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Original poster

Shit just got my electric bill!!

587 replies

2anddone · 09/02/2022 21:57

Just got my electric bill it's gone up £200 compared to this time last year....it's going to get worse isn't it!
I have night storage heating which works on a thermostat and is set to low (17 degrees) plus a log cabin which I need to heat for my work (childcare so have to have heat!). I don't leave lights on unnecessarily, don't have my hot water heater switched on, only run my washing machine and dishwasher when they are full. The tv is on every evening but not in the daytime, don't have a tumble dryer.
I honestly can't see where I can save money on my electric bill (was over £400 this month)

OP posts:
Madmog · 10/02/2022 08:28

I know money can be tight running a business, but it might be worth get gas connected and investing in a different heating system if you plan to stay there for the foreseeable.

We are very lucky, live in a bungalow with dormers. Upstairs is very draughty when windy though and cold from cat flap. We pay £65pm. Just run out of credit and Bulb calculating we use £72pm, but obviously going to go up.

We're trying to be more careful now though. Always been good at switching lights, but TV only on if someone is really watching it, making a conscious effort to keep boiler on timed, thermostat set to 18.5c. We always cook all the veggies in a large saucepan rather than a couple.

SnaccidentsHappen · 10/02/2022 08:32

Mine has doubled since this time last year. I was then paying around £80pm bulb have just recently tried to put it up to £190ish.

Come April I won't be able to afford it if it doubles again. This is a 3 bed detached, not big by any means.

Hoping that in April we won't be using heating as often (Scotland, so who knows. Might be middle of winter then 😂). And with the lighter nights the lights won't be on till later.

It's a really sad state of affairs. 😭

SquareNotCircle · 10/02/2022 08:33

I think base layers whilst working from home (uniqlo do good ones) are the way forward.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cost of living
Cheesecakeandwineinasuitcase · 10/02/2022 08:34

@BluebellsGreenbells

Every other time the country is in recession the government kick start the building trade! The Eco summit was very recently.

I do wonder if this is some sort of forced Eco plan to get homes insulated and solar panels heat pumps etc installed in homes - increase the tariffs, reduce the cost of installation.

Not long ago solar panels were £25K on average now that’s reduced and is worth investing in.

We haven’t yet but we are considering it.

I’m not normally one who believes in conspiracy theories but I am starting to think the same. It’s very coincidental that this has suddenly escalated after COP26 and the eco protests that have been going on.
ToughLoveLDN · 10/02/2022 08:34

@Ridiculousradish

Is that right? I've got an electric key meter, and I probably spend approx £50 a month in the winter, and about £40 a month on gas. Me and a 12 year old. Heating is on for 3ish hours in the evening, washing machine on most days,
@Ridiculousradish it’s the same for us. Me, DP, and DD. I work from home and we have reptiles so lots of heating and lighting things needing electricity. Spend about £50 in the winter and £20/30 in summer
BertramLacey · 10/02/2022 08:34

Look at your laundry. Ask yourself, would I wash this now if I had to do it by hand? If the answer is no then it’s not that dirty. Underwear is washed after one use, everything else is washed when it is dirty not just because it has been worn

Errm. Surely that's just normal behaviour, not washing something until it's dirty? I'm around horses a lot and at this time of year you only have to look at them to get covered in mud yourself. Tbh even muddy stuff just gets put back on if I'm going to the yard again. But even without that, I've never felt the need to wash clothes unless they are dirty. No wonder the planets fucked.

My landlord has decided now would be a good time to put my rent up. So on top of finding extra for energy bills, I have to find more for my rent as well. I feel like every time I get my head above water, some fucker pushes me back down again. Personally I did not vote for this shit show and I'd rather it was the tossers who voted for it that paid for the mess, not me.

Tilltheend99 · 10/02/2022 08:35

@RightOnTheEdge if you just have it because it’s easy to keep track have you considered changing meter but with a smart meter. The energy companies are supposed to give everyone a free smart meter before a certain date. It tells you exactly what you are using as you use it.

KloppsTeeth · 10/02/2022 08:35

We cannot afford any price rises. I’m a full time carer for my disabled son. My husband works, but we don’t have any extra help as he earns just over the threshold. We will have to choose between heating and eating. My son needs heating as he cannot regulate his body temperature. He also needs to eat regularly because of his medication, so DH and I will be going without.

cakeorwine · 10/02/2022 08:36

Always been good at switching lights, but TV only on if someone is really watching it

TVs nowadays are really low powered.

A 100 watt TV would cost 28p to run for 10 hours (at the new price cap)

Lights are also really low powered.

ImprobablePuffin · 10/02/2022 08:43

I switched tariff to a new fixed term when all the energy companies started going bust.

I previously paid £80 p/m dual fuel and now it's £158 and that was the best deal I could get.

I appreciate the increase isn't as much as some on here but it could be potentially crippling for us.

I spent all of yesterday going through bills and cancelling any accounts and direct debits we have for luxuries eg audible, kindle subscription just to give a few more pounds each month. I've also had to cancel a monthly charity donation that I really didn't want to cancel but I'll no longer be able to afford. It's all so depressing.

Bigassbeebuzzbuzz · 10/02/2022 08:46

I'm on prepayment and my gas seems ok for now but that's probably because it's been on less than 12 hours since xmas.
We are definitely going to end up sitting in the dark. Honestly the only way I can see affording to actually live is by shop lifting if it gets much worse.

Darley368 · 10/02/2022 08:46

For any of you with a low pressure system, one thing I have realised is that I really only need the water heating on once a day. We have a foam covered water tank and it easily stays piping hot for 24 hours.

userxx · 10/02/2022 08:50

@cakeorwine

Always been good at switching lights, but TV only on if someone is really watching it

TVs nowadays are really low powered.

A 100 watt TV would cost 28p to run for 10 hours (at the new price cap)

Lights are also really low powered.

Where can we actually make cuts ? It's worrying.

itrytomakemyway · 10/02/2022 08:52

Even if you do cut your usage - any turning off lights, chargers and cooking in one pan is really going to make only a miniscule of difference - it will not really help. The standing charges are going up by a massive amount, so your bills will rise and there is nothing you can do about it.

ButterMeTimbers · 10/02/2022 08:53

I know I bang on about this but those of you who don't track your usage by kwh and know the tariffs you are on really might want to start.

It really does help to demystify energy bills and, once you've got your head around it, there are no more 'surprise' bills because you know what you are using and what you will be charged for it.

None of which helps with the high cost or the poor way the government is handling it - but it does take away that sinking feeling when a bill arrives - because you already know what it is going to say.

TakeSomeMoreTea · 10/02/2022 08:54

I may sound thick but if you get a letter to say your DD is going up and you know you are using less than last year can you ask them to reduce the DD slightly to see how you get on. As in checking every month if you are in Debit or Credit?

Tricked2003 · 10/02/2022 08:54

Have you compared the usage like for like?
Have you used the same amount over both periods?

WhiteCatmas · 10/02/2022 08:56

Did you vote for the Conservative party in the last election? Because you have them to thank for these price rises.

poorbuthappy · 10/02/2022 08:57

Don't forget the energy companies are trying to make sure that they get your money in their bank before you get into any debt. So read your meters every 2 weeks, input the figures. Work out how much you're using by doing the actual calcs and see if this differs from what they want you to pay.

TakeSomeMoreTea · 10/02/2022 08:59

@Tricked2003

Have you compared the usage like for like? Have you used the same amount over both periods?
Sorry I didn't explain properly. I haven't had a new DD yet. I think mine will be April. However, we are massively looking at ways to reduce our usage and are having a smart meter fitted. I know we have been wasting electricity and have been very stupid. So I'm thinking if they put the DD up by a lot can I reduce it slightly?

I hope that explain it better.

ButterMeTimbers · 10/02/2022 08:59

A 100 watt TV would cost 28p to run for 10 hours (at the new price cap)

TBF energy usage tends to seem like pennies when you just look at a few hours. But...

28p for 10 hours is 67p for 24 hours
67p for 24 hours is £4.70 a week
£4.70 a week is 244.60 a year

Energy savings always come from saving pennies per day on multiple devices, adding up to bigger savings across the year.

I think that's why it feels impossible. Because you look at 'turning this off saves me 5p a day' and think - that's never going to make much of a difference. But it's the cumulative impact that results in savings.

Another reason why tracking your usage help.

I realise I am evangelical about this Grin

TakeSomeMoreTea · 10/02/2022 09:03

Another question.

Do gaming computers use a lot of electricity? My Son was on it a lot whilst in lock downs for school work and for gaming.

Darbs76 · 10/02/2022 09:05

Mines reduced lately, £130 at the moment for a 5 bed house (2 rooms small though, and one an annex so I’d say 4 bed max) and that for both gas and electric. I work at home 4 days so using electricity to that plus my daughters discovered cooking and baking. I use my air fryer a lot now. No tumble dryer, that definitely adds costs

Tulipomania · 10/02/2022 09:09

Switching your lightbulbs to LEDs makes a huge difference and is a relatively small outlay upfront, as the costs have fallen a lot in the last few years.

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