I did a huge energy audit. Unplugged everything that wasn’t being used, switch most things off at socket when not in actual use, re-deployed existing smart plugs and light bulbs so that things like phone chargers go off after an hour, and random things I forget about go off automatically at night. Stopped using electric blankets - switched to hot water bottles. Never use the tumble drier at all.
I’ve always batch cooked, so most food is microwaved. I’m planning better so I can defrost things in advance. switched to making coffee in a stovetop pot, and make two at once, putting one in flask for later. Cleared out the freezer so can manage with just a small one. I only use the oven twice a week, and I cook extra things like baked spuds or fresh bread to reheat on other days. I’m growing more staple winter veg to store and harvest in the winter, rather than use all the space for luxury treats this year. Switched to eco cycles on dishwasher and washing machine. Do fewer washes on both (I change the beds and clothes less often). I put my kiddo to bed at eight, and I go to bed too, and read.
I replaced the draught proof strip on my doors, blocked up the vents on my tumble drier and unused gas fireplace, turned my boiler flow temp down, shut up and draughtproofed the spare bedroom, dining room and office and turned the heating off in them. I turned the heat down to 17°C, with just a little extra in the morning and after school. I make everyone go for a bracing walk and wrap up in blankets. I won’t lie, April was pretty miserable. It’s ok now, though. I banned baths, except for special treats and we shower every third day.
I hate it. I’ve been miserably cold, I miss baths more than I can tell you and I loathe faffing about with plugs all the time. I also halved my shopping budget to £20, which is also no fun. I don’t care about not going out, takeaways, holidays or haircuts or any of that. When I was comfortably warm, could make myself nice meals at home and treat myself to a bath at the end of the day, I felt lucky. Broke, yes, but warm, well fed and comfortable, and I took a lot of solace in that. Now I’m just enduring.
I have managed to reduce my electric/gas bills to about £70 a month, which is significantly better than predicted. They were about £80 pre-March, and predicted to be £165, so it has been helpful. However, I can’t bear the thought of a winter like this. I’m fortunate things have already improved a little for me, and I expect further improvements over the summer, which should hopefully push us back into being able to heat the house a bit more and spend on better food. It’s not a lot, cost wise - perhaps £130 a month - but the difference in quality of life is astonishing. I would have taken a side job in the evenings rather than put us through that. I still might.