My electricity bill has just tripled: how about yours? Alternative suppliers?

[sojourner]

The dehumidifier also makes your rooms warmer, another added benefit

 

[cupid_stunt]

sojourner, I got my boiler flow temp down from 70º to just 55º, and that works fine with 6 radiators, although I may need to increase it as the proper winter weather hits us, so it could be worth lowering it a bit more.

 

[sojourner]

sojourner, I got my boiler flow temp down from 70º to just 55º, and that works fine with 6 radiators, although I may need to increase it as the proper winter weather hits us, so it could be worth lowering it a bit more.

Cheers. I'm not ENTIRELY sure that I did it successfully tbh - it deffo looked like I had, and am gonna get my plumber to check it when he services the boiler, but yeh - going on last night's heating (still really hot), it could easily go down a lot more.

 

[sojourner]

I've also had the gas fire on low to measure how much, and that's a lot cheaper when it's on low compared to the heating. Plan is, continue with the half hour of heating at tea time to warm the house through, then if really cold, put the gas fire on low for an hour.

Currently still toasty in furry clothes, blankie, and if really cold, I get in the 4 season sleeping bag with a hot water bottle. The hottie is now a staple!

 

[cupid_stunt]

I've also had the gas fire on low to measure how much, and that's a lot cheaper when it's on low compared to the heating. Plan is, continue with the half hour of heating at tea time to warm the house through, then if really cold, put the gas fire on low for an hour.

Currently still toasty in furry clothes, blankie, and if really cold, I get in the 4 season sleeping bag with a hot water bottle. The hottie is now a staple!

Remember the CH will use a lot of gas to warm the system up from cold, IIRC the last time I checked mine used about 83p to heat up the bungalow by 1c, and about 31p for the next 1c, as my place holds the heat well, I am thinking I may heat it a bit more on colder mornings, so it's warm enough not to use again in the evenings.

Of course, that depends how well it holds the heat when it gets a lot colder outside.

 

[sojourner]

Remember the CH will use a lot of gas to warm the system up from cold, IIRC the last time I checked mine used about 83p to heat up the bungalow by 1c, and about 31p for the next 1c, as my place holds the heat well, I am thinking I may heat it a bit more on colder mornings, so it's warm enough not to use again in the evenings.

Of course, that depends how well it holds the heat when it gets a lot colder outside.

Yeh I know, but it still costs a fucking bomb to run, so any cutting down is welcome. We have cavity wall insulation, fairly new double-glazing, and are end terrace, so get heat from next door (a bit).

 

[WouldBe]

the temp on the 45 min wash to 20º instead of the 40º that it was,

Used to do mine on a 45 minute wash and it used nearly twice as much as the 3 hour cycle.

 

[sojourner]

Used to do mine on a 45 minute wash and it used nearly twice as much as the 3 hour cycle.

I tested mine recently. The so-called 'eco' wash cost 75p- nearly 4 hours long and supposed to be the best in terms of energy usage and water consumption. The 45 min wash was 35p. The 30 min wash was under 10p but you can only do a half load and the spin speed is a pathetic 800, meaning laundry will take much longer to dry.

I deffo noticed the difference in turning it down 20.

 

[WouldBe]

I tested mine recently. The so-called 'eco' wash cost 75p- nearly 4 hours long and supposed to be the best in terms of energy usage and water consumption. The 45 min wash was 35p. The 30 min wash was under 10p but you can only do a half load and the spin speed is a pathetic 800, meaning laundry will take much longer to dry.

I deffo noticed the difference in turning it down 20.

Could you put it back on for a another spin cycle at higher speed?

 

[sojourner]

Could you put it back on for a another spin cycle at higher speed?

It only does a half load. No good to me.

 

[WouldBe]

It only does a half load. No good to me.

2 30 min washes would only cost 20p instead of the 35p for the 45 min full wash.

 

[sojourner]

2 30 min washes would only cost 20p instead of the 35p for the 45 min full wash.

Did you not read the bit about the laundry taking longer to dry too?

So I should do 2 separate washes, with 2 separate spins? Nah.

 

[WouldBe]

Did you not read the bit about the laundry taking longer to dry too?

So I should do 2 separate washes, with 2 separate spins? Nah.

Yes hence suggesting an extra spin cycle.

 

[sojourner]

Yes hence suggesting an extra spin cycle.

For the sake of possibly saving 15p, it's not worth it in terms of my time tbh.

Also, it won't be 15p now, due to turning the temp right down.

 

[MickiQ]

Remember the CH will use a lot of gas to warm the system up from cold, IIRC the last time I checked mine used about 83p to heat up the bungalow by 1c, and about 31p for the next 1c, as my place holds the heat well, I am thinking I may heat it a bit more on colder mornings, so it's warm enough not to use again in the evenings.

Of course, that depends how well it holds the heat when it gets a lot colder outside.

I am truly awed that you have that amount of detail at your fingertips. Mrs Q reckons I am a bit obsessive but I am just not in your league

 

[WouldBe]

For the sake of possibly saving 15p, it's not worth it in terms of my time tbh.

Also, it won't be 15p now, due to turning the temp right down.

Fair enough. Still might be of use for someone else who needs to save that bit extra.

 

[cupid_stunt]

I am truly awed that you have that amount of detail at your fingertips. Mrs Q reckons I am a bit obsessive but I am just not in your league

I blame High Voltage, he was proper obsessive first over his electric use, and it seems to have rubbed off on me.

I've done every thing I can to reduce the electric use, so I've given up on checking that too often, and moved onto gas use.

Oct 21-Mar 22 I used £290 in gas, that would be £775 at the current rates, so clearly it's worth looking at, my aim to cut gas use by 50% taking it down to a max. of £387.50 and less than the £400 government grant for this winter's bills. The new boiler will save 35% and I hope my measures will save at least 15%, in my dreams the cost will come in under the £290.

I've set-up a simple spread-sheet, thanks to the mild Oct. and not needing heating, last Oct. I used 699.12kWh costing £71.94 at current rates, this year 35.2kHw costing just £2.57, so smashed my max. target of £35, and delivered a saving of £69.37 on what it would have been if I had used the same as last year.

The target for Nov. is £60 max., looks like it'll be about £32, saving £86 or £158 for the 2-months, which is a good start.

 

[sojourner]

Fair enough. Still might be of use for someone else who needs to save that bit extra.

True true. We only do 2 loads a week now, so the savings would be tiny and not worth the extra fucking about and time.

 

[cesare]

Is anyone else starting to wear things more than once before washing them (smelling armholes and arse cracks first) plus not changing the bed as often?

 

[gentlegreen]

*whistling smiley

 

[moochedit]

Is anyone else starting to wear things more than once before washing them (smelling armholes and arse cracks first) plus not changing the bed as often?

No not with clothes although i've always not changed the bed as often as i should

 

[kabbes]

Is anyone else starting to wear things more than once before washing them (smelling armholes and arse cracks first) plus not changing the bed as often?

Did anyone else always wear things more than once before washing them…?

 

[sojourner]

Is anyone else starting to wear things more than once before washing them (smelling armholes and arse cracks first) plus not changing the bed as often?

Only all my life

 

[colacubes]

Is anyone else starting to wear things more than once before washing them (smelling armholes and arse cracks first) plus not changing the bed as often?

Doesn't everyone do this Knickers, socks, tights get changed daily but everything else gets a sniff

 

[sojourner]

i've always not changed the bed as often as i should

I really like the lived in smell of our bed. It's like a little welcoming nest.

 

[sojourner]

Doesn't everyone do this Knickers, socks, tights get changed daily but everything else gets a sniff

If you leave clothes on their hangers for a few days, most aromas just dissipate. I have work kecks that I only wash max twice a year.

Also, Febreze

 

[gentlegreen]

I hear that a shocking percentage of clothes in the west are worn only once ...

 

[brogdale]

I hear that a shocking percentage of clothes in the west are worn only once ...

Bristol, eh?

 

[Ranbay]

Is anyone else starting to wear things more than once before washing them (smelling armholes and arse cracks first) plus not changing the bed as often?

Not sure i could wash my bedding less often

 

[cesare]

Not sure i could wash my bedding less often

We've all been there to be fair X