energy price rises - what are your energy saving tips?

[mylittleponey]

Just read this on price increases news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7171345.stm

just wondering how everyone tries to cut down on heating, electricity & water?

My bills already cost a fortune, i can't afford more!
I feel we already do the best we can. we've got double glazing throughout, cavity wall insulation, roof insulation. Turn off all lights/tv etc when not in use. Am interested to know if there's anything else i could be doing also.

I expend a lot of wasted energy telling DH to 'turn some fucking lights off'

Actually there is a gizmo you can get which remotely turns all the lights off on a floor so you can just press it when you come downstairs etc. and whatever you've left on, gets turned off. Perfect for when you storm off in a huff after a row about the leccy bill

we live in a period, detached bungalow in a rural area in Western Scotland that sits about 50 feet from a sea loch.

for us, we keep the heat on very low constantly. cheaper than allowing the house to get really cold and then heating it back up.

on particularly cold days, we stay in the living, dining room and put the gas fire on.

keep all doors closed.

lights otu when not in use.

me too frazzled - what else can we do?

I'm interested in home generating electricty - would love to hook up dh's exercise bike to something that would power the cooker & tv!!! (does anything exist like this!!!)

Jumpers, hottie botties and blankets, and turn the heating off. Thick curtains help, too. And closing internal doors.

We don't use a tumble dryer unless it's urgent (eg, sports kit needed next day, which won't have time to dry on the radiator).

I've heard that drying stuff on radiators then lowers the heat in the room so its actually counter productive. I use tumble dryer and radiators, i'm not convinced by what i've heard. SueBaroo - turn the heating off?? I couldn't. lol

I've cut my bills dramatically over the last couple of years, despite the price rises

Only flush loo when absolutely necessary

Run washing m/c on 30deg quick wash

Only wash clothes that need washing

3 minute showers

Only use tumble dryer in dire necessity

Turn lights off

Turn down heating, and leave it off whenever possible

MLP - we did a bit of this at a festival this year, I cycled for 5 mins to make a small smoothie ! I think you need to look at solar/wind if you are serious about home generation

Och, you could, you know We do have it on for an hour to take the edge off, or if we've been out of the house. Or we just use the fire in the front room for a bit and don't bother.

Honestly, you keep warm with layers and movement just as well.

Mind you, I say that, and we live in Barbados.

(kidding!)

I try to make meals on only the small cooking ring - things like soup or pasta.

thanks for the tip minum.

LOL sue!!
Still not sure i could turn heating off. I feel the cold as does dd2. dh, ds1, ds2 and dd1 don't feel it anywhere near as much. Even in summer i usually need a cardi or something on!

Minum, does quick wash really get clothes clean? I have 4dc and wash for Britain! I usually wash on 40, sometimes 30 but never quick wash cycle. Only use tumbler for underwear, towels and bedding.

Me too, actually frazzled, I have dreadful circulation - my fingers can get like ice.

We're on an economy drive, though

Honestly, it makes sense to at least turn the thermostat down, or maybe turn some of the radiators off that are fairly pointless. We have one in our main hall, right next to the front door. Utter madness, we never have it on, because what's the point of heating up a room we only ever spend seconds in?

I'll be honest, 30c has never shifted stuff for me, which makes it a bit of a false economy in this house.

Can radiators be turned down easily? In days gone by (god im only 35!) they were turned down just by turning the knob on side, but my radiators aren't like that. No matter how much i turn nothing happens. We had thermostat valve fitted on one in bathroom and have this on very low. Rest of house doesn't have these valves and would cost too much to get it done i think. They look big and ugly anyway so wouldn't want one in my living room!

I washed the sofa covers today, they were seriously filthy, food stains, other unpleasantness, and generally very grubby. Did them at 30deg with tesco green tabs, and they have come out brilliantly, no marks, and smell lovely, the sofa looks and feels fab. This was a full length wash though, as I only do the sofa a few times a year

Am very happy with the quick wash 30 deg for the regular stuff, and we are a very dirty family, bodily fluids and food stains on everything.

I live in the kitchen, so am always warm, as the boiler is in there, and the cooker helps.

Crikey, I don't know - each of ours can be turned off individually. Thou hast me stumped there...

Minum, well, I can only imagine that we're considerably dirtier than yow

Don't use shop-bought washing stuff anymore, so I pay for my extra ten degrees that way

What do you use Sue?

Marry a man who is tight careful

Duvet sandwiches
Blankets on the sofa and chairs for snuggling into whilst watching tv
use slow cooker

frazzled, I make my own.

[hardcore]

I have an electric oven and i hate it with a passion! It uses extortionate amounts of electric and i dont like the way it cooks. According to sales rep its the bees knees!

How do you make is sue? Is it worth it? Well it must be otherwise you wouldnt make it!

Yes, it's worth it, very much so - about a mugful each of soap flakes, borax and soda crystals (which I swear by now, I think it was expatinscotland got me on to them) and about 6 pints of water on a stove (you need a VERY big pan!) Makes tons of the stuff, and it's just as good as the shop-bought variety.