it's cheaper after the (-30c) winter!