Temp no more than 14C, light on only when really necessary, short showers, charge my ebike at work.
Cheers. Encouraging that it can be done. I've got electric storage heaters so I'm doomed.
What do the other residents at your house think of this ?
The mice seem fine with it.
I’ve got electric storage heaters so I’m doomed.
Only if you turn them on 🙂
The mice seem fine with it.
Ah yes it's easy to live in the dark and cold if you only have to think of one. Not really representative of the real world.
Only if you turn them on 🙂
True. I've turned all but one of them off now. But everyone has different priorities. I quite like chilling out in the evening without seeing my own breath and being able to feel my fingers.
One thing I am considering is buying a microwave. No idea why, but I've never had one in my life. Would it be more economical over the electric oven? Must be, the oven takes about twenty minutes to even warm up.
I’ve just checked what I used last year. £153 for gas and £240 for electricity. The amounts many of you are paying is quite frankly terrifying.
I just checked what I used last week. £28.21 for gas and £22.60 for electricity. That is in a fairly modern house, 3 of us, using blankets to keep warm at night on the sofa...
I live on my own in a small flat and even mine was about £1500
Blimey, but seeing you have electric storage heaters explains it. Less than £1200pa currently for 4 bed detached with 4 adults in the house so cheaper per person than Mr Barnes and his mice 😃
Edit and a whole 4.5C warmer to boot
If you have a condensing combi gas boiler, it is worth considering turning down the flow temperature on the boiler. Condensing boilers only work efficiency if the return temperature is below 45 degrees C, this would normally correspond to a flow temperature around 50-60 degrees.
Typically they are set-up to operate with a flow temperature of 80 degrees and return at 60 degrees. At these temperatures the boiler is not condensing. This can be clearly seen as as a plume of steam coming out. This will knock the efficiency back by around 10-25% when heating. This equates to 6-8% on overall gas bills (including hot water).
If you reduce the temperature, you may need to have the heating on a little longer. Depending on how your radiators are sized, you may struggle to get up to temperature on very cold days. From our own experience, it has not been a problem at all, as the house is much better insulated than when the heating system was installed.
https://www.theheatinghub.co.uk/articles/turn-down-the-boiler-flow-temperature
I just checked..... We were 561 for last year's electric according to ovo....
That's 3 of us...2 of us working from home.
Then last year we got through 400 quid of oil thanks to the low prices......
This year was 800 to fill it.
And some logs.
47%! I expected it, but.... Cripes!
I still don't understand the increase though. My average payment per month was set to be £105. (£80 for 6 months, and 130 for 6 months.) I'm now being told that my payment should £200 per month. That's nearly a 100% increase. That's not in line with all of the %s being talked about as part of the price cap increase in April. For the last 11 years I sent meter readings every month to ensure my figures were accurate, having previously been royally shafted by nPower. So a near 100% increase now and the prospect of a further near 50% increase again in October. Markets may be markets but this is disgusting. And did I read this correctly that Opec are keeping oil prices high? Is this not rank profiteering?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-6059110 7" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Oil prices
No wonder this world is goosed. Sorry - I'm in a bad place atm and maybe not thinking clearly enough to understand.
Martin Lewis says stick to the cap. That said my brother fixed back in early Jan, looked a bad deal at the time but the early cancellation fee was only about £30 so it seemed low risk, and the deal like good now! Check the early cancellation fee and ensure you can move if the fixed tariff doesn’t work for them
I did this yesterday and kinda wish I did it sooner! My old deal was due to end in May 2022, picked up a 2 year deal yesterday at cap till 2024, old deal had no exit fee, new deal has low exit fee. My DD is going from £75 to £150 though! If I had acted in Jan I could have got version 1 of the new tariff and my increase would have been less. When rates eventually start to fall, the low exit fee on current deal means I can jump onto a cheaper tariff when needed.
When rates eventually start to fall, the low exit fee on current deal means I can jump onto a cheaper tariff when needed.
I dare say that you'll be way past the point of the exit fee being applicable by the time wholesale prices fall.
As for retail prices, what makes you think they ever will come down?
oikeith - which supplier was offering the tariff you refer to?
I did this yesterday and kinda wish I did it sooner! My old deal was due to end in May 2022, picked up a 2 year deal yesterday at cap till 2024, old deal had no exit fee, new deal has low exit fee.
AFAIK the best offer available was from E.On; V11 was a one year fix at the capped unit rates, sold out immediately and was then replaced by v12 which is a two year fix at 15% above the cap.
and of course a fixed rate deal is only good if the company ofering it don't go bust. Not sure the current Ukraine situation was fully priced in, and things could get worse yet if Putin cuts the gas to Germany etc
This can be clearly seen as as a plume of steam coming out.
The plume is no indication of whether it's condensing or not. It's perfectly normal to have a thick plume when the boiler is running in condensing mode because the exhaust is at a relatively cool temperature.
You can't remove all the water from the combustion process and arguably an exhaust that isn't pluming can be an indication that the boiler exhaust is too hot.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-Temperature-External-Refrigerator-INRIGOROUS/dp/B074BSC1XD
I stuck these on the flow / return / hot water pipes by the boiler to set the temperature appropriately. They're just taped to the pipe with a smidge of thermal compound.
Does anyone have any experience or advice regarding small business energy?
Local pub owner in Bath (Bath Pub co, 3 quality gastro type pubs) said on twitter his combined energy bills for all 3 were £80k usually but he's been quoted £245k (!!) for his renewal. This will be a business killer surely for many.
I own a pub/hotel there and we've been quoted roughly double (so not as bad as him..) but our quote is for a fixed 4 years electric and a fixed 3 years gas.
Any thoughts on whether to bite on the fixed offers?
If you have a condensing combi gas boiler, it is worth considering turning down the flow temperature on the boiler. Condensing boilers only work efficiency if the return temperature is below 45 degrees C, this would normally correspond to a flow temperature around 50-60 degrees.
Typically they are set-up to operate with a flow temperature of 80 degrees and return at 60 degrees. At these temperatures the boiler is not condensing. This can be clearly seen as as a plume of steam coming out. This will knock the efficiency back by around 10-25% when heating. This equates to 6-8% on overall gas bills (including hot water).
This is all spot on, apart from the bit about a plume. My boiler has weather compensation and typically modulates to a flow temperature of 50-55 deg C. Yet a plume is still clearly visible.
This is all spot on, apart from the bit about a plume. My boiler has weather compensation and typically modulates to a flow temperature of 50-55 deg C. Yet a plume is still clearly visible.
Yes, you are right. I should have said that the plume will be more significant. From Worcester Bosch:
Along with heat, when gas or oil is burned within your boiler condensation is also created. This can be seen in the gases which plume out from the boiler, something that is especially noticeable in cold weather. However in addition to this condensate being discharged in the air, condensate also collects inside the boiler and is drained away either inside or outside your home. This is safe and nothing to worry about.
When condensing efficiently, a greeter proportion (but not all) will be condensed as water rather than in the air.
Any thoughts on whether to bite on the fixed offers?
Always remember that you're dealing with a business that ideally needs to make profit and they will be backed by analysts who want to ensure that this happens.
Generally fixed deals in any industry, whether it's a mortgage, energy, etc, will be in favour of that business. As a consumer you get certainty, but you might be better with a variable/tracker rate.
It all depends on the power of your crystal ball
It all depends on the power of your
crystal ballexit fee
With the right exit fee ...it's just hedging your bets. Unlike mortgages where exit fees can be and often are into the thousands.
I've had zero comms from octopus about any increase. although I'm ~£300 in credit, I would normally have pulled that back but decided to leave it there to buffer the rises a bit.
Exactly the same as me.
I thought I’ve have heard from Octopus by now but they’ve been eerily quiet.
I’m sure it’s coming though.
I got my updated pricing from SP this morning, had to have a wee sit down. Annual now north of 5 grand !
I got my updated pricing from SP this morning, had to have a wee sit down. Annual now north of 5 grand !
hyperventilates into paper bag....
I'm expecting the same north of £5k... let's say SP's 'fixed' tarif offer is double what I'm paying now, and I recon my bill will go up 50%, not double.
4.5k to 6.6k!!
Ha ha, no i was wrong, it's 6.8k now. Might have to turn the pool down a notch.
I'm logging my use weekly now so I can see the Kwh used in leccy.
The Hot tub is a big consumer - think 1kwh kettle on all the time. I've added insulation to the top (kingspan on the lid) and I'll be dropping the temperature when we aren't about. we're also drying washing on an clothes airer using the dehumidifier - the dryer isn't going on unless desparate.
I thought I’ve have heard from Octopus by now but they’ve been eerily quiet.
They emailed me last week to up my bill by about 20% because we're using a little bit more than expected - but that must be based on the existing capped rate as it's still less than £100/month combined.
Yes, you are right. I should have said that the plume will be more significant.
External weather conditions will also impact the visibility of any plume.
Also, only need to highlight that boiler temps should only be turned down on combi boilers, system boilers need higher temps to keep legionella at bay in the hw tank.
I have a relatively old small fridge with a small freezer compartment inside it.
It works.
Freezer box fills with ice over a period of time. Defrosting it is a chore.
I have a spare smart wi-fi plug which I could use to power down the fridge over night when not in use and only power up during the day. Maybe 8 hours on 16 hours off.
I guess this will help with both the icing up of the freezer box and reduce the amount of energy used by the fridge during the night when it is shut.
Will this damage any components of my fridge?
Will it save me any cash? Or will the fridge just work harder during the day to cool the fridge back down?
Maybe I should just adjust the thermostat?
I'm in the process of defrosting the freezer box and I've set up the smart plug already.
Will it save me any cash? Or will the fridge just work harder during the day to cool the fridge back down?
Maybe I should just adjust the thermostat?
No
Yes
Yes
Thanks for the reply.
I think I'll leave the smart plug in for the time being just so I don't forget to turn the fridge back on later.
We bought a large heavy duty clothes dryer the other day for £20. Changing our patterns this dries a whole load of washing sitting in the dining room in 24hrs, saving an estimated £1.75 vs the tumble drier per wash - 12 uses which is pretty much a week-and-half and we start saving money.
On an environmental basis I wish we'd thought of this sooner.
Will this damage any components of my fridge?
I'd be suprised, fridges / freezers work by cycling the pump on and off every few minutes for years on end. By switching it off for say 8 hours the pump will have a longer on interval come morning and I would expect it's overall life would be longer as it's normally the on/off cycling which stress motors etc.
However, I'd expect the internal temp to rise quite a bit as they leak heat quiet a bit - our freezer / fridge motors switch on/off 24/7 contintually - see our smart meter trace:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/693/21427094454_de0d917d04.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/693/21427094454_de0d917d04.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/yDrsF1 ]Neurio Energy By Minute[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
And yet an unopened freezer keeps food frozen for 48hrs.
Still not got ours yet from British Gas.
Currently on £100 a month for both. Probably don’t even use that much house stays consistently above 19 Celsius even on the coldest of days.
Maybe gets a boost to 25 once a day which takes 20 minutes.
Currently £465 in credit. Gas use in summer is probably about £20 a month.
Had this through today, mine is going up loads. No idea about leccy, it is PAYG
The Hot tub is a big consumer – think 1kwh kettle on all the time. I’ve added insulation to the top (kingspan on the lid) and I’ll be dropping the temperature when we aren’t about. we’re also drying washing on an clothes airer using the dehumidifier – the dryer isn’t going on unless desparate.
You've got a sex pond and you're worried about using a tumble dryer?
Focus should really be on how users minimise their usage and take advantage of any fixed rates - if available and competitive.
Standing charge - you can't influence it so move on.
Gas usage doesn't have day/night tariffs so...minimise usage.
Electricity - maximise usage of night tariff, minimise usage of day tariff.
All very easy to say but difficult to do.
My start point is an assumption that high unit prices and standing charges are here to stay so I've invested in heavy weight and lined curtains on all windows in addition to existing slatted blinds; improving loft insulation; DEFRA compliant wood burner is next.
I have duvets in different weights so that helps.
If WFH layer up.
After kryters ^^^ don't use a tumble dryer if possible; if you have a garden, line dry; if not, large capacity airer/ dryer.
Only boil as little water as you need when using kettle.
Does house need to be lit up like Christmas tree 🎄?
If your view is...can't afford heavy curtains or wood burner, for example, work out payback period based on modest assumptions.
Turn thermostats down by 2C or more; unoccupied rooms on frost setting only.
Cold feet? Thick socks or slippers.
It's all been said before so I apologise for any/all repetition.
And yet an unopened freezer keeps food frozen for 48hrs.
Sure, but a freezer is minus 20 plus additional energy is required for the phase change.
Free: drive at 70mph instead of 85mph on the motorway.
Cheap(ish): replace all lights with LEDs. Still surprised to see lots of people using halogen downlighters in 2021. Potentially a couple of hundred pounds saved per year for a big house.
Cheap: draught-proofing leaky window frames.
Cheap: heated blankets / throws instead of running central heating.
Cheap: programmable thermostat. The number of people who still believe that it's cost-effective to leave the heating on all the time and just turn it down a little when they go to bed is astonishing. Traditional thermostats overshoot, and on top of that are usually set too high (22C+).
Average: Extra loft insulation.
I've not included solar / heat pumps etc because they're either completely unaffordable to the people genuinely struggling with energy bills, or will be provided by councils if in council property.
Anyone in a listed building is screwed due to the slightly backwards behaviour of local councils. Likewise a listed building usually has thick stone walls so smart meters don't work, and economy 7 no longer available.
Don't forget that if you thought energy was expensive, water prices are equally likely to rocket up due to the additional costs of processing and companies protecting themselves from inflation by... encouraging more inflation.
It never occurred to me how much energy hot tubs burnt. It's not so much the cost, if you can afford it you can afford it, but the environmental impact of such a big energy use on something so peripheral to everyday life
Anyone heard anything from Edf?
