Any tips on saving £ on water & electric bills ?

[TheGardenisMine]

Am newly on UC and also find myself single at a ripe old age !

I've merrily just watched utilities being paid by Direct Debit but am now living or existing on pennies.

I've rung the utilities and the bills are correct. I just need to cut my usages.

So far I've boiled kettle once in morning for tea and filled a thermos with remaining water to use during day. I've not used my tumble.

But I need more ideas ?

Also am happy to hear any other money saving ideas.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

If it's yellow its mellow if it's brown flush it down.

[Gizlotsmum]

Have you changed supplier recently? Are you gas and electric? Are you on a water meter?

[RuggyPeg]

Have you changed your supplier? I've just moved to bulb and made a great saving. Make sure you're on a competitive tariff.

I can't stand being hot, so I rarely have the heating on. I use a hot water bottle if I get chilly.

Just be super disciplined with water. Try and reuse as much as possible. If you have a garden/flowers/plants, save any water and use it 2nd hand for watering.

[adaline]

Shop around the suppliers to find the cheapest rate.
Energy saving lightbulbs.
Turn appliances off at the wall when not in use.
Charge things like laptops etc and then unplug until necessary.

[LoafofSellotape]

When we moved to a house with a water meter I spent one month being super careful and managed to knock the bill down £5. So I give up with monitoring that too closely and just try and cut down other bills instead.

Wrt the kettle,fill your cup up and use just that water to boil,rather than faffing with filling flasks?

[TheGardenisMine]

Yes on meter. Only lived here 7 months so no not changed supplier.

Flushing loo .. brilliant!

Garden..thanks to weather here the last few weeks that's not been an issue but yes I need to reuse washing up water . I don't have a hose.

[TheGardenisMine]

I'm definitely going to be unplugging and have cheaper electric at night so washing machine and charging overnight will have to become normal.

[NeverSurrender]

Not flushing leaves your toilet stained if you live in a hard water area!

[adaline]

If it's yellow its mellow if it's brown flush it down.

Please don't do this - it really stinks! I'm all for saving water but leaving pee to "mellow" is just unhygienic - unless you live alone. My dad was one of those who didn't flush after going for a wee and using the toilet after him (especially first thing in the morning if he'd left a wee all night) was utterly disgusting.

It costs about 1.5p to flush a toilet!

[Gizlotsmum]

If you have cheaper energy at night put your washing machine on then, rather than during the day. Do you have a combi boiler? If not set your hot water to only come on when you need it.
Showers instead of baths. Ensure nothing left on standby

[LoafofSellotape]

I agree with flushing the loo every time you use it!

There's things you can buy to put in your cistern to make it only do half a flush. I think you can use a brick too but that might be too big for modern loos.

[LoafofSellotape]

Don't turn WiFi off at night,it should be kept running all the time.

[wildcherries]

I turn off things on standby, unplug at the wall while appliciances aren't in use and only charge laptops and phones overnight. And I take short showers.

The heating isn't on until late October/early November and comes off in March. I use blankets and a jumper if needed.

But never would I not flush the toilet for the reasons mentioned by PP.

[TheGardenisMine]

All great thank you.

I only have a shower but have been guilty of staying in there for a long time so am thinking of a timer.

In the colder months I have a fireplace rather than using radiators. I've been collecting bits of wood etc ready for that time. Plus I'm not adverse to an extra blanket or jumper.

With regards to any other £ saving tips , I already batch cook and freeze. Am happy to hear of anything else to save some money though.

[Gizlotsmum]

Your water company may have a scheme where you can claim help. Give them a call.