Lockdown energy bills when homeschooling

[Candiscophonous]

This is going to be such a massive struggle for many families. The government probably need to prepare for the fact that many families with children at home will really struggle with energy bills this year. Bills can easily double, or treble, or worse, when there are twice or thrice the amount of people at home all day. Heating on during the day when many families would usually be saving on this by being at work.
So firstly just a reminder to keep an eye on your usage when the children are home (or face a very nasty shock when the bill comes, as I did!) and secondly I’m wondering what the government are doing to protect families who will find themselves in spiraling energy debt due to the pandemic?
Its going to be a huge added pressure to families over the next few freezing months.

My heating bill has gone through the roof! My special ds strips off down to his pants and it’s hard to keep him warm enough if the heating is off for any length of time. I’d really appreciate any help with my heating bills!

Looking at where draughts are is useful for retaining heat, there are useful tips here like filling in cracks between floor boards https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jan/14/cold-as-ice-how-to-stay-warm-without-whacking-up-the-heating?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

The warm homes grant is not just for older people.
Certain benefits entitle you to it depending on what you earn/circumstances.
I got it this year because my income has dropped due to being furloughed most of the year.
Its £140. Your supplier should have details on their website.
Its easy to apply for, they credited my account about 5 days later.

Is anyone in your family working from home because they’ve been told too as if so you can get extended tax free allowance. I know this doesn’t cure the issue but many people don’t know: blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2020/04/martin-lewis--working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus--claim-p6-wk-/

My electricity consumption has almost doubled per day, which really isn’t offset by not commuting. Using just shy of £10 a day in electricity most days, and even then there’s only one room being heated mostly.

DH has been WFH for a few years so not a huge change here. However, when our DDs moved out last year for Uni all utility costs halved. We really noticed the difference when both were back for a month over Christmas.

Fully agree. I am keeping an eye. But really, nothing I can do.

Mine is definitely offset by not commuting as that is £15 a day!

I am grateful we installed hive heating last year though, it makes it much more controllable.
We pay £166 a month for gas and electric. House is enormous and has single glazing so not too bad.

We are usually at home so no increase for us.
But if we ever see the heating bills running high, we switch off and wear more layers.
You can wear lots of layers and be as warm as toast.
Go to bed earlier or have some throws on the sofa.
Turn lights off, invest in those extension cables that you can switch everything off.
Put foil down the radiators, and cling film round windows.
Will be the next announcement.

@hoppingonstwppingstones I am in the same position as your friend. Wouldn't rush to put the heating on for myself WFH but will for my children.

Not home schooling but have two kidults who've moved back in for lockdown and both working from home, one of whom is in a room with an electric heater. I've been scared to look at the smart meter!

@AdoraBell do you know what they were doing that was costing so much? Hot showers?
Interesting that it seems only heating causes such a hike in consumption. My heating is on a timer, haven’t changed anything there. But usage has gone through the roof.

Actually making me think there may be some mistakes.

It does make a difference having more people at home. When I’m home alone WFH, i wrap up warm and have a hot water bottle to defrost extremities, so the heating stays off all day.
By the time the kids are at home, I’m not that mean, so I do put the heating on a bit.

I am worried about the next energy bill.

I bought a heated blanket today, it’s amazing. Will be wrapping myself up in that from now on and turning the heating off

One having baths twice a day and the other using the shower to warm up rather than use a jumper 🤦‍♀️

Ah @AdoraBell I think I can assume my teens have similar habits !

Ours has gone up too, but am saving by not commuting to work, so swings and roundabouts (kind of).

That heated blanket looks good Tomorrow, I use my fluffy dressing gown as a house coat, and fleece blankets in the evening when I’m sitting down.

And YY Candiscophonous I think lots of teens have similar habits. One of mine, the one who used the shower to warm was horrified by the costs of food etc when she moved to Uni. Also, newly horrified when home for Christmas because prices in SW are higher than in Liverpool.