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Hacks to reduce energy costs

Well, it was certainly a very long winded (and costlier) way of making hot buttered toast and marmite!
Have to agree with her on not liking tea made with microwaved water though. It has a very different taste to tea made with water boiled in the kettle.
 
Post Xmas update, and the biggest hack of them all. Don;t invite elderly relatives for the 12 days of Xmas. They are expensive to run.

In the month prior to Xmas, there was a cold snap. and my fuel bill (gas + electric) was £97. Then the relatives came. On went the heating, and the kettle and the oven and the grill were used ad libiteum. We had the visitors from the weekend before Xmas till just after New Year. My fuel bill for that month was £377. we had three tv's on almost constantly - 2 spouting Xmas streaming tunes. like a demented jukebox.. I never want to hear ersatz streaming copies of so called Xmas Cheer again. Its bad enough with the supermarkets, but I could not escape the muzak torture in my own home, I slept badly since the heating had to be on all night too. And elderly aunts must be kept warm at all times.

So it was an expensve time. Compared to the year before, the wattage used was similar, but the charges seem to be 4X. However, the Winter Fuel Payment covers it, so I suppose I should not cry into my cups too much. I am not destitute.
 
Oldvatr said:
Post Xmas update, and the biggest hack of them all. Don;t invite elderly relatives for the 12 days of Xmas. They are expensive to run.

In the month prior to Xmas, there was a cold snap. and my fuel bill (gas + electric) was £97. Then the relatives came. On went the heating, and the kettle and the oven and the grill were used ad libiteum. We had the visitors from the weekend before Xmas till just after New Year. My fuel bill for that month was £377. we had three tv's on almost constantly - 2 spouting Xmas streaming tunes. like a demented jukebox.. I never want to hear ersatz streaming copies of so called Xmas Cheer again. Its bad enough with the supermarkets, but I could not escape the muzak torture in my own home, I slept badly since the heating had to be on all night too. And elderly aunts must be kept warm at all times.

So it was an expensve time. Compared to the year before, the wattage used was similar, but the charges seem to be 4X. However, the Winter Fuel Payment covers it, so I suppose I should not cry into my cups too much. I am not destitute.
Click to expand...
I'm glad I'm not your grandma!
 
JTL said:
I'm glad I'm not your grandma!
Click to expand...
Good coz she aint on the planet now. You would also have to be getting to be over 100. Both my grandmas went through the wars, and grew up making do and mend, and being very frugal with it, so my wish to preserve my assets is a concept they would be very knowledgeable about. at least I don;t save string, or milk bottle tops or premium bonds. Got a goodly collection of rubber bands though, and I did collect stamps.
 
Well I wouldn't have minded being an elderly relative of yours over Christmas @Oldvatr At least I'd have been warm, instead of really cold some days, but ouch what a high bill!!
 
Oldvatr said:
Post Xmas update, and the biggest hack of them all. Don;t invite elderly relatives for the 12 days of Xmas. They are expensive to run.

In the month prior to Xmas, there was a cold snap. and my fuel bill (gas + electric) was £97. Then the relatives came. On went the heating, and the kettle and the oven and the grill were used ad libiteum. We had the visitors from the weekend before Xmas till just after New Year. My fuel bill for that month was £377. we had three tv's on almost constantly - 2 spouting Xmas streaming tunes. like a demented jukebox.. I never want to hear ersatz streaming copies of so called Xmas Cheer again. Its bad enough with the supermarkets, but I could not escape the muzak torture in my own home, I slept badly since the heating had to be on all night too. And elderly aunts must be kept warm at all times.

So it was an expensve time. Compared to the year before, the wattage used was similar, but the charges seem to be 4X. However, the Winter Fuel Payment covers it, so I suppose I should not cry into my cups too much. I am not destitute.
Click to expand...

Think of it as part of your gifts to them. :) That, and hope for a mild rest of winter.
 
OK Quick update. Comparing year 21/22 against 22/23 for complete 12 months period each

Gas consumption was 14,242 kwh became 6871 kwh
Electric consumption was 3790 kwh became 2593 kwh

So yes, my hacks have paid off. I also earned £20 back for minimising electric consumption during the Gov Energy Saving Days.
 
Gosh, @Oldvatr , that's quite a reduction in gas consumption. Respec'.

What we pay for energy in this country is bonkers. Having spent 3 months in Thailand, our electricity bill was 4-500 bhat a month. (We have no gas there.) That equates to £10-12.50 a month.

OK, we didn't cook meals, but did use the kettle etc, as well as water pumps and the 24/7 ceiling fan. We have air conditioning there, but neither of uslike the dry air it generates, and we don't go to the tropics to live in a fridge.
 
Converting those savings from the previous year, and using current tariff pricing, I saved £1,205 off my gas, and £765 off my electric. a saving slightly short of £2,000 I was paying £180 a month in 2021, and I am still paying the same (after the £400 offset has ended) The difference is that in 2021 I was building up a small safety net, which I still have, and this last month I was charged £150 but paid £180. so I am still slightly in credit. Roll on Summer.
 
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