Switch off, Britain!

[Stonehead]

Apparently, Britons waste the most energy in Europe while the Germans waste the least.

Time to start switching things off then!

Also, the Beeb's Have Your Say.

[Dave]

So not only do we have the highest teenage pregnancy, the highest amount of drunks, mental illness, heart disease, obesity but now the UK are the highest energy wasters!
I think it is about time we changed the last one at the very least.

[glenniedragon]

Strange really when you think that most of Dave's list can be done in the dark!

kind thoughts
Deb

[Ranter]

But what else can I do to reduce energy use: All bulbs are energy efficient; tv, video, dvd, freeview box, pc, printer etc all switched off at mains when not in use; I've installed double-glazing, 250mm deep loft insulation & a condensing boiler & blocked up drafts. I haven't got cavity walls to insulate & can't afford solid wall insulation given that I'm living on incapacity benefit. For the same reason I can't swap my washing machine for a more energy efficient one, but try to use it efficiently. Cooker & fridge/freezer are A or B rated, both bought second-hand.

All I can think of is to buy a savaplug for the fridge/freezer. Any other thoughts that are within my limited means?

[Stonehead]

I haven't got cavity walls to insulate & can't afford solid wall insulation given that I'm living on incapacity benefit.

Are there grants available for insulation? I know there are in Scotland.

As for what to do next, well, it sounds to me like you're doing better than most people so keep on top of things and keep spreading the word.

[shiney]

I spend half my life running around switching off lights. I am 'training' the kids little by little and they are getting my drift! I have also printed off some little signs on the link below and cut them out. They are above all the light switches in the house.

The trouble is today, its been so dull outside, the house is in darkness without a light on.


www.icount.org.uk

Every little helps. Oh goodness....I sound like a supermarket giant.

[baldowrie]

http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/gid/

There you go ranter.

They will come round and do an inspection and highlight the areas that need draft proofing or insulation. You should get all draught proofing and loft insulation free and very cut price cavity wall insulation if you have them.

The inspection is free, and may be an energy saver bulb or 2, and if eligible most insulations are too.

Also don't forget to register yourself chronically sick with your utility people as you get preferential treatment in the event of breakdown or cuts, plus often if you can not pay you bill you will get extra time to pay without penalty.

[Ranter]

Thanks for that folks,

I'll investigate grants & the EST as suggested.

Cheers

[baldowrie]

just remember though if they turn you down first time, try again...bit like all these things they turn you down to see if you reapply

[kenboak]

Dennis & list,

I have been slowly reducing my requirements over the last year.

The biggest saving I made was when I de-frosted the freezer, saving nearly 1kWh per day.

Other tips include only doing machine washine on sunny/breezy days when you know it will dry outside.

In October I used 60% of the gas used the previous October - but a lot o that may have been down to abnormally mild weather.

If you are struggling to heat the whole house, why not just heat the main rooms, and let the unused rooms go a little colder.




Ken

[jondy]

De frosting the freezer to save so much electricity is a new one on me, thanks for the tip. I do have a very old fridge freezer, it works well so I have delayed buying another. I know that modern fridge freezers are more economical, it would be nice to be able to measure the useage, how do you measure yours.

John

[shiney]

We got switched off for a hour or so tonight. Just as we got through the door, ready to put all the lovely veg I had prepared earlier (yeah, I sound like Blue Peter here) the power went off. Blerrrrruh gerump went the pc and there we were plunged into darkness!

I did manage to grill the homemade burgers and Mr Shiney nipped off to get emergency chips.

Isn't it quiet with all the electrical appliances off? Quite nice really, for a bit anyway...

Roast veg tomorrow now.

[Poppea]

The most ridiculous part of an item shown on the BBC news, was that although Britain was supposedly the biggest waster of energy out of just 5 European countries, Germany actually uses more energy than we do!! All of us, of course, need to still find more ways of reducing our energy consumption but I can do without these ridiculous comparison surveys! It's crazy to waste energy but then it's just as bad to use so much energy. I wish they would interview me. In our household,(2 adults in a detached house), we spend £25 per month on gas and electricity combined!

[PurpleDragon]

The biggest saving I made was when I de-frosted the freezer, saving nearly 1kWh per day.
Ken

WOW! Gosh, I'm gobsmacked! I have been putting off defrosting my freezer because it means I have to lug the other one indoors and plug it in.

I shall certainly be doing it now.

But how does that work?

[Muddypause]

Strange as it may seem, the ice in a frosted up freezer is acting as insulation, so the cooling element has a harder time keeping things cold in the freezer. There will be slow leaks of warmth coming in through the sides, door seal, etc., and the cooling element won't be able to absorb the heat as easily if it as covered in lots of ice. The more easily it can absorb the heat, the less time the freezer needs to be running.