What are you all doing to save £ on energy?!

[koalalala]

Evening All,

I know there are lots of threads about the prices rises but wondered what we are all doing in response to keep head above water and save a few quid?
Any tips or tricks?

Our fixed rate ended in Feb to make matters worse we moved to a much larger house that's a bit of a doer uper last Jan. it's super inefficient... currently using about £160 a month on gas & electric (old prices).

The real answer is we need all new windows and doors but it's completely unaffordable at the moment. A bit concerned about the rising cost of living with another baby due in August and another maternity leave looming. We'll be okay but we will certainly have to cut back and be careful about use-age.

I took all the meter readings yesterday. Turned thermostat down from 20 to 18. we currently have the hearing and hot water on for 2 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening when it's coldest.

We're being careful about switching off lights and appliances and the warmer weather should help with less tumble dryer use and less heating required.

What else are you all doing?

Cavity wall insulation
Loft insulation
Double glazing
Door curtains
Curtains behind radiators or on windowsills
Draw curtains when dark
Economy 7
Solar panels.

Defrosted chest freezer the other day, cleared out tall freezer and switched it off (we had 2 huge freezers in the garage, from when we used to keep pigs with the neighbours) saving £6 a month.
Turning off Xbox at the wall as it uses quite a bit on standby (I measured it at £15 a year).
Haven't used my tumble dryer for a month (was on 5+ times a week) - bought a bit airer in Lidl for £14.99, which has paid for itself already and actually not as much of a pain as I thought. I move it to the patio on a dry day.
Cooking more economically. Using oven less. Bought an Instant Pot.
Hot water was on 8 hours a day, cutting it down to 4hrs and will keep tweaking until it's as low as we can while still having enough water (DH got stroppy there wasn't hot water the other day, I must have cut it too much!).
Dehumidifier on when drying washing indoors if humidity goes over 60 (I have a little thermometer/hygrometer).

Reading MN for tips.....

I don't know what we will do. Old house, solid walls, badly insulated and sat on a windy hill.

I don't have a tumble dryer. We have an old fashioned Sheilamaid for an airer. No microwave, no slow cooker, no hot water bottles, no heated blankets. So I guess I'll be shopping for these soon. I have never owned any of these items. I cook everything from scratch daily, I guess I'll have to find some savings on food, but also how I cook.

I feel the cold to the point of total exhaustion and dozing off when I stop shivering. We have the heating on 20 all day/night in winter.

I can't see any way around the situation. I'm not prepared to be as cold inside as outside. Plus no heating, airing clothes and increased moisture levels will make me ill as I have severe mould spore allergies.

Thus far my only plan is to take on more work :(

My main change will be go to the office more!
Also swim/gym sauna a couple of times a week and shower and wash hair there.

Turned heating to 15 last month (so basically off). If cold, and we're all at home, will light wood burner. Daily washes and occasional shower/bath. Heat kettle on stove for hot water bottles. Wear layers, scarves, hat indoors if chilly.
Go to work and enjoy free heating! Can also charge devices at work.
Cook hot food in large batches so can just reheat as required for more meals.
Kids on packed lunches. I don't always eat with them at dinner etc as I'm "too busy".
Can highly recommend any of Jack Monroe's cookery books for cheap meal ideas.

I reduced the heating in the morning from 3 hours to 1 and we didn't notice the difference so that's great

No baths.

Shower every other day.

Half the lights on in the kitchen (we have 20 spotlights which can be half on/half off over different parts of the room).

Everything switched off at the wall when not in use.

A ‘TV, laptop, iPad or phone but not all at once’ rule so we’re not using the TV as background noise. This has definitely reduced the amount of time we are charging.

Charging the phone when in the car to keep it topped up.

Reduced the use of the oven.

Only wash/dishwash when got a full load.

No use of the tumble drier whatsoever.

Start to dry outside when weather improves (I am too reliant on my Lakeland drier at the moment).

Same as everyone really:

• smart timers on plugs for things like TV and computers, so they can be off during the quiet hours
• low energy bulbs
• heating down (18c in morning and evening, 16c during the day)
• trying to cook several things at once and use the slow cooker more
• reduced laundry (wearing things a bit more before sending for wash) and at lower temps
• eco settings on washer and dishwasher
• no tumble
• quicker showers, less/no baths

We're also slightly overpaying our energy bills right now - just by about £20pm, in the hope that helps build up some extra credit for next winter when things could get even more expensive. I think we're also thinking we'll need to prioritise which rooms to heat next winter (i.e. leave the hallways colder and close doors the keep the lounge warmer).

We're lucky the house is already well insulated and double glazed with newer windows, so this reduces heat loss.

I have started taking an empty thermos flask to work and using the boiler at work to make my tea. I used to make a travel mug up at home. I also fill the flask with boiled water at work just before I leave so I have hot water for my evening cuppa.
I have stopped using the oven so much and use the slow cooker and soup maker a lot more. I have started batch cooking which is also saving money on my weekly food bill.
Thermostat is down to 18.c but the heating is actually off tonight and it’s not too bad.
I have one lamp on with a low watt bulb and a small candle burning (it’s like the olden days)!