Vocal Voices

it's absolutely soul destroying and I do worry how people are meant to cope. I am OK for now because I'm on a fixed rate until September next year, but when that comes to an end I'm going to be in for a big shock. My energy provider is 100% renewable for electricity and I was looking at their website and they (rightly so) are talking about where possible installing solar panels with battery storage and also installing air source heat pumps (like they have in Sweden). But thing is both these are extortionately expensive, in the region of £10k each per household and how many of us do have £20k lying about - but it is something to look into and I think every new build should have both these as standard now.

But in the meantime I'm sitting here, looking around and wondering just what more I can do to cut down on my electricity consumption, and then in the winter - reduce my heating costs. I think first step will be to invest in a plug in power usage meter to see what I'm using where. I have quite a few things on WiFi plugs already so I can switch off at the plug, but that plug uses power so it can communicate with network.

As for heating - I keep my house relatively cool and will happily add that extra layer or use a blanket if need be. I've only got two radiators running off the central heating and I really don't think I can cut down anymore.


What energy saving measures have you added to your household in recent months given the increases?

Like you Ria, we're on a fixed rate until next year. As you know, we've got a fairly big house, so going forward it's certainly a worry. I would happily downsize, but Mick isn't keen. I can see his POV, as when D is no longer around we may very well leave Gloucester for pastures new, so it does make sense to put it off - moving house is expensive

We keep the heating at about 19°C, we're well insulated so could probably go down another degree or so We have two spare bedrooms now M no longer uses one as his study, so instead of using the tumble dryer I could set a big clothes horse up in one to dry clothes.

It's going to be a worry for everyone except those on high incomes.

Dont know how we can cut do more any way ria
I admit I leave lights on especially the hall light in the winter I haven't or want a smart meter I will just be care full and use the microwave more than the oven in glad iv,no dryer just use a clothes horse
And my heating will now be on 18 not 20and will ask neighbour to lower my water thermostat
Just had a message from Scottish power they will be in touch by September 19with advice on how to pay my bill while they make millions and huge bonus I agree Kaz downsize Is a good option but it could be years before you need to I hope I dry all tops on coat hanger hung from the door frame so much easier

Unfortunately the media is making out that the £3,549 is what all people WILL pay using terms like "typical usage" for an "average household". It is simply not true - we will all have different bills depending upon how we use energy.

I started a new spreadsheet with the April rise. Since then I have used £131.52p of electricity, inc standing charge, on a pre-payment meter. It is only for the shower, washing machine and kettle with a little bit of lighting and a few things on standby. I usually do payments of £20 and just let the meter run down. The payments will get more frequent or be doubled as the year goes on and also to meet the new price rises, but I will not get overwhelmed.

In the same period I have used £151. 83p for gas paid by monthly bill - no DD. It is mainly for hot water, heating and cooking. The last three bills have been £13.52, £13.44 and £13.11. Gas costs will obviously go up as the year wears on and being on blood thinners I do need it to be reasonably warm all the time. I am expecting the bills from October through March to be about £120 - £140 pcm. It is a fair sized six room flat with central hallway and stairway - seven radiators.

What I can say is that I will not be paying anything like £3,549.

I agree WM bills will not be as high as suggested by media scare mongering

I agree that not everyone will pay that, but fact remains:

The price of electricity will rise on average from 28p per kWh to 52p in October-December and gas will go up from 7p to 15p per kwh

from BBC website

that is an increase on average of approximately 86% for electricity and approximately 114% for gas - that's a lot even if working on averages

It gets worse Martin Lewis has just been on tv things are going to get very much worse in January that's Xmas cancelled

Unfortunately the media is making out that the £3,549 is what all people WILL pay using terms like "typical usage" for an "average household". It is simply not true - we will all have different bills depending upon how we use energy.

Absolutely! We are paying around 60-70% of that figure.

Like Frank, I run a spreadsheet to forecast / keep track of where we're going with our energy bills.

The last 3 actual monthly gas bills have been £18.58, £20.82, £19.12 (water heating and gas hob, the central heating hasn't been on) but of course winter is a whole different kettle of fish.
Looking at last year's consumption, applying the new OFGEN rates, and hiking them in January 2023 and April 2023 in line with the rises being predicted, our gas bill October 2022 to September 2023, looks like being £1,600 as a ballpark figure. So I'll need to up the monthly direct debit from £60 to at least £110 (we already have a credit on the account).

We have bought an electric space heater and we'll turn the thermostat down from 21 to 19, although if it's a harsh winter, we must keep the place warm as Mrs O has underlying health issues. We've reduced the use of hot water for washing / bathing as far as we can already (with the result that Ossie stinks like a polecat! )

With electricity, it's a rather different scenario. Our monthly bills are pretty constant, so using the same criteria to forecast forward as with the gas, I reckon our October 2022 to September 2023 billing will be a shade under £2,000. Again, I'll have to up the existing standing order by around £50 per month to at least £120 (I'm taking into account the £400 Government support and existing credits). However, the really big unknown is the effect the Solar PV system - which is imminently about to be installed - will have on cutting our costs. We're currently waiting for the scaffolders to show up . This new system is costing a shade over £6k (including removing the existing Solar Thermal system that has never worked properly and was costing us more in repairs and maintenance than we were ever saving). As for the capital cost, it's coming out of a savings nest-egg on which the Bank are stubbornly paying just 0.01% interest , so there's little point in keeping it.

The £66/month Government support - watch that different energy companies seem to be applying this differently. I've been told British Gas will pay the money into your bank account after they see you've paid your monthly direct debit. E.On have said they'll be simply crediting your energy account.

From a practical point of view, we already turn off all appliances rather than leave them on standby, we turn off all lights not in use, and we cook "double meals" in the oven. Little else we can do really, although if the Solar PV system works efficiently, we may have to revise our lifestyle to do more during daylight hours (i.e. cooking, hoovering) and less in the evening.

meriad wrote:I agree that not everyone will pay that, but fact remains:

The price of electricity will rise on average from 28p per kWh to 52p in October-December and gas will go up from 7p to 15p per kwh

from BBC website

that is an increase on average of approximately 86% for electricity and approximately 114% for gas - that's a lot even if working on averages

Yes, but don't forget that a chunk of your monthly bills are made up of the daily charge, Meriad, and those haven't gone up anything like as much.
Electricity 44p to 46p, Gas 27p to 28p.

It is a worry, especially for people with children on low incomes and those who live in large older houses.

Our joint fuel DD is currently at £179 per month, we are in credit, not a massive amount, but that usually evens out during the winter months. Goodness knows what it will be in October. I've been looking at ways to save energy, apparently the slow cooker is much more economic than our electric oven so I could use that more often. Our biggest expense is the central heating and while I don't mind wearing a bit more I don't want to behave as though I'm about to go out in the snow. The tumble dryer is obviously another big expense so I will probably have to look at buying a heated airer. Other than that I'm not sure how much more we can do. All ideas/tips welcome.