Energy Saving ~ is this too extreme?

[Two_Sheds]

I'm trying to find ways to save energy, in order to pay the extortionate gas bill when it comes.

I have started to fill a Thermos with boiled water in the morning ... and it really does stay red hot all day long... I only boil the kettle once now, instead of 5 or 6 times. That's gotta save me about 10p, right?

I do, however, draw the line at reusing tea bags. One must have some standards

[piskieinboots]

I'm trying to find ways to save energy, in order to pay the extortionate gas bill when it comes.

I have started to fill a Thermos with boiled water in the morning ... and it really does stay red hot all day long... I only boil the kettle once now, instead of 5 or 6 times. That's gotta save me about 10p, right?

I do, however, draw the line at reusing tea bags. One must have some standards

I'm sure this is a stupid comment - but do you pay your bill by monthly DD?

I ask because you mention 'when the extortionate gas bill comes in' - I pay monthly and therefore never get a huge bill

[Two_Sheds]

I'm sure this is a stupid comment - but do you pay your bill by monthly DD?

Yep. And I've recently switched to a cheaper supplier.
But it will still be huge, because of the price hikes

[smallblueplanet]

...I ask because you mention 'when the extortionate gas bill comes in' - I pay monthly and therefore never get a huge bill

Some people pay monthly, but don't realise that their useage has been estimated and is not actually what they have used - so it is possible to still get a huge bill.

[lynda66]

when i lived in my old house we had 3 flights of stairs to the kitchen from the computer room (worked at home) ...... i always made a flask in the morning. i'd probably do that now too, but i haven't got a flask lol

[bubblewrap]

You could always try this!
Broke Man Tries Paying Bill With a Picture of a Spider - Urlesque

[wiccanlou]

get some hardboard and wrap in foil and place behind your rads to stop the convection of heat through your walls, also tuck curtains behin rads or on the windowsill to stop heat loss through the windows. To ensure the heat isn't lost in your thermos i would sugeest wrapping it in a tea towel. I could work out how much it costs you to boil your kettle if you want

[piskieinboots]

Some people pay monthly, but don't realise that their useage has been estimated and is not actually what they have used - so it is possible to still get a huge bill.

this is a good point!

I always always check if my bill has been estimated and if it has I take a reading and call it in - it takes seconds and ensures I keep on track

[Two_Sheds]

To ensure the heat isn't lost in your thermos i would sugeest wrapping it in a tea towel. I could work out how much it costs you to boil your kettle if you want

None is lost - Thermos is still hot the next morning, it's terrific.

Go on then, what does it cost to boil a kettle?

[Alison]

Not sure how much you save as you're boiling up a full kettle rather than a mug at a time so it's not an easy calc to make. Spent the first few years of living together to get OH not to boil a full kettle every time he wanted a single cup but now he's well training in that respect.

[maytreefrannie]

Go on then, what does it cost to boil a kettle?

I once read that boiling an electric kettle takes as much electricity as keeping a room lit for a whole evening. Does anyone know if this is true?

Not sure what it takes to boil one on a gas stove ring.

Regarding 'estimated' bills, I got an estimated electricity bill a couple of months ago - it was higher than any of the last six bills. When I rang and told them this, they said it's hard to explain, it's done by computer! I pointed out that with pencil and paper I'd worked out the average. They then said it's calculated on my usage. I said, exactly - so why wasn't that done?

Ah, they said, it's worked out by the computer. Fire the computer and hire me I said. They didn't take my advice.

[bubblewrap]

If only boiling water for one cup of tea/coffee try the microwave?

[lynda66]

boiling water n the microwave ..... doesn't taste right

[Alison]

If only boiling water for one cup of tea/coffee try the microwave?

Apparently you're not supposed to boil water on it's own in the microwave, there was a warning thread about this a bit back and if it's not absolutely boiling then proper tea just doesn't taste right. We've got some water heater things at work which aren't quite hot enough and they make rubbish tea so I bring in herbal stuff which is fine at a slightly cooler temperature.

[bubblewrap]

Apparently you're not supposed to boil water on it's own in the microwave, there was a warning thread about this a bit back and if it's not absolutely boiling then proper tea just doesn't taste right. We've got some water heater things at work which aren't quite hot enough and they make rubbish tea so I bring in herbal stuff which is fine at a slightly cooler temperature.

I often heat milk up to put in coffee no problems ..................yet.