Comparing usage from 2021.
3 bed bungalow. my energy Direct Debit has doubled since last Sept . When I moved here 18 months ago my energy costs were a 1/3 of what they had been in my old, drafty, family house, so I think I was quite complacent and enjoying not having to worry about the bills - well that didn't last long 🤷🏼♀️
I thought it would be interesting to see how much difference my conscious energy saving attempts were making - nothing huge, but
- using a kettle on the gas rather than electric,
- putting the toaster away in a cupboard (unless I have visitors)
- not using the Electric oven as much, cook more on hob and microwave
- lights off in rooms when I leave them etc.
- reduce tumble dryer use
- When the electric pump went on the shower I didn't replace it when I realised there was still a perfectly adequate (but not very luxurious) gravity fed stream of water ( I definitely now spend less time in the shower and I don't steam up the room so don't need to put the extractor fan on - just open the window).
- I cut the hot water "on" period from 1hr to half an hour (with a boost on days I might be using a lot or have a visitor). (gas)
- Cut my thermostat temp down from 21 to 20 (gas) and layered up.
I checked the local temperatures / weather for Sept 21 and Sept 22.
Pretty much the same.
Results
Sept 21 Electricity 437 KWh
Sept 22 Electricity 292 KWh
Sept 22 Gas 377 KWh
Sept 22 Gas 188 KWh.
So 145 KWh saved in Electric = £51.20, Gas 189 KWh saved so £19.16
So over £70 "saved" (assuming same amount used at this year's prices).
I'm guessing the big electric saving is the shower and the kettle/toaster, the gas saving is on lowering the thermostat and cutting the amount of hot water.
I think I'm going to carry on doing the comparison over winter as it's really encouraged me to keep making changes. I was surprised that the electric savings were so high tbh as I switched all the lights to LED when I moved into this house 18 months ago (they were halogen 😧) and didn't think I was a careless user, (already switch things off at the plug when not being used as was trained into that habit by my dad!).
I know there will be more washing over winter and less opportunity for line drying, but have put some of those "pressure" shower curtain poles (the ones you twist into place, no drilling) above the tank in the airing cupboard and now have hanging space for wet clothes in what was "dead space".
I've got the heated throw ready for winter and lovely new furry slipper boots in the sale.