energy saving tips???

jaysay said:
I have a few of these sockets too Margaret, ue to the fact that when our flats were built there wasn't that many electrical goods, but I have a feeling that the flats maybe in line for rewiring, as they have been round from HH noting what and where the sockets are.
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My flat is on the schedule for a rewire this year (along with bathroom and kitchen refurb) but no signs yet.
I doubt that they will supply me with NINETEEN sockets in my lounge, TEN in bedroom and NINE in kitchen.
 
lounge - not all in use at same time
2 pc towers
2 monitors
2 sets speakers
1 printer
1 set radio headphones
1 tv
1 sky box
1 scanner
1 air filtration fan
1 goodsphere air purifier
3 table lamps
1 radio telephone
1 coal effect fire
1 phone charger
19

bedroom
1 adjustable bed
1 radio doorbell
1 clock
1 radio cassette player
1 spider repeller
4 table lamps
1 goodsphere air purifier
10

kitchen
1 fridge freezer
1 washer
1 breadmaker
1 tefal quick cup
1 blender
1 spider repeller
1 juicer
1 toaster
8 -need 1 more because I
have more kitchen gadgets but only
keep the ones in regular use plugged in
 
Margaret, didn't you post a link to some 'special' paint additive that helps with damp and reflects heat?

We recently had a leaflet through about solar water heating, they were quoting ~£1500 fitted. I know of one house that has it, anyone else considered it? We don't have a water cylinder so its no use for me. I have considered a wind turbine but I don't reckon teh neighbours woudlo be that chuffed :D

other energy saving tips,

if you have single glazed windows yu can get cling film stuff that you fit to add a 'double glazing' effect, I heard they aren't as good as real DG but better than single. Otherwise, as someone else said, draw your curtains when its going cool and have as heavy a curtain as you can.

Turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees, you won't notice

set your central heating to come on 10 mins later and off 10 mins earlier

measure teh water you put in teh kettle so you don't boil too much

put lids on pans when cooking food, you can turn the heat down for teh same effect

make sure your house is insulated properly(particularly loft), lag pipes, etc
 
When using the oven cook more than one dish.
Another way to save is when cooking veggies.....bring the pot to a rolling boil and then turn off the heat and leave the pan lid on...the veggies will carry on cooking in their own heat for quite a while.......go back after say 20 minutes and test if they are cooked enough and if not turn the heat back on and repeat the process until cooked to your personal taste.
 
Margaret Pilkington said:
veggies.....bring the pot to a rolling boil
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Is a rolling boil similar to how I burn my pans out? Leave everything on full heat with the lid on until the power of that much steam vibrates everything onto the floor, or the water boils off and the pan acts like a nuclear reactor goes into melt down and leaves molten metal all over the hob?
:p
 
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[email protected] said:
My flat is on the schedule for a rewire this year (along with bathroom and kitchen refurb) but no signs yet.
I doubt that they will supply me with NINETEEN sockets in my lounge, TEN in bedroom and NINE in kitchen.
Click to expand...
Good grief Margaret, with that many sockets with little red lights on them your gaff must look like blackpool lights on full tilt:D
 
Yes Less.....but with one major difference...when the food reaches that state(rolling boil) you turn the heat OFF......no burnt pans, no boiling over...and a smaller bill:D
 
jaysay said:
Good grief Margaret, with that many sockets with little red lights on them your gaff must look like blackpool lights on full tilt:D
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I missed one - wireless box :)
Not all my 9 extensions have red lights.
It is less of a problem now than when I had 4 electric panel heaters :eek: and the largest one HAD to have its own socket for safety reasons.
I have to look at wattage use of items used on same extension.
It does limit furniture arrangement somewhat.
I use 2771KWH electricity per annum which at present rates is less than £5 a week
(all bulbs are low energy bulbs)
 
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Why do we take it for granted that the done thing is to leave fridges and freezers constantly plugged in ? Surely they can hold their temperature for 6 or 7 hours during the night. How long does it take them to defrost without power ?

Thinking of putting ours on a timer so they shut down for 6 hours from midnight. Can anyone think of why I shouldn’t test this out :confused:

 
Think freezers take 13 hours to fully defrost, but know mine has been left open and the food at the front went soft in about 4 hours
 
AccyLass27 said:
Think freezers take 13 hours to fully defrost, but know mine has been left open and the food at the front went soft in about 4 hours
Click to expand...

If the doors are shut and they aren’t opened through the night hours I reckon I could get away with switching the power off for 6 hours. Bet there is a real saving to be had over the space of a year…so long as you don’t end up with food poisoning :D
 
Cheers Margaret, more info found here 30 quid a pop tho. Not as cost effective as just switching it off , then again maybe it is. Switching the appliance off might cost more on “start up” power consumption. I wonder how to find out, might have to just test it and watch the meter reading.
 
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