Snow

[kerrensimmonds]

Several years ago I believed my neighbour (semi detached, 60's house) when she said that leaving the heating on low all the time would save money in the end. I have a central heating boiler in the kitchen, and separate thermostats on the radiators in every room. In under-used rooms, eg. the study and the spare bedroom, the thermostat is turned right down. Prior to my neighbour's advice (and now) my heating was/is on 6-8 weekday mornings, 7-10 weekday evenings; 7-10 weekend mornings and 7-10 weekend evenings. When it was on full time, yes, the house was nice and warm permanently (even when I was not at home) but when it arrived, the bill at the end of the period was humungous. I went back to the status quo. Give me a timer any day! The dog and cats may shiver when I am not at home but at work, but they have thick coats and plenty of comfy bedding - I now pay to heat the house only when I am at home, and not at any other time. The pro rata hourly rate may be high, but overall I am sure that I am still saving on what I paid in that 'on all the time' year.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Agreed !
Our heating is timed, but also controlled by a thermostat, in the entrance hall.
We also have, besides radiators, in the lounge, a gas fire, which heats "Coals" to red-hot, and on which toast can be made, with an old-fashioned toasting fork. This is particularly useful for a quick warm-up, on arrival after a walk on the Heath !

I have got a Direct Debit of £180 a month, for both Gas and Electricity --- is this good or bad ?

[anniexf]

I have got a Direct Debit of £180 a month, for both Gas and Electricity --- is this good or bad ?

It's horrifying!! Our combined direct debits are just under a third of that! But then, we're very economical, and our little house is probably a third of the size of yours ....

[englishangel]

Our direct debit for both (4 bed terrace) has just gone to £92.00 but from July last year to January this year it was reduced to £67.00 because we were £200 odd in credit, I expect the same this year. Of course we are not retired people who are home all the time, but as well as the morning and evening times I tend to turn the heating on as I go to work (8.45 to 12.15) as my younger son does mostly late shifts.

[kerrensimmonds]

I stopped paying by Direct Debit monthly, because the energy company (Southern Electric, which scores best on internet searches) kept on trying to hike the monthly payment. I now pay quarterly, when the bills come (though they do give an horrenedously short turnaroud time before penalties are incurred). My last combined bill was about £350 - for the autumn going into winter months. I have a three bedroom semi detached 1960's house, at the end of the row so probably subject to more windchill on the eastern side than my neighbours. I didn't think that was too bad. I expect Neill lives in a huge mansion somewhere.......

[midget]

one of those hotty things you put in the microwave.

Those can be dangerous! Apparently the wheaty stuff inside can dry out so much that it smoulders and ignites after too many uses!

The instructions withmine say put a small dish of water in themicrowave with the hotty. They are bliss when your knee is giving you merry hell and it's a couple of months too early to have another injection.

We only heat rooms we are using, and our latest billhas been horrendous. Yes it is a large house, and the sitting room and bedroom have 3 outside walls.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I don't think 1000acres is huge and of course one has to support the poorer Tenants on the Estate --------

Actually it is 4 Beds detached, on about half an acre !

I thought £108 wasn't bad --- perhaps it is a Quarter -- I shall check !!

[anniexf]

I have got a Direct Debit of £180 a month, for both Gas and Electricity --- is this good or bad ?

I thought £108 wasn't bad --- perhaps it is a Quarter -- I shall check !!

Which is it, Neill? It's the £180 a month that I thought horrifying - but £108 for your house seems much more realistic.

[Jo]

Ours is £130 a month for gas and electricity combined for a 4 bed detached. The electricity isn't too bad but the gas bill is astronomical, particularly in winter. But apart from a gas hob, which isn't used a great deal, the only gas usage is central heating & hot water. I know I'm often at home during the day, but it is on a timer, and not overly warm in my view.

Still, we just last week had cavity wall and additional loft insulation installed, and a few months ago we had double glazing, so perhaps that will all combine to reduce the costs. I certainly hope so.

[anniexf]

Still, we just last week had cavity wall and additional loft insulation installed, and a few months ago we had double glazing, so perhaps that will all combine to reduce the costs. I certainly hope so.

It will make a big difference! We already had double glazing but it wasn't until we had the loft really thickly insulated & the cavity walls done that our expenditure on gas & electricity dropped noticeably.

[Angela Woodford]

This small new house is heated by oil! The smallest amount that can be delivered is 500 litres which was £288 - last ordered in March and we have made it last since then!

I'm not saying that I haven't complained of the cold. HE doesn't feel the cold. During the snowy period, I negotiated switching the radiators on for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I switch on for a tankful of hot water maybe every day and a half.

HOGOFs will know that when HE went away for a couple of days last week I warmed the house a little more generously... but they swore not to tell.

Economy!

[icomefromalanddownunder]

one of those hotty things you put in the microwave.

Those can be dangerous! Apparently the wheaty stuff inside can dry out so much that it smoulders and ignites after too many uses!

That's why you are instructed to have a container of water in the microwave with them.

Used correctly they are quite safe, and wonderful for sore joints.

[anniexf]

Thanks, Mary, Maggie and Carolyn - I now definitely know what to do to be safe, if I should ever acquire one! The reason I made the comment was a news item about an elderly lady whose children had bought her one as a safer alternative to boiling water for a bottle. It had caught fire in her bed while she slept, burnt her feet etc., & set fire to her bed. Obviously either she had't read the instructions, or there weren't any then (last year).

[midget]

Our combined bill is £140/month, by direct debit, BUT we are now £200 over that, which will be paid when the next pament is made.

[kerrensimmonds]

And thanks everyone for the 'headsup' on wheatbags! I have a couple, don't use them very often, but when I do I NEVER put a dish of water into the microwave at the same time. Thank you for the warning. I would never have given it a thought.