Check, or cancel, your Direct Debits!

I was moved over to Octopus when my previous supplier went bust. I have to say I am quite impressed with the Octopus account - ability to change DD's up or down - get a bill anytime you want by entering your meter readings - pay one off amounts. Much more control than my previous supplier - who simply banged up the DD after an 'account review'.

 

Probably no comparison. We pay 40c per day standing then 15c pkwh. Our DD went down to 76 Euros per month but we probably get 25 per month from our solar. We run two fridge/freezers and one under counter fridge (with dinky freezer) and an ice machine non-stop for T'other Half.

 

Yeah most costs for me goes on heating, which is gas, hoping to at last get away with not using heating for the summer, but will need to start using it again in late September, but still run the hot water all year. So only really 4 months at most with no heating on.
Then I use gas for some cooking as well.

This is partly why I'm wondering if it would be actually cheaper to go all electric, only one standing charge for a start.
But I just wonder how effective or costly electric heating is to run, bearing in mind what I've heard about heat pumps being pretty much useless in normal houses or what other kinds electric heating are available.

It seems you are against a rock and a hard place really, as changing anything to make any real savings is going to be astronomic price wise to do, and take about 20 yrs before you see any savings.

 

Ah, we do use gas (tanks) for hot water and hob cooking and that's probably 300 per year (new cost was 240). Also the firewood cost if we choose to light a fire otherwise a/c heat units (electric) in kitchen/bedrooms and lounge.

 

Thank you, I think I may get one.

 

That's why I said "a normal house", not many people actually live in those types of houses, even something built in the 80s or 90s is unlikely to be brought up to those standards without a massive investment.
So bearing that in mind, gas must still be the cheaper of the two.
Just think how cheap it would be for your Brother if he was using gas.

 

As you can see from the chart, the bulk of the extra standing charges is on the Electricity bill.



We still have a standard gas boiler, it may be less efficient than the new gas boilers but at least it costs virtually nothing to maintain so is way cheaper that scrapping it for a combi gas boiler that most folk say will only last 10 years provided you have an expensive maintenance contract.

Heat pumps etc, from what you see on the tv about folk who actually have them, think for now in the average home they are ineffective, cumbersome and very costly.

What you can do to ease the room heating bills if thats a real problem, is turn off the radiators in rooms you do not use if at all possible.
As you say insulation measures are good but do take years to be cost effective, though with the high prices that should now be a lot shorter.
Have a look at the MSE site which outline various free or low cost insulation, some via your energy supplier
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-cavity-loft-insulation/

 

Interesting, from that, to my simple mind, I take that gas is far cheaper than electricity?
I might install gas lighting, at least that way you get heat and light at the same time, you cant warm your hands on LEDs.

I've got cavity wall insulation, and loft insulation, but every cowboy in the country wants to install that for you, chuck a few rolls of that in the loft, take the money and run.

I only heat 3 rooms, plus a few hours in the bedroom in the evening, so I'm not being excessive.

It still feels bloody cold when sitting around though.

Perhaps Richy boy, how ever he spells his name, should just give us all an exercise bike, then when we get cold we could all get on our bikes.

 

I don't understand why you'd turn off the rads in some rooms, you're heating the water anyway so it may as well travel around all the rooms (i.e. unless your house is very big).
Also wouldn't the air from the colder rooms cause drafts ?

 

You turn off rads in rooms you are not using as it means there is less water moving around the system so less water for the boiler to heat.

As for draughts it depends on how well your doors fit.

 

I've got thermostatic valves on some rads, but I wish I had a valve in the system where I could turn off upstairs only.

 

Must admit I have noticed that turning the heating totally off in cold weather is a false saving, as you spend lots more gas trying to warm thing's up again, and while that is happening you are cold anyway.