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Saving on gas and electricity
A friend changed energy supplier recently, which she reckons will save around £600 a year.
Our energy bill (including both gas and electric) last year was under £600...
Admittedly, we're in the south and she's in Yorkshire, which will make a difference to the heating costs, and we're a mid-terrace which also helps.
However, if anyone wants Judith's tips on saving energy costs, here's a few:
1. Never do laundry unless necessary. Wash clothes when they either look dirty, or a quick sniff says they need a wash even if they don't look dirty. I was horrified by one friend (who was flat broke) who washed her son's trousers every single day. I find that trousers are often good for a fortnight or more.
2. Check your loft insulation. Most people erroneously think they have enough - they're usually nowhere near. The recommended depth is 10 inches or 25 cm.
Even we probably don't have that much, but the frost melts last on our roof, so we certainly have more insulation than the rest of the street. If you run out of space between the floor rafters, you can still add it between the rafters under your tiles (which is what we did). It's easy and cheap and makes the whole house warmer.
3. Showers cost money. There's a perception that showers are cheap, but most people spend so long in the shower that it still works out expensive. Washing just the essential bits with a flannel (or sponge) and a bowl of water will cost a lot less. (I love my bidet) If you have clothing due to go in the laundry, use that to wipe under the arm-pits - that often removes the need for a wash.
Basically, heating anything is expensive.
Our energy bill (including both gas and electric) last year was under £600...
Admittedly, we're in the south and she's in Yorkshire, which will make a difference to the heating costs, and we're a mid-terrace which also helps.
However, if anyone wants Judith's tips on saving energy costs, here's a few:
1. Never do laundry unless necessary. Wash clothes when they either look dirty, or a quick sniff says they need a wash even if they don't look dirty. I was horrified by one friend (who was flat broke) who washed her son's trousers every single day. I find that trousers are often good for a fortnight or more.
2. Check your loft insulation. Most people erroneously think they have enough - they're usually nowhere near. The recommended depth is 10 inches or 25 cm.
Even we probably don't have that much, but the frost melts last on our roof, so we certainly have more insulation than the rest of the street. If you run out of space between the floor rafters, you can still add it between the rafters under your tiles (which is what we did). It's easy and cheap and makes the whole house warmer.
3. Showers cost money. There's a perception that showers are cheap, but most people spend so long in the shower that it still works out expensive. Washing just the essential bits with a flannel (or sponge) and a bowl of water will cost a lot less. (I love my bidet) If you have clothing due to go in the laundry, use that to wipe under the arm-pits - that often removes the need for a wash.
Basically, heating anything is expensive.