Tips to keep energy prices low

[lancslass17]

So stuck with high prices give me your tips on reducing usage.

Move to France.

@lovelyupnorth don't speak French and doubt they would understand my lancashire accent!

Do you WFH?? If so my top tip is buy an electric fleece for sitting at your desk and for evenings on the sofa.

Wear layers.

Turn thermostat down.

Efficient use of oven.

Close curtains before it gets dark to stop heat escaping thru windows .

Unplug everything not in use.

Cardboard covered in tinfoil behind radiators

Thick everything clothing

If the oven is on, use it for everything you need then leave it open once off to heat the kitchen.

Curtains over doors and draft excluders.

All the blankets and covers, fleece onsies for children (no hoods if sleeping in them)

Even when trying to keep heat in on the cheap, don't forget to air the house out at least once a day to stop mould.

Think about all things that need heat.

Quick showers (I have it down to 3 minutes)

Make sure washing machine is full, avoid tumble dryer, wash according to weather

Save all dish washing for one daily wash, rinse in cold water

When the heating is off don't let yourself get cold as its harder to warm up than keep warm iyswim (warm layers and moving around helps)

I have a heat pad that I plug in when I am sitting still (costs pennies to run and stops the cold from setting in). You could also use a hot water bottle but will need topping up with hot water

Only fill the kettle with exactly what you need

Avoid using oven, but if you do make sure there are a few things in there for bulk cooking then let the heat out to warm up the room

Turn hob right down as soon as things have heated up, use pans with lids

Use rooms where you get the most sun

A plumber told me central heating a whole house is cheaper than one gas/electric fire

Blankets and dressing gowns

As soon as the heating goes off retire to bed to watch tv/computer (better if your bedroom is upstairs because the heat will rise and take longer to cool)

I know it all sounds grim but daily changes to habits do add up. Good luck x

Invest in a flask. Fill it up once a day with hot water and you can have it all day to top up your hot drinks. Means you only need to boil the kettle once.

Cold wash setting on the washing machine - heating water is 90% of the cost. I throw in laundry sanitizer just in case! I turn off the heat dryer function on the dishwasher - use air dry.

Air fryer rather than heating up oven for one or two things. If you are going to use the oven, make sure you cook a few things at once.

Heated throw or blankets for the couch, electric blankets for beds. Slippers, thermals, jumpers. These all help to keep you warm so you don't need to turn on the heating as much.

Tackle any areas where cold is getting into the house- seal cracks, gaps in window frames, around door frames, under doors. Curtains on windows.

If you have an air-conditioner - see if it has a reverse cycle. Heating that way is far cheaper than turning on the heating.

If working from home - good thermal tshirt, slippers and woolly fluffy socks. Lidl had thermal leggings on offer last week.

Have this year bought an (unused) army blanket from an army supplies shop for DS who used to complain was cold in bed under multiple duvets. Gamechanger and he brings it out and lies snugly on sofa under it too. £18. I've made a wool throw from deadstock material (poundametre.com) - bought 3 metres for £10, and made a cape and a mahoosive throw which I have on my lap when working. Absolutely brilliant and means haven't needed heating on (and feel proud too.)

Extra curtains for doors etc can be got cheap from facebook marketplace or charity shops. I've put some up this year for the first time behind our blinds, and it is making a big difference too. You can get no drill curtain poles from amazon.

I use my dressing gown like a house coat. Also, fleece blankets for when I’m sitting.

Ski socks are brilliant for keeping toes warm. All mine are from Aldi, their ski gear lands in November or December.

Thin layers are better than thick ones and easier to cool down by removing one if you do get too hot. Moving around rather than sitting still for too long. (Should do it every so often anyway).