To think that a lot of cost saving suggestions are a false economy and actually aren’t that cost saving at all?

[GhostFromTheOtherSide]

So increasingly there are suggestions as to how to save energy.

Buy an electric throw/electric blanket/microwave/slow cooker/air friar.

And then people will tell you that these cost almost nothing to run.

Except they often cost £££ to buy, and if you settle for cheap you’re settling for a false economy.

Electric blankets/throws are notoriously unreliable and have a tendency to break.

Air friars are small so if you want to cook whole meals in them you need something like a double drawer ninja which costs a fortune.

So while you will be saving money on the energy, you’re actually going to be spending it on the measures to save on the energy.

Obviously if you already have these items then the cost has already gone.

But if you don’t then surely people should be thinking twice about whether to rush out and spend money they potentially don’t have on items which are going to cost them anyway?

Those oil filled radiators can cost loads to run, we have one in our downstairs toilet and storage area in the winter to stop any damp as there is no radiator in there, even when electric was quite cheap I only used to put it on in the economy 7 times to take the chill off. I won't be using it much this year.

This does not sound that crazy to me at all.
I can think of libraries and schools opening till late so pupils can do their homework there, in a warm and lit building. Which I think the goverment shpuld consider straight away, because some kids may be already affected severely by the prices increase. Food is increasing at a fast rate, rent, bills....

But for many others, that is only if the prices get well beyond. If they actually get to the ridiculous quotes energy companies are dealing out to customers.
The actual retail of gas, if I am not wrong, has been more than 10 times its previous rate, correct me if I am wrong please.
I can also think of people staying longer on shopping centres, work places, community centres in the evening, to keep busy, and a bit warm and going home to sleep only. But, yes, these places may close earlier because they cannot afford the heating.
We will see. I think all depends on how bad bad becomes.

I’m involved in a church and I know that in loads of places churches, statutory agencies and charities are getting together to see if between them they can organise some communal warm spaces for people. It’s very sad.

That's rubbish. I use an air fryer and my induction hob for pretty much everything. Haven't cooked a meal that would need the oven in months. I'd be surprised if you eat better than me but who knows.

Once you put the oven on, you can cook alot of things at once. A large piece of meat, veggies, all with the same Kw, so makes sense for a big family. I do mot have a pot or air frier that fits a medium or large chicken.

I don't disagree with the idea in principle but knowing that library services have been cut to the bone, schools were desperately struggling with budgets well before covid and, I imagine many other community services are not well funded, I just wonder how the communal spaces will afford it (in terms of heating/fuel and in terms of staff/volunteers)
You say you think of schools staying open late....but who will facilitate that? and will the school be warmer than home? (heating larger areas is harder than heating small rooms) Pupils can't stay on their own and I can't imagine there will be budget to recruit staff to supervise them, or pay existing members of staff to work longer.
I don't disagree with the idea its more how will it work in practice.
Although I did see on fb, a bakery that had opened rooms above their bakehouse for people to meet in as the rooms were warm from the ovens (I'm not entirerly sure what the rooms were previously used for )

Thanks so so much for working on it.
It is really sad indeed, but we will make it! Together we will.

It will have to be with volunteers, likely parents. The pertinent checks and surveillance will be needed for safeguarding, of course.
And the goverment has to fund the extra cost.
It has to be cheaper to keep the school/ library lit and warm for a few more hours, than electric and heating in 500-1000s homes (mine is in secondary, so they are 1000+ pupils). There is also the access to computers and the internet, which is relevant for older primary, secondary and uni/ college students.
Better to pay for the schools to be well maintained than risk the kids education any further. Covid has already had too much on an effect. More of this and these poor children will not be ready for the job market. They may need to sit another year to catch up.

YABU OP even our Prime Minister spelled it out clearly when he said if you spend £20 on a new kettle you will save £10 per year every year on your electricity bill. That’s a big saving!

The numbers have even been verified by Diane Abbot.

Can you explain why a new kettle saves you money?

You can get foam weatherstripping tape which goes in the gaps - cheap and makes a big difference!

My school shuts the heating off at 2pm every day already, to save money.
By the time staff meetings come around at 3.30pm it's already freezing and we sit there in our coats hoping to go home soon.

It will get worse this year with the increased costs (no price cap for schools) and I can imagine heating going off at 12pm.

And schools can't afford to pay extra for staff to supervise kids after school. So no, schools are out as an option.

My air fryer is a basic one from Wilko that cost me £40. I don't eat junk and use it every day. I can roast a chicken in it, cook wedges for 4 adults, all sorts of lovely food!

The biggest money savers are always going to cost the most, I’ve always thought that. Sadly, not everyone has the means to buy them. Take solar panels, big outlay but at today’s prices it’s a great option. However, renters can’t even get them (unless the landlord is keen) Agree with the OP 100%

As above. No price cap for schools mean their bills will be even higher.

The government can't even be bothered to fund the pay rise, do you think they will fund schools to stay open longer?

Most of the buildings are so poorly maintained they lose heat everywhere. My room has several blinds missing and is in one of those metal containers which lose heat permenently. Others have all glass walls where heat is leaking out permanently. Others have acutal holes in walls. I once worked in a school with a leaking roof, which couldn't be fixed. In my current school, about 25% of computers don't work and we don't have many to start with. There is no budget to cope with either of those issues.

And what parents can volunteer? Those that are at home, are at home for a reason - be it small children at pre-school age, disabilities, mental health issues and we have a lot of parents who don't work, never have and who are on the SS radar, many also have a criminal record. Many of our other parents work full time, work double shifts, work extremely hard just to keep a roof over their heads.

I don't think we'd get enough reliable volunteers, especially as we would still need safeguarding and first aid staff on site and our poor caretakers can't be asked to suddenly extend their hours, either - and they'd insist on being paid, quite rightly.

@miserablecat I think some local authority areas will be trying to nominate some buildings as 'warm hubs' where people will be able to go to during the day time this coming winter . I have seen this mentioned in local news. Whether there will be enough spaces for the need is another matter .

The warm hubs are a good idea. Apparently Liz TrustMe is going to organise group huddles there just like emperor penguins - so she can turn the heating off and save government money.

I used to turn thermal curtain liners upside down and thread them on to a net curtain wire. Some hooks to hold the wire and you're warmer without breaking the bank.

thermal liners make a huge difference. Just do the room you spend the most time in if you are struggling. I say this as someone on a limited budget still, that lived in a static caravan in the coldest winters. if you can manage just to have one pair, you will feel the difference.

if you have a spare duvet, put it under the bottom sheet on your bed over winter.

check charity shops for door curtains - external doors can really bring temperatures down.

everyone has different circumstances and you just need to find the tips that are right for yours.

I moved into an old house 13 years ago and our energy bills were astronomical. Best and cheapest solutions to people who cant afford to insulate or get new boilers or even buy a new kettle is to eliminate all draughts.
Draught insulating tape on the windows and around doors. Draught excluders- even made with old tights. Walk around the house and see where the draughts are coming from and sort it temporarily. Shut all doors. Sit under sleeping bags when you are watching TV. Hot water bottles are your new best friend.

We have done other things over the years that cost money and our bills are about 1/3 of what they were even with the new pricing.

Must admit I like my air fryer but it's a £49 salter one and there are only 2 of us. I do still use oven though but a lot less and for things like cottage pies or baking salmon

I don’t know I’m just trusting what the Prime Minister of our country said. Maybe ask him?

I would love to.

You are aware that the prime minister of our country is Boris Johnson, are you?

If you are, there's this wire transfer I urgently need to send to your bank account, if you could just send me the details...

Those who are suggesting that they might like to buy in bulk to benefit from the savings but don’t have the storage why don’t you get together with your family and then split it between you that’s what we do one of us will go to Costco buy a years worth of toilet paper for buttons and then we divvy it up.

we also have a friend with a Costco card he will happily meet us there every couple of weeks and helps us to save money. I’m sure most people have that in their network.

No all schools are placed in such inefficient buildings.
Community centres or others that may be suitable can do.
But warm hubs as PP mentions are an option, to keep children able to have a good education and not to be yet again delayed by other blow.