I suppose i want this thread to be a place where we swap tips to save money on the electric, gas and water bills.

The reason for this is that in the last 4 years, my water bill has risen by something like 75%, when 4 years ago there was two of us, now theres just me. I called the water board to check i was paying the right amount, and they confirmed i am, as i am apparently using double the amount of water that i should be. I did a test, and theres no leaks. So obviously i seriously need to cut down, when i was never wasting water in the first place.

Before the call to the water board, when not having any guests, i have been flushing the toilet about every 2 or 3 days. Disgusting i know. I just chuck bleach down when i need to. I never have baths, only showers and try to use the least amount of water when washing up. I dont water the garden; and use the washing machine twice a week, once on 30 and once on 40. I dont see how i can save more than i try to already.
Whilst i dont want to waste more water than necessary, i am annoyed at the price i am paying and i find it disgusting at the steps i have to take in order to save money. I'm on a water meter btw.

That has made me think about my electric and gas consumption and i'm currently typing in the dark, with no heating on. When i'm cold, rather than putting the heating on i've been putting more layers on and wearing fingerless gloves. (yes i know its only september but i get cold in the evenings) I've started using a torch when walking to and from other rooms and in the bathroom and kitchen when its dark and when in the living room watching tv, the only other light is some fairy lights. I've been trying to use the computer less, as well as obviously not leaving things on standby and unplugging phone chargers and similar things when not needed.
I kinda feel that those steps to save money on energy are going a bit far, ie the torches and lighting. Thats a bit silly, right? I dunno. But everything else seems like common sense.

Edit: Unless i'm being silly and everyone is doing this sort of thing?

The only other thing i can think of to save water is to find a way to get my shower to heat up quicker so it doesnt have to run for 2 mins before i get in. And i'll get my mum to do my washing every so often

So does anyone else have any tips on saving money on these bills?

I think so, How much will it cost in batterys. You do have low power lamps yes, and groping round in the dark can be a bit dangerous just put the light on. Tripping over the dog in the the dark is not good. you could get a water butt to catch rain water to use in the toilet.
Or if your mum or mates dont have a water meter fill up a gallon container when you are there with the car.

I like those ideas Thought i was right being silly with the torches

two things you could do..... scorpio..... 1........save washing up water.............................put down toilet

2........make tea.... put spare hot water in flask...for washing up

my daughter.....changes her gas/electric many times a year.............................collects cash every time
read meters......phone up new supplier offering cheaper rates..........................tell them your 3 monthly
readings.....many companies give cash to change over....sometimes £50.

Put a large stone in the toilet sistern.

Already have that


I'll defo do #1. Not sure what you mean for #2

Dont you need to settle up with the current suppliers before you change over?

I'd assume so yes. But its true. We do it every year or so at our house. But we do it with electricy suppliers, insurance companies, etc... You can save some real money if you can be bothered with the hassle of your previous company pleading you to stay.

I am sooo pleased turns out i've been paying the water bill for the couple who live upstairs They couldnt understand why they were always in credit. They got a biggggggggg bill coming

So thats that. But we should still use this thread to swap tips on saving money

Great news Scorps.

I have something of a predicament with my energy bills at the mo. I pay by direct debit and am not nearly as energy conscious as you are from the sound of the above. I however have been paying too much for quite a while. You might think me a little stupid for knowingly paying over the odds, but twice now I have received a substantial rebate from my energy supplier of over £200.

Currently I have about the same amount owed to me by them and normally I would request it back. However, I am heeding the warnings about high energy bills this winter and am going to play smart and keep the money where it is, as opposed to reclaiming the money and reducing my payments and then leaving myself to a crap new year when I potentially have to up my payments again.

Water rates for me are usually very reasonable, no baths, wash up once a day, washing machine on twice a week, only boil enough water for what I need (i.e one cup of tea).

Sounds like you're energy conscious enough to me. And i think i saw some advice person on the tv suggest people do what you're gonna do with your credit. Good idea

that £200....should be in your bank account.....as the energy company is getting the interest on it !

Yes, i dont agree with them having it but if it was me, i'd spend it now and then complain later when i cant afford the increased rates. Personally i think in the current climate its right where it is.

Unless you're realllly hard up right now and need it

I called Scottish Power just now and i'm £80 in credit. I get it back soon And i called Southern Water and they're gonna come out and check the meters

Does anyone know much about capped prices? I've read about them but would like some real opinions / experiences. Scottish Power told me i'd be paying more each month if was capped..

Re-Cap on putting a large stone in your toilet sistern, to use less water. Put it through the windows of the fat cats in Scottish Power.

Anyone?

Try to use most your energy and water in the off peak times, works well for me although i am in a different country.... OR switch your hot water heater to Vacation, that way your water goes colder quicker than usual and doesnt allow you to be in the shower for half an hour

Never heard of that

Morrisons are selling five Philips Genie Low Energy 11 or14 watt bulbs for 50p in store only. The promotion's on in all stores and Morrisons expects to continue it for four weeks

I got 10 yesterday for £1

Go get them now

Found this site it tells you how much household things cost to run :-

Cost of running household equpment



Desktop Computers 20-40p a day

LCD TVs- 32" 12-18p a day

Washing Machine 14-16 pr wash

Thats really interesting to know, thanks

Something i've been interested to know for a while but havent actually found out myself yet is how fairy lights compare to a 60 or 100 watt bulb. I presume it depends on what kind of fairy lights they are, and i havent looked at the details of mine yet

fairy lights are 1 watt each I think, so 60 on a string will be the same as a 60 watt bulb

Ah right.. and when they give off less light altogether than one big bulb.. thanks for telling me that I used to have loads around the flat, not even just at christmas but i dont anymore

Regarding my water meter issue - i'm still waiting to get my big refund. However, yesterday they decided to give me a bill for £880 I gave them a piece of my mind and they admitted it was a mistake

To save water, you could always dilute it

TWO months on and i am still trying to get back the money from the waterboard

the trick is ...to read your `meters`a week or so ...before they
are due to drop through your letter box...that way they send
you a ` bill ` for that quarter...otherwise they will inflate it and
collect the interest on it ...and not you !.......so now you know !

alway read your meters.

I've been doing that and i've got the big refund

I take readings every week of all three things and send them in online or on the phone. That way nothing is estimated

I reclaimed my £250 from my gas and electric company (as mentioned elsewhere in the thread) that was Sept/Oct this year - I got my statement off of them yday telling me that now 2 months later (and as a result of their price hike) I owe them £40 already! Absolute daylight robbery!

What happened to keeping it with them for the winter bills? I would have claimed it back too though. Rather we had it than them

Man Of Kent's post about them getting interest off of it to behonest was what prompted the claim back plus the need for cash at the time.

Yeah we need it all the money we can get in the current climate

Have gone around today and turned the rads off in the rooms I dont use, new rule in the ab villa is no heating on before 7pm, only on for an hour in the morning and never on for longer than two hours. Put some energy saving light bulbs in today that I found in a drawer too and am now spending no longer than 3 mins in the shower.

Thats a bit harsh isnt it? Unless your heating lasts for ages when it goes off? I dont think i could wait til 7. But i dont have any heating on in the kitchen which i guess saves a bit

Well I am usually soritng my tea out and taking Brock out (or going shopping) so I dont actually sit down till about 7 most nights anyway. Suppose I want be a bit tough with it for a bit to see how it brings the cost down and then maybe find some middle ground then. However I bought one of them halogen heaters yday for a tenner - got one last year and it worked a treat - because I have been using a fan heater which must be eating electric.

I've found that i can turn the heating right down and use candles in the room i'm in at the time, say living room, and it heats and lights it right up

last minute tip...turn your thermostat...usually on a bedroom wall...down !
most people keep it at 70% + ... it down ...by a degree 69 --- 68 --- etc
until you have it the required heat in the lounge...... mine is set at 67%.

Yes thats a good one. I try to keep mine to about 20.. i assume thats degree's c althuogh mine is in my living room