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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#81
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Electricity costs.
"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message ... No, but I have a bad chest as a result of a previous bout. Any infection will trigger me in a cold and damp home especially with the mould. The mould spores get onto my chest and makes me ill too. But OH doesnt listen. The mould breeds in cold and damp in our house - put the heat on and it goes away. Until my OH went of this eco / cost binge we had the heating on in winter and never had any mould in any room. Now we have it all over the house and frankly the place stinks of must. Get the dehumidifier, it will stop mould as mould doesn't grow when its dry. If you have the cash you could get an air (or ground) sourced heat pump, they provide about three times as much heat out as the electricity in, there are also grants (or were a few months ago) if you are old or on benefits. Air sourced heat pumps start at about £400 ea., ground ones are a lot more but are the equivalent of a central heating boiler. |
#82
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Electricity costs.
"Chris Hogg" wrote in message ... On Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:58:50 +0100, "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote: FWIW, our total electricity bill for May 2009 to May 2010 was £642, less about £30 for DD discount. The units/cost breakdown between cheap rate and daytime rate was 2773 units/£151 night rate against 3116 units/£491 day rate. Night energy rate currently (oops, sorry!) 5.45p/unit, and day rate 18.83p/unit for first 1000 units/year then 14.33p/unit thereafter. Thanks for that. It gives me some sort of guide. I should have added that our average annual spend on gas over the last 5 years was £965 (but it is LPG from a tank in the garden, so much more expensive than mains gas), which brings the typical total energy spend per year to between £1550 and £1600, significantly higher than this in the last two years because of the cold winters (our house thermostat is set at 20C). That makes your total electricity spend of £1060, including heating, look extremely economical! Over the three previous years, when we had one 3-kW night-store heater in use, our average annual consumption of cheap rate electricity was about 5500 units, just about double what it was last year without it. -- The more I look at it the more certain I am that it is as cheap as it can be. I have looked at past bills too . The usage has decreased over the last two years but our bill has increased and that increase ( although smallish) seems to be the cost of the electric. Last year the usage was static but the cost has still risen. I did have it on a cap and I put it on another one until next year now but every time the cap comes off the price rises and its not possible to get cheaper on any other rate ( you can get some the same - or online management of bills would save about £30 , they say. But I have seen that before. I also read in Which? that the claims made by suppliers to reduce costs don't always come true. .. |
#83
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Electricity costs.
"dennis@home" wrote in message ... "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message ... Get the dehumidifier, it will stop mould as mould doesn't grow when its dry. I am going out today ( without HIM) to look for one of these. I am tired of dampp clothes. I can dry them outside, bring them in and they get damp again. If you have the cash you could get an air (or ground) sourced heat pump, they provide about three times as much heat out as the electricity in, there are also grants (or were a few months ago) if you are old or on benefits. Air sourced heat pumps start at about £400 ea., ground ones are a lot more but are the equivalent of a central heating boiler. I don't think thats a starter. Sounds as if someone will have to do some serious work to fit it. He doesn't allow people to come to the house to do any work ( He nearly sacked my window cleaner last week just because he doesn't want any callers. I tend to pay the cleaner several months in advance so he doesn't have to knock but despite that he was heard last week). As for subsidy - in your dreams. We don't get those. They claimed that about insulation but even though OH has retired and has a works pension we do not qualify for any subsidy. He retired because his firm wanted to make him redundant ( and retire him) rather than have to sack a youngster. They asked the old ones to leave and retire, and he hasn't got over it. I know that sounds as if a window cleaner is an extravagance I can cut , but if I do , I would have to do the windows and I don't want to ( or we can have grimy windows). I would get a gardener but he wont let me have that either ( just to cut the hedges). I am beginning to feel old and not capable of doing it any more but if I say that he will make us move to a retirement apartment and I don't want to move for the sake of simple things like a gardener ( besides I am not old enough)/ Sorry about the whinge. My mower has just decided to pack up on me yesterday and I cant do the grass. Never mind. Thanks for the information about electric costs. |
#84
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Electricity costs.
In message , sweetheart
writes "dennis@home" wrote in message ... "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message .. . Get the dehumidifier, it will stop mould as mould doesn't grow when its dry. I am going out today ( without HIM) to look for one of these. I am tired of dampp clothes. I can dry them outside, bring them in and they get damp again. If you have the cash you could get an air (or ground) sourced heat pump, they provide about three times as much heat out as the electricity in, there are also grants (or were a few months ago) if you are old or on benefits. Air sourced heat pumps start at about £400 ea., ground ones are a lot more but are the equivalent of a central heating boiler. I don't think thats a starter. Sounds as if someone will have to do some serious work to fit it. He doesn't allow people to come to the house to do any work ( He nearly sacked my window cleaner last week just because he doesn't want any callers. I tend to pay the cleaner several months in advance so he doesn't have to knock but despite that he was heard last week). Feel free the tell me to go away as I'm being patronising, but is your other half around at home during the day all the time, or does he have things he does outside the home. Leaving work leaves a big hole for some people, with no work to occupy the brain it leaves it free to worry about other things. It really sound like your hubby might be in that situation. Though I realise he might not be in the frame of mind to tackle it. My FIL managed a Jazz band for a while after he retired. There are loads of volunteering opportunities around. It should be possible to find something that is satisfying and utilises work skills, or other interests, or even is a way to learn new ones. As for subsidy - in your dreams. We don't get those. They claimed that about insulation but even though OH has retired and has a works pension we do not qualify for any subsidy. He retired because his firm wanted to make him redundant ( and retire him) rather than have to sack a youngster. They asked the old ones to leave and retire, and he hasn't got over it. That can be tough. My wife's Uncle was in a similar situation re being 'pushed' out into early retirement. Re subsidies, it depends. a lot of the ones for renewable energy stuff are available to anyone - but you still need to pay significant upfront costs as well. To get free insulation you probably need to be in receipt of the sate pension, or on various benefits. but pretty much everyone is eligible for the subsided insulation via the power companies (assuming what they have is poor enough) hope you can get some where with all this. -- Chris French |
#85
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Electricity costs.
He retired because his firm wanted to make him
redundant ( and retire him) rather than have to sack a youngster. They asked the old ones to leave and retire, and he hasn't got over it. Sounds like the root cause of a lot of problems. I just couldn't imagine why it would be like to be made redundant at say late 50's or in my 60's. Thats prolly why I've worked for my own outfit/s since 1985. Can't he get a part time job or even do some voluntary work?. Quite a few older people here work in B&Q and other supermarkets, and do voluntary work at the local hospital such as drivers for patients etc?. It would give him something to do. Just what a relative of ours needs after retirement taken too early;!... They have far too much spare time on their hands in which to think negative thoughts;(.. I know that sounds as if a window cleaner is an ex travagance I can cut , but if I do , I would have to do the windows and I don't want to ( or we can have grimy windows). Not the end of the world. Can't he do that job?.. I would get a gardener but he wont let me have that either ( just to cut the hedges). I am beginning to feel old and not capable of doing it any more Why can't he do that?.. but if I say that he will make us move to a retirement apartment and I don't want to move for the sake of simple things like a gardener ( besides I am not old enough)/ Sorry about the whinge. My mower has just decided to pack up on me yesterday and I cant do the grass. Never mind. Thanks for the information about electric costs. -- Tony Sayer |
#86
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Electricity costs.
Feel free the tell me to go away as I'm being patronising, but is your
other half around at home during the day all the time, or does he have things he does outside the home. Leaving work leaves a big hole for some people, with no work to occupy the brain it leaves it free to worry about other things. It really sound like your hubby might be in that situation. Though I realise he might not be in the frame of mind to tackle it. I think you've hit a nail rather hard there Chris. Now oddly enough my lady missus is a very industrial person and never seems to be happier when shes got more work than she can handle. 'Tho she will like all ladies grumble a just a 'lil ole bit;!.. However when she doesn't have any work on in the longer holidays or is on holiday for longer then a few days then the 'grumblin level is worse much worse!. My Mum was just the same;!. Same principle I reckon;!.... -- Tony Sayer |
#87
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Electricity costs.
"tony sayer" wrote in message ... Sounds like the root cause of a lot of problems. I just couldn't imagine why it would be like to be made redundant at say late 50's or in my 60's. He is 60. He had worked for the same firm as an apprentice and a worker since he was 16. I dont think he ever thought there would be a time he would have to retire - certainly not be made to go at 59. Can't he get a part time job or even do some voluntary work?. Quite a few older people here work in B&Q and other supermarkets, and do voluntary work at the local hospital such as drivers for patients etc?. He did try for some jobs and even got interviews but for some reason didnt land the jobs and now he doesnt bother. He doesnt interview well I guess. I know that sounds as if a window cleaner is an ex travagance I can cut , but if I do , I would have to do the windows and I don't want to ( or we can have grimy windows). Not the end of the world. Can't he do that job?.. He wont. I was without a window cleaner for three years ( after old one retired) and he wouldnt help me do the windows. In the end I hired another window cleaner I would get a gardener but he wont let me have that either ( just to cut the hedges). I am beginning to feel old and not capable of doing it any more Why can't he do that?.. He wont. Its not that he cannot. He just wont. Just as he is a plumber by trade but I couldnt get him to fit a bathroom and when he did he made it take six weeks so that I would realise I dont want these things done. I got my bathroom though ;-) |
#88
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Electricity costs.
sweetheart wrote:
Just as he is a plumber by trade but I couldnt get him to fit a bathroom and when he did he made it take six weeks so that I would realise I dont want these things done. I got my bathroom though ;-) He isn't called Larry is he? |
#89
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Electricity costs.
sweetheart hotmail.com wrote:
"tony sayer" wrote in message ... Sounds like the root cause of a lot of problems. I just couldn't imagine why it would be like to be made redundant at say late 50's or in my 60's. He is 60. He had worked for the same firm as an apprentice and a worker since he was 16. I dont think he ever thought there would be a time he would have to retire - certainly not be made to go at 59. Can't he get a part time job or even do some voluntary work?. Quite a few older people here work in B&Q and other supermarkets, and do voluntary work at the local hospital such as drivers for patients etc?. He did try for some jobs and even got interviews but for some reason didnt land the jobs and now he doesnt bother. He doesnt interview well I guess. I know that sounds as if a window cleaner is an ex travagance I can cut , but if I do , I would have to do the windows and I don't want to ( or we can have grimy windows). Not the end of the world. Can't he do that job?.. He wont. I was without a window cleaner for three years ( after old one retired) and he wouldnt help me do the windows. In the end I hired another window cleaner I would get a gardener but he wont let me have that either ( just to cut the hedges). I am beginning to feel old and not capable of doing it any more Why can't he do that?.. He wont. Its not that he cannot. He just wont. Just as he is a plumber by trade but I couldnt get him to fit a bathroom and when he did he made it take six weeks so that I would realise I dont want these things done. I got my bathroom though ;-) So swap him for some younger cock and stop whinging. Or become a lesbian or something. And if anyone thinks that I am rude then **** You. Sweatheart is a troll. She could not even remember her previous name before she changed it to Sweatheart when she trolled before. Sweatheart, either go buy a dildo or **** off. -- Adam |
#90
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Electricity costs.
On 17 Aug, 21:06, "ARWadsworth"
wrote: sweetheart hotmail.com wrote: "tony sayer" wrote in message ... Sounds like the root cause of a lot of problems. I just couldn't imagine why it would be like to be made redundant at say late 50's or in my 60's. He is 60. He had worked for the same firm as an apprentice and a worker since he was 16. I dont think he ever thought there would be a time he would have to retire - certainly not be made to go at 59. Can't he get a part time job or even do some voluntary work?. Quite a few older people here work in B&Q and other supermarkets, and do voluntary work at the local hospital such as drivers for patients etc?. He did try for *some jobs and even got interviews but for some reason didnt land the jobs and now he doesnt bother. *He doesnt interview well I guess. I know that sounds as if a window cleaner is an ex travagance I can cut , but if I do *, I would have to do the windows and I don't want to ( or we can have grimy windows). Not the end of the world. Can't he do that job?.. He wont. *I was without a window cleaner for three years ( after old one retired) *and he wouldnt help me do the windows. In the end I hired another window cleaner *I would get a gardener *but he wont let me have that either ( just to cut the hedges). I am beginning to feel old and not capable of doing it any more Why can't he do that?.. He wont. *Its not that he cannot. He just wont. Just as he is a plumber by trade but I couldnt get him to fit a bathroom and when he did he made it take six weeks so that I would realise I dont want these things done. I got my bathroom though ;-) So swap him for some younger cock and stop whinging. Or become a lesbian or something. And if anyone thinks that I am rude then **** You. Sweatheart is a troll. She could not even remember her previous name before she changed it to Sweatheart when she trolled before. Sweatheart, either go buy a dildo or **** off. -- Adam I vaguely recall some complex story about a rotten shower base - was that the one? Got a link to it? |
#91
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Electricity costs.
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#92
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Electricity costs.
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#93
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Electricity costs.
On Aug 17, 9:17*pm, "ARWadsworth"
wrote: Sweatheart is a troll. She could not even remember her previous name before she changed it to Sweatheart when she trolled before. You are getting close. -- Adam- Hide quoted text - Do you know I was thinking along exactly the same lines. I was going to type out a response to the original question but thought I'd hold fire and let some others go first. Its probably Drivel in his latest incarnation given that his normal alter ego hasn't posted in a few days. Perhaps they've changed his pills or upped his dosage. I don't know any female that would live in a house that had mould and must(?!). Now Adam, keep your eyes out for the next troll thread and subject! Those darn trolls keep getting cleverer! Dave. |
#94
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Electricity costs.
1 - There is nothing to stop the OP husband doing handyman work.
That could be anything, and at least gives him something to do and some "routine" of say 2 days a week. It gets him out of the house, gets him interested AND he can choose his clients. Age Concern often need people, they may require references, but there is a variety of work he could do. 2 - Dehumidifier will make a difference. Shop around, it is one appliance where a 2yr warranty or 3yr warranty for £9.99 is a good idea because it covers you if it fails sooner (the bearings DO tend to seize on the big radial fan, you need a smoke alarm in the same room - battery is fine). I think John Lewis used to do a free 2yr and prices were competitive. You can buy energy monitors for £9.99 also re monitoring how much it uses AND putting money aside if you have to. As a guide, running 7hrs/day at 100% (they have a humidistat), drawing 350W for 365 days a year is £107/yr at peak rate or under £50 if run overnight on an E7 timer. Not something you probably wanted to hear, but they are not cheap to run. They DO provide a little heating incidentally, so it is not as though the £50-107/yr energy is completely wasted. Crack a window upstairs whenever you can to get ventilation re damp & mould removal. You need a separate bank account. You need a separate savings account - indeed two, keep one just for electricity and say you will pay the bill, *full stop*. |
#95
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Electricity costs.
In message
, Dave Starling writes On Aug 17, 9:17*pm, "ARWadsworth" wrote: Sweatheart is a troll. She could not even remember her previous name before she changed it to Sweatheart when she trolled before. You are getting close. -- Adam- Hide quoted text - Do you know I was thinking along exactly the same lines. I was going to type out a response to the original question but thought I'd hold fire and let some others go first. Its probably Drivel in his latest incarnation given that his normal alter ego hasn't posted in a few days. Perhaps they've changed his pills or upped his dosage. I don't know any female that would live in a house that had mould and must(?!). Now Adam, keep your eyes out for the next troll thread and subject! Those darn trolls keep getting cleverer! Well thank you -- geoff |
#96
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Electricity costs.
js.b1 wrote:
1 - There is nothing to stop the OP husband doing handyman work. Apart from the fact that he does not exist That could be anything, and at least gives him something to do and some "routine" of say 2 days a week. It gets him out of the house, gets him interested AND he can choose his clients. I'll not comment on that one. -- Adam |
#97
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Electricity costs.
geoff wrote:
In message , Dave Starling writes On Aug 17, 9:17 pm, "ARWadsworth" wrote: Sweatheart is a troll. She could not even remember her previous name before she changed it to Sweatheart when she trolled before. You are getting close. -- Adam- Hide quoted text - Do you know I was thinking along exactly the same lines. I was going to type out a response to the original question but thought I'd hold fire and let some others go first. Its probably Drivel in his latest incarnation given that his normal alter ego hasn't posted in a few days. Perhaps they've changed his pills or upped his dosage. I don't know any female that would live in a house that had mould and must(?!). Now Adam, keep your eyes out for the next troll thread and subject! Those darn trolls keep getting cleverer! Well thank you Nice to see you back Geoff. -- Adam |
#98
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Electricity costs.
wrote in message ... On 17 Aug, 21:06, "ARWadsworth" wrote: sweetheart hotmail.com wrote: "tony sayer" wrote in message ... Sounds like the root cause of a lot of problems. I just couldn't imagine why it would be like to be made redundant at say late 50's or in my 60's. He is 60. He had worked for the same firm as an apprentice and a worker since he was 16. I dont think he ever thought there would be a time he would have to retire - certainly not be made to go at 59. Can't he get a part time job or even do some voluntary work?. Quite a few older people here work in B&Q and other supermarkets, and do voluntary work at the local hospital such as drivers for patients etc?. He did try for some jobs and even got interviews but for some reason didnt land the jobs and now he doesnt bother. He doesnt interview well I guess. I know that sounds as if a window cleaner is an ex travagance I can cut , but if I do , I would have to do the windows and I don't want to ( or we can have grimy windows). Not the end of the world. Can't he do that job?.. He wont. I was without a window cleaner for three years ( after old one retired) and he wouldnt help me do the windows. In the end I hired another window cleaner I would get a gardener but he wont let me have that either ( just to cut the hedges). I am beginning to feel old and not capable of doing it any more Why can't he do that?.. He wont. Its not that he cannot. He just wont. Just as he is a plumber by trade but I couldnt get him to fit a bathroom and when he did he made it take six weeks so that I would realise I dont want these things done. I got my bathroom though ;-) So swap him for some younger cock and stop whinging. Or become a lesbian or something. And if anyone thinks that I am rude then **** You. Sweatheart is a troll. She could not even remember her previous name before she changed it to Sweatheart when she trolled before. Sweatheart, either go buy a dildo or **** off. -- Adam I vaguely recall some complex story about a rotten shower base - was that the one? Got a link to it? No I don't think so. My shower is over the bath and always has been. I complained about snails all over my bathroom and in the bath. As for not recalling a name I had 2 years or more ago ( before I had to swap computers). I have a bad memory. I cant even recall names of those I work with from June just gone. Its a feature of me. |
#99
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Electricity costs.
"js.b1" wrote in message ... 1 - There is nothing to stop the OP husband doing handyman work. That could be anything, and at least gives him something to do and some "routine" of say 2 days a week. It gets him out of the house, gets him interested AND he can choose his clients. Its not that there is anything to stop him. He wont. Thats the way he is. Some people are get up and go, some have to be told. I love my husband and I dont need people criticising him from their own ways of life here. I dont need to be called a troll either. OK, so my life is different to yours. OK so my husnamd is in your eyes a waster. In mine he was a good provider for 35 years. He clothed us and fed us. But he is a shy man. He doent like people and finds it hard to go out and do things in the way you siggest ( Hell so do I. I guess thats why I married him). I know he is obsessed with money. He always has been. I know he doesnt do diy. I have done it mostly, but since he has been home I have been unable to do much myself because he stops me. When he was at work I had peoplein and.or did it myself whilst he was out. All I wanted from people was what I asked. I wanted a comparison of electric prioces because he wont let me have the electric on because he says its too expensibve and I am extravegant wanting it. When he was at work, he didnt know, he had no time to look. Yes, he might be ill. but I cannot do anything about that. I can only try and deal with each day and each problem I have as it arrives. In the past I have had some good advice and help from people and I was told I could ask anytime. Now you just want to make fun and call me a troll. Thanks for the help and information. Age Concern often need people, they may require references, but there is a variety of work he could do. 2 - Dehumidifier will make a difference. Shop around, it is one appliance where a 2yr warranty or 3yr warranty for £9.99 is a good idea because it covers you if it fails sooner (the bearings DO tend to seize on the big radial fan, you need a smoke alarm in the same room - battery is fine). I think John Lewis used to do a free 2yr and prices were competitive. You can buy energy monitors for £9.99 also re monitoring how much it uses AND putting money aside if you have to. As a guide, running 7hrs/day at 100% (they have a humidistat), drawing 350W for 365 days a year is £107/yr at peak rate or under £50 if run overnight on an E7 timer. Not something you probably wanted to hear, but they are not cheap to run. They DO provide a little heating incidentally, so it is not as though the £50-107/yr energy is completely wasted. Crack a window upstairs whenever you can to get ventilation re damp & mould removal. You need a separate bank account. You need a separate savings account - indeed two, keep one just for electricity and say you will pay the bill, *full stop*. |
#100
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Electricity costs.
"ARWadsworth" wrote in message news:l7Cao.115065$9R.100387@hurricane... wrote: On 17 Aug, 21:06, "ARWadsworth" wrote: sweetheart hotmail.com wrote: "tony sayer" wrote in message ... So swap him for some younger cock and stop whinging. Or become a lesbian or something. And if anyone thinks that I am rude then **** You. Sweatheart is a troll. She could not even remember her previous name before she changed it to Sweatheart when she trolled before. Sweatheart, either go buy a dildo or **** off. -- Adam I vaguely recall some complex story about a rotten shower base - was that the one? Got a link to it? You are getting close. -- Adam I hesitate to say it because I doubt it is worth it, but surely someone who is rude and nasty with his typeface should be questioned more than me? But then, most people have never been any good at spotting a real wind up merchant ( the kind who never believe anything. Always want to say how good they are. Always want to be nasty to others), But I wont blame anyone. I find it hard to spot the genuine from the stupid and generally rude too. But I tend to believe people unless I have real evidence. Not just dismiss them because what they say doesnt sound like what you would do yourself. |
#101
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"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message news "ARWadsworth" wrote in message news:l7Cao.115065$9R.100387@hurricane... wrote: On 17 Aug, 21:06, "ARWadsworth" wrote: sweetheart hotmail.com wrote: "tony sayer" wrote in message ... And yes, I am up at 4 am in the morning. I cant sleep because I am having breathing difficulties again. But I have far more worries than whether some poster by the name of AR Wadsworth wants to believe any woman would continue to live in a damp house. I think your posts say more about you than about me. Sexualized terms and sexualized rudeness ought to ring alarm bells in any other poster, but obviously it doesn't. |
#102
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Electricity costs.
I vaguely recall some complex story about a rotten shower base - was that the one? Got a link to it? No I don't think so. My shower is over the bath and always has been. I complained about snails all over my bathroom and in the bath. Ah - yes - that's the one: http://groups.google.co.uk/group/uk....5f0c9c f844a5 http://tinyurl.com/23mw6eb |
#103
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Electricity costs.
On 15 Aug, 17:11, chris French
wrote: In message , sweetheart writes "Roger Mills" wrote in message ... On 15/08/2010 10:26, sweetheart wrote: "The Wanderer" wrote in message t... On Sun, 15 Aug 2010 09:40:13 +0100, Andy Cap wrote: I'm also sorry to appear flippant, BUT, you problem is not the electricity but your husband. Ditto all wot he said. Do you manage the account wholly on-line? Most suppliers now offer a discount if you opt for a fully on-line managed account. I get an extra 10% discount on my account. No, to do this would be cheaper I know - about £30 cheaper but to be honest I have a phone bill on line and its a pain. I can never see what we are paying. I like to get the bill and see it. At least that way I know whats going on. I don't understand that. You may not get a paper bill in the post - but *with most suppliers you can access a bill online and print it out if you *wish. That is certainly true with my BT phone bills and my Scottish Power *and Southern Electric energy bills. That has not been my experience with either BT or videophone ( my mobile phone). The bills are erratic. Regularity seems to just the same. I used to get a paper bill as well as the online ones for BT the paper bill would come through the door within a few days of the online one being ready. When I do see the bill it isn't like having a paper copy in my had to read. I can rarely make sense of them As has been said, you can always view a pdf (I always save a copy of the pdf copy locally as well) or print it out. Finally online bill management *seems to mean you have no right of recourse to speak to anyone, it has to be done online. I wouldn't say never, there are too many options out there. But none of mine suppliers. (BG, Npower and BT) Bg is a web specific tariff, were we don't get the option of paper bills, but I can still phone someone up with a query. The others are just paperless billing options for discount. I can still ring them. But bottom line is, I would like a bill sent . I am old fashioned and want to sit and read it . Fair enough. But you are paying for that. Don't know what tarrif you might be on, but for us with BG we would pay about £150 pa more on the standard tariff compared to the online one we have Re the original question. FWIW, I think your consumption is reasonable. I'd guess that maybe 2/3 consumption goes on heating and HW then around 300 GBP for all the rest seems reasonable. I think you are right in you belief that there aren't significant savings to be made given that you seem to be using stuff sensibly. Sure you might trim a little off by using washing machines/DW less - but you still ahev to washup/do washing, but there are limits. eg. I'd not consider a couple of hours of immersion heater a luxury. Boiling water every time you want HW is a faff,as is having to plan ahead for wanting a shower or bath For a possibly not very helpful comparison We are a family of 4 - 2 kids, around a lot in the day. Gas for HW and CH. Largish 4 bed Victorian house, with probably too many computers etc and lights getting left on. Annual consumption up to end of July was about 8200 kwh, which on our tariff (Click energy 6) was about GBP 725 -- Chris French- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Re electricity consumption. I had one of those plugin gadgets that measures power consumption, power factor & all the rest of it. I was expecting to find our freezer & fridge were the main culprits for power use but it wasn't. It was the television! Our freezer is about ten years old and came second. Maybe OP should check it's not running too cold & adjust thermostat if neccesary. Listen to the radio! ;-) |
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Electricity costs.
On 15 Aug, 19:20, tony sayer wrote:
In article , sweetheart hotmail.com@?.? scribeth thus "tony sayer" wrote in message ... What I really needed to know as per my original question is *are my electricity costs exorbitant in terms of other peoples or is my OH being unrealistic in his expectations of reducing it further? That's why I gave the figures. Ever thought of asking the neighbours if they have similar properties?... Ah, well aside of the fact I dont know my neighbours well enough for that, I am afraid *we do not have similar properties. I live in a rural hamlet and all the houses are different. My one neighbour has a 1980's built *four bed house and the other a two bed 1977 built house . Both use wood fires for heating. I have a large detached bungalow on a smallholding with two beds ( could be three *if some enterprising family wanted to shuffle up in the sitting room using it as a diner or even using the kitchen as a diner *instead of having it as a large room and having separate kitchen and dining rooms. *Mine was built in 1958. * *There were no other houses around back then. * There was a small build of houses further up the valley *in the 1980's but they are not comparable in any way. But as I said, I really would not feel able to ask. Ever thought about going LPG gas or solid fuel heating or would that be too much up front Capx spend?.. -- Tony Sayer- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - LPG is a fuel of last resort. More expensive even than storage heaters. BTW, do your storage heaters have a controlled ouput, ie fans? If not, this could be your whole problem. |
#105
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Electricity costs.
On 16 Aug, 09:23, "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:
"tony sayer" wrote in message ... He *just wont spend the money. Has he got the money to spend?. Sounds like if your getting chest infections because of mould then thats a serious problem. Perhaps either too much moisture in the building or too many cold surfaces for it to condense on.. This is moot. *He says we havent. *He scrutinises all the bills and claims we cannot afford them. However, I work *, although its only part time. I get about £906 month take home in a standard month. If I work overtime I can get maybe £200 more sometimes but that cannot be counted on. My husband retired a couple of years ago and gets a pension of £830 month after tax *from his ex employer. He also has an interest payment of £121 month coming in from investments.currently *( but that cant be totally relied on either as it could go down in the future - but not for at least 12 months) . We do not get any benefits and he is not old enough for a state pension *and cant claim pension credit. We have no mortgage. The electric bill is as I said. *No other fuel. *Our biggest monthly bill is the council tax at £128 a month and the house insurance at £20 a month ( just gone up) We run a car ( I have to go to work). If you are asking do we have money in the bank to pay the bills - then , yes we do. *But other half believes we have to save as much as possible because one day we will be bankrupt because we spend it. I am not sure what ( other than christmas presents *) we do spend it on.. *In fact, we dont. The bank balance shows that but OH is a "saver" . He wont spend on anything. *He has become more *obsessed since he retired. Well you have a greater income than my wife and myself. We have a bigger house I think but not much & we grow some of our own food. We do have foriegn holidays most years. I think your husband has time on his hands. He needs something to do instead of fretting about money sat in the house all day alone. Perhaps become a volunteer. He may have a thing in his mind about you earning money and him not. I'm told it's common. I think this recession is worrying a lot of people. Especially if they've had bad experiences in the last one. |
#106
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Electricity costs.
"harry" wrote in message ... On 15 Aug, 17:11, chris French wrote: In message , sweetheart writes For a possibly not very helpful comparison We are a family of 4 - 2 kids, around a lot in the day. Gas for HW and CH. Largish 4 bed Victorian house, with probably too many computers etc and lights getting left on. Annual consumption up to end of July was about 8200 kwh, which on our tariff (Click energy 6) was about GBP 725 -- Chris French- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Re electricity consumption. I had one of those plugin gadgets that measures power consumption, power factor & all the rest of it. I was expecting to find our freezer & fridge were the main culprits for power use but it wasn't. It was the television! Our freezer is about ten years old and came second. Maybe OP should check it's not running too cold & adjust thermostat if neccesary. Listen to the radio! ;-) I wouldn't put it past being the TV. Thanks. How much would a plug in gadget cost? If it is the TV ( OH has it on all night because he goes to bed late and gets up late and then puts it on all afternoon ) then I might be able to make my case for having heating. |
#107
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Electricity costs.
On 16 Aug, 12:49, matthelliwell wrote:
On 16 Aug, 12:15, "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote: Its not a relationship problem. Its DIY because I love him to bits. In that case, is there anywhere to fit a wood burning stove? There's normally plenty of scrap wood around you can burn so running costs are low and they can chuck out plenty of heat. Matt I have fitted wood burning stoves. DIYing it the cost was more that £1000. More than that now I expect. The chimney is the expensive bit. |
#108
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Electricity costs.
"harry" wrote in message ... On 15 Aug, 19:20, tony sayer wrote: In article , sweetheart hotmail.com@?.? scribeth thus - Show quoted text - LPG is a fuel of last resort. More expensive even than storage heaters. BTW, do your storage heaters have a controlled ouput, ie fans? If not, this could be your whole problem. They have input and output but they do not have fans. The two new ones are supposed to be the eco friendly greenie type which use less energy. The others are older ( smaller) but still have input and output controls just like the new ones). |
#109
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Electricity costs.
On 16 Aug, 21:47, "dennis@home" wrote:
"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message ... No, but I have a bad chest as a result of a previous bout. *Any infection will trigger me in a cold and damp home especially with the mould. The mould spores get onto my chest and makes me ill too. *But OH doesnt listen. The mould breeds in cold and damp in our house - put the heat on and it goes away. *Until my OH went of this eco / cost binge we had the heating on in winter and never had any mould *in any room. *Now we have it all over the house and frankly the place stinks of must. Get the dehumidifier, it will stop mould as mould doesn't grow when its dry. If you have the cash you could get an air (or ground) sourced heat pump, they provide about three times as much heat out as the electricity in, there are also grants (or were a few months ago) if you are old or on benefits. Air sourced heat pumps start at about £400 ea., ground ones are a lot more but are the equivalent of a central heating boiler. - Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Air source heat pumps don't work well when you need them, ie when it's cold. The big advantage with all heat pumps is there is virtually no maintenance compared with a gas boiler. |
#110
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Electricity costs.
In message , sweetheart
writes "harry" wrote in message ... Re electricity consumption. I had one of those plugin gadgets that measures power consumption, power factor & all the rest of it. I was expecting to find our freezer & fridge were the main culprits for power use but it wasn't. It was the television! Our freezer is about ten years old and came second. Maybe OP should check it's not running too cold & adjust thermostat if neccesary. Listen to the radio! ;-) I wouldn't put it past being the TV. Thanks. How much would a plug in gadget cost? Around £15 from ebay. This is the one I have (though I got mine a bit cheaper) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electricity-Po...er-KWH-Watt-NE W-/120576849118 There are some that are cheaper, but this one does take account of the power factor which makes it more accurate, some chepaer one smay not. They often don't say. Things I don't like are it has no backlight to the LCD, so can be hard to read when still plugged in sometimes, but it also has no battery backup, so as soon as you unplug it loses all the data -- Chris French |
#111
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Electricity costs.
sweetheart wrote:
"sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote in message news "ARWadsworth" wrote in message news:l7Cao.115065$9R.100387@hurricane... wrote: On 17 Aug, 21:06, "ARWadsworth" wrote: sweetheart hotmail.com wrote: "tony sayer" wrote in message ... And yes, I am up at 4 am in the morning. I cant sleep because I am having breathing difficulties again. But I have far more worries than whether some poster by the name of AR Wadsworth wants to believe any woman would continue to live in a damp house. Its a problem at this time of the year. Peak period for rusts and spores |
#112
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Electricity costs.
chris French wrote:
In message , sweetheart writes Around £15 from ebay. This is the one I have (though I got mine a bit cheaper) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electricity-Po...er-KWH-Watt-NE W-/120576849118 There are some that are cheaper, but this one does take account of the power factor which makes it more accurate, some chepaer one smay not. They often don't say. Or this one from Maplin at £12.99 http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=38343#helpfaq Chris -- Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh. |
#113
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Electricity costs.
On 18 Aug, 08:17, "sweetheart" hotmail.com wrote:
"harry" wrote in message ... On 15 Aug, 17:11, chris French wrote: In message , sweetheart writes For a possibly not very helpful comparison We are a family of 4 - 2 kids, around a lot in the day. Gas for HW and CH. Largish 4 bed Victorian house, with probably too many computers etc and lights getting left on. Annual consumption up to end of July was about 8200 kwh, which on our tariff (Click energy 6) was about GBP 725 -- Chris French- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Re electricity consumption. *I had one of those plugin gadgets that measures power consumption, power factor & all the rest of it. I was expecting to find our freezer & fridge were the main culprits for power use but it wasn't. It was the television! Our freezer is about ten years old and came second. *Maybe OP should check it's not running too cold & adjust thermostat if neccesary. Listen to the radio! * ;-) I wouldn't put it past being the TV. Thanks. * How much would a plug in gadget cost? If it is the TV ( OH *has it on all night because he goes to bed late and gets up late and then puts it on all afternoon ) then I might be able to make my case for having heating. I had the device from the library. The local council was having a "green initiative". So i had to give it back of course. At that time they were about £12.00 |
#114
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Electricity costs.
On 18 Aug, 09:28, chris French
wrote: In message , sweetheart writes "harry" wrote in message ... Re electricity consumption. *I had one of those plugin gadgets that measures power consumption, power factor & all the rest of it. I was expecting to find our freezer & fridge were the main culprits for power use but it wasn't. It was the television! Our freezer is about ten years old and came second. *Maybe OP should check it's not running too cold & adjust thermostat if neccesary. Listen to the radio! * ;-) I wouldn't put it past being the TV. Thanks. * How much would a plug in gadget cost? Around £15 from ebay. This is the one I have (though I got mine a bit cheaper) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electricity-Po...er-KWH-Watt-NE W-/120576849118 There are some that are cheaper, but this one does take account of the power factor which makes it more accurate, some chepaer one smay not. They often don't say. Things I don't like are it has no backlight to the LCD, so can be hard to read *when still plugged in sometimes, but it also has no battery backup, so as soon as you unplug it loses all the data -- Chris French Power factor for the home is near as dammit to unity, so irrelevent really. |
#115
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Electricity costs.
In message , Chris J Dixon
writes chris French wrote: In message , sweetheart writes Around £15 from ebay. This is the one I have (though I got mine a bit cheaper) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electricity-Po...er-KWH-Watt-NE W-/120576849118 There are some that are cheaper, but this one does take account of the power factor which makes it more accurate, some chepaer one smay not. They often don't say. Or this one from Maplin at £12.99 http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=38343#helpfaq Which is exactly the same as the one in the link I gave, though cheaper though when I got mine Maplins were selling them for about £30. -- Chris French |
#116
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Electricity costs.
harry wrote:
On 18 Aug, 09:28, chris French wrote: In message , sweetheart writes "harry" wrote in message ... Re electricity consumption. I had one of those plugin gadgets that measures power consumption, power factor & all the rest of it. I was expecting to find our freezer & fridge were the main culprits for power use but it wasn't. It was the television! Our freezer is about ten years old and came second. Maybe OP should check it's not running too cold & adjust thermostat if neccesary. Listen to the radio! ;-) I wouldn't put it past being the TV. Thanks. How much would a plug in gadget cost? Around £15 from ebay. This is the one I have (though I got mine a bit cheaper) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electricity-Po...er-KWH-Watt-NE W-/120576849118 There are some that are cheaper, but this one does take account of the power factor which makes it more accurate, some chepaer one smay not. They often don't say. Things I don't like are it has no backlight to the LCD, so can be hard to read when still plugged in sometimes, but it also has no battery backup, so as soon as you unplug it loses all the data -- Chris French Power factor for the home is near as dammit to unity, so irrelevent really. depends on what you are running of course. Motosrt will not be. Any SMPS has a power factor so vile its best not to mention it in polite company. All the RF filters are essentially capacitative, but not of great size, Only lights and heaters are truly eresistive. |
#117
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Electricity costs.
sweetheart wrote:
"harry" wrote in message ... On 15 Aug, 17:11, chris French wrote: In message , sweetheart writes For a possibly not very helpful comparison We are a family of 4 - 2 kids, around a lot in the day. Gas for HW and CH. Largish 4 bed Victorian house, with probably too many computers etc and lights getting left on. Annual consumption up to end of July was about 8200 kwh, which on our tariff (Click energy 6) was about GBP 725 Re electricity consumption. I had one of those plugin gadgets that measures power consumption, power factor & all the rest of it. I was expecting to find our freezer & fridge were the main culprits for power use but it wasn't. It was the television! Our freezer is about ten years old and came second. Maybe OP should check it's not running too cold & adjust thermostat if neccesary. Listen to the radio! ;-) I wouldn't put it past being the TV. Thanks. How much would a plug in gadget cost? I got mine free from British Gas following a recommendation in this forum some months ago (despite not being a customer) - don't know if that's still available? David |
#118
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Electricity costs.
On 20 Aug, 07:54, Lobster wrote:
sweetheart wrote: "harry" wrote in message .... On 15 Aug, 17:11, chris French wrote: In message , sweetheart writes For a possibly not very helpful comparison We are a family of 4 - 2 kids, around a lot in the day. Gas for HW and CH. Largish 4 bed Victorian house, with probably too many computers etc and lights getting left on. Annual consumption up to end of July was about 8200 kwh, which on our tariff (Click energy 6) was about GBP 725 Re electricity consumption. *I had one of those plugin gadgets that measures power consumption, power factor & all the rest of it. I was expecting to find our freezer & fridge were the main culprits for power use but it wasn't. It was the television! Our freezer is about ten years old and came second. *Maybe OP should check it's not running too cold & adjust thermostat if neccesary. Listen to the radio! * ;-) I wouldn't put it past being the TV. Thanks. * How much would a plug in gadget cost? I got mine free from British Gas following a recommendation in this forum some months ago (despite not being a customer) - don't know if that's still available? David- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - The problem with a lot of them is that it does a lo of things the average person isn't interested in. Just makes them more confusing to work. |
#119
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Electricity costs.
chris French wrote:
Which is exactly the same as the one in the link I gave, though cheaper though when I got mine Maplins were selling them for about £30. This is a tenner, and includes a 5-way power strip as well: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...No=348228#spec Seems to work fine, not that I've calibrated it against anything. Theo |
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