[Misc] Suggestions to save energy this winter…

[nicko31]

Well whatever assistance comes from the government everyone in the UK will more for energy this winter. What suggestions does NSC to save on bills? Here’s a couple to kick things off…

1) Defrost food in the fridge overnight, it’s safer and instead of taking heat out of the room it gives your fridge a hand.

2) If you have a combi gas boiler, consider a lower 'flow' temperature. Seems this could save 6-8 percent on consumption

 

[Swansman]

Do nothing... saves plenty of energy.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Well whatever assistance comes from the government everyone in the UK will more for energy this winter. What suggestions does NSC to save on bills? Here’s a couple to kick things off…

1) Defrost food in the fridge overnight, it’s safer and instead of taking heat out of the room it gives your fridge a hand.

2) If you have a combi gas boiler, consider a lower 'flow' temperature. Seems this could save 6-8 percent on consumption

I am slowly turning the hot water temp down on the Combi boiler until anyone notices.
I turned the flow temp on the central heating down last winter and it seemed to make a difference - all our radiators were set to 1 or 2, so turning the flow temp down and turning the radiators up should make a difference.

 

[Bozza]

I was going to start a thread on this.

We're now paying VERY close attention to the smart meter monitoring device we have - I'd literally never looked at it before. For now, at least, I'm recording our daily usage in a spreadsheet so I can get an idea of what is "normal" for us and spot any spikes and try to figure out if we can adjust what we do better. I'm also going to sign up for this: https://loop.homes

We're possibly guilty of using the washing machine more than we need, with a few smaller loads. We're now going to better batch what we wash and when, to use it fewer times each week.

When I use the oven, I'll be thinking ahead and trying to cook multiple things at the same time.

When it comes to warming food up, a microwave is best, then the hob and lastly an oven.

 

[The Clamp]

Burn a Tory.

 

[RandyWanger]

We had a log burner installed during our renovations last year, fully stocked up thanks to a local farmer last weekend with ready to burn wood. We're going to resist using the central heating for as long as possible, winter socks, blankets on the sofa etc but will look into the hot water temp. Gas hob / electric oven so will look at reducing gas consumption. Solar on the roof but we don't have batteries to store what we generate. Looking into getting this added.

 

[CHAPPERS]

When I use the oven, I'll be thinking ahead and trying to cook multiple things at the same time.

.

Here's a good one for such an occasion. I often double batch and get a decent amount of lunches out of it.

https://cookingonabootstrap.com/2015/01/30/roasted-carrot-chickpea-and-garlic-soup-26p-vegan/

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Die

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Cook a few meals at once using the same heat.
No slow cooked meat.
Eat salad rather than cooked vegetables.
Shorter time in the shower.
Showers instead of baths.
Don’t leave electrical appliances on standby.
Buy more clothes for the cold weather.

 

[southstandandy]

Turn off everthing.

 

[The Clamp]

Avoid heating anything up with electricity. Kettle, blanket, food etc. It’s extremely energy hungry.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Here's a good one for such an occasion. I often double batch and get a decent amount of lunches out of it.

https://cookingonabootstrap.com/2015/01/30/roasted-carrot-chickpea-and-garlic-soup-26p-vegan/

I have her second cookbook, a year in 120 recipes, and it is superb. Whilst its focus is budget cooking it actually doubles up as a excellent quick easy post work cookbook. There's an excellent puttanesca recipe which I cook once every couple of weeks at least with minimal prep and cooking time.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Live on a country estate (no I don't own it!) in a bungalow with a large log burner, loads of wood to burn for free. Oil Central heating will be off the foreseeable.

Turn everything off on standby.

Showers not baths,

Blankets

Use slow cooker to cook large stews etc then reheat with microwave.

Use clotheshorses and cut plug off tumble dryer

Extra tog or two duvets turn heating off in bedrooms.

 

[nicko31]

I am slowly turning the hot water temp down on the Combi boiler until anyone notices.
I turned the flow temp on the central heating down last winter and it seemed to make a difference - all our radiators were set to 1 or 2, so turning the flow temp down and turning the radiators up should make a difference.

I think you have to be careful with hot water. Turning down too low and it could risk legionella. Maybe you just need to turn back up to 65c periodically. But not sure

 

[Luke93]

If you have a chimney not in use, block it off. You can buy sheets / balloons you shove up the shaft that prevents a draft and helps insulate the house.

Speaking of insulation, you can insulate the loft and cavity walls. Worth the initial investment. Can also block off doorways / windows to prevent draft. Thick curtains work well here.

LED lightbulbs are optimal for energy usage, but most will have these already.

There’s also the more obvious like using the most efficient appliances (choose wisely when purchasing your next TV!) and running appliances at the cheapest time (washing machine during the night, if you can stand the noise)!

 

[nicko31]

Avoid heating anything up with electricity. Kettle, blanket, food etc. It’s extremely energy hungry.

Yes indeed, Elec 52p kWh, gas 15p kWh

Filling a kettle with water from the hot tap gives the kettle a head start.

 

[KZNSeagull]

I think you have to be careful with hot water. Turning down too low and it could risk legionella. Maybe you just need to turn back up to 65c periodically. But not sure

With a combi boiler? Thought that only occurred in water tanks etc where the water sits?

 

[studio150]

Don't work from home, go into the office instead.
While in the office, charge all your phones, tablets there rather than at home.

 

[The Clamp]

Don't work from home, go into the office instead.
While in the office, charge all your phones, tablets there rather than at home.

Until your company files for bankruptcy

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Die

Turn off the heating completely, and buy some hot water bottles.