How do I reduce my electricity bills?

[laura032004]

Probably the wrong topic, but..

I've just phoned in an 'actual' reading to the elec company, and it was loads more than the estimate, leaving us £180 in debt to them. Not a major problem, as we were in credit with the gas, so just transferred that across, but it's left me wondering why we're using so much more than the 'average' family that they base their estimates on.

I am guilty of - leaving the computer on 24/7, leaving lights on at night (hallway/toilet/DS's room), leaving all elec appliances on at night (microwave/kettle/toaster/TV etc) and using the tumble drier quite a bit during the winter. Last night I did my best - turned everything off in the kitchen, turned the computer and the whole TV setup off etc, but it took ages.

Basically, what I want to know is what is going to make a major difference? Any tips for easy things I can do? I know I must go out and get all energy saving lightbulbs again. We're 75% of the way there, but I bought a load which were screw rather than bayonet fitting so thought I had loads, but they don't go in our lightsockets.

Ah ha, it all becomes clear - our fridge has a dial from 0 - 10, so 0 is the warmest, and 10 is the coldest. I should have thought about what you could have meant before I typed!

I stopped using our tumble dryer 3 months ago (was using it about once a day), just had this quarter's bill and it's £85 less than the previous quarter (and I expected it to be more because it's winter so lights on more etc).

Shannaratiger - Maplin, Farnborough, Hampshire. It was the only one they had.

Your supplier should be able to give you energy saving tips too. I wasn't using the night storage as efficiently as I could have been, something to do with the input and output settings, so that is worth checking out. Also, what is your tariff? I am on economy 7, so do laundry at night. But, I didn't know the times changed in winter and summer time, so have to allow for that.
I also have 2 waterheaters, a peak one and an off peak one. I never use the peak one.
I have changed supplier, and found that ecotricity were far cheaper than EON, but it varies on where you live.
Switching everything off at the plug is one of the most efficient things you can do, it's amazing the difference it makes.

does using a dimmer switch on the lowest setting use the same as it on full

Strict with lights off
Turn off washing machine, microwave and dishwasher fully. (Can't really unplug them but might try it)
Don't tumble dry any more.
Half load every day on a quick wash, mini load setting (still on 40 might try 30 for a bit).
Limit shower time with a kitchen timer, kids were bad for long showers.
All chargers unplugged when not in use.

All of this has nearly halfed my last bill compared with previos bill when I didn't do all this. I am very anal about power now and interested in the fact that appliances might still be drawing power even when off, will check that out.

most of our stuff u can't get to the plugs to turnit off which is really annoying the down stairs telly u can't turn off the washing machine u can't the fishtanks u can't the computer is a pain cos we have to leave the phone plugged in and my telly upstairs is a pain to do but i can just about get behing there t oturn it off i am checking ho wmuch leccy we use as we are on a meter to see what we use lasst night we only used bout 30p

You can get remote control extensions that you can turn off remotely babyjjbaby, for things like the telly if you need to, but it's worth monitoring how much they use and seeing if it's worth it (as you are doing) as they might not be 'hungry' appliances when off, and I can't help thinking remote control extensions must use some residual power in any case.

This all makes very interesting reading - so thanks for tips so far, and thank you Laura for starting the thread. I'm going to start a real economy drive with the electricity, and will use all your pointers.

But can I ask, do some appliances still use a small amount of electricity if they are plugged in, even if the socket is switched off at the wall? Do you have to physically remove the plug to stop all usage? A definite answer would be much appreciated

Gladbag, if the socket is switched off then no electricity can flow so the appliance can't use any You don't need to take the plug out.

Thanks snorkle - that's what I'd assumed, but there seemed to be some emphasis on actually unplugging stuff, or it being 'unplugged' so thought I'd check

I think people pull the plug out 'to be on the safe side' in case the switch is broken or wired in wrong, but I think that would be rare.

haha don't be like me and forget u have unplugged the kettle and wait ages for it t oboil then realise it wasn't plugged in duh

I do that too, a lot.
I bought a thermos jug from Ikea so when on a late one (studying) I have lots of coffee without boiling the kettle.

Miaou, we have storage heaters too (i hate them) didn't realise you could switch them off and then back on again during the day. Do you switch them off at the wall socket then? If you turn the output down during the day would you have more heat to let out in the evening? Sorry for all the questions, but mine are the bane of my life, they are boiling during the day but we all freeze at night!!!
Also i find them so expensive, don't really see how i can make my massively expensive elec bill any cheaper cos of the heaters.

Turn off lights, use low energy lightbulbs.
Close doors to keep heat in esp if your heating is electric.
Turn things off at the wall and never leave anything on standby. Unplug chargers etc.

Wash at 30oC on a quick wash and don't tumble dry if you can help it, or tumble dry on low heat.