[retrotecchie]

@Tommysgirl

I'm fortunate that at my last check up a few weeks ago everything was spot on and my cholesterol numbers are quite low. I was a bit high on blood sugar though, but likely because I'd just necked a packet of Tangfastics (other goodies are available) an hour before they set the leeches on me.

A little treat now and then is OK as long as you are good between times. I've even reduced my sugar intake in coffee from one heaped teaspoon to a level one. My quack thinks that will be beneficial and that moderating the regular intake will counter the odd bag of naughtiness.

But I am partial to a nibble on something sweet, has to be said. 😇

[Tommysgirl]

@retrotecchie

Good news about your cholesterol levels etc, and you'll know now to give the sugar and sweets a swerve a day or two before your next blood test.
Sound advice from your quack about moderating your regular sugar intake in coffee countering the odd packet of sweets.
We all need a treat now and then. There was an old music hall song by Marie Lloyd, that they used to sing on 'The Good Old Days': 'A little of what you fancy does you good!'🤣🤣🤣

[meldrewreborn]

@Tommysgirl @retrotecchie

I think the blood test for Diabetes measures a blood marker that indicates long term sugar levels, and not short term ones. But do your own research.

But here's a starter from Diabetes IK.

An HbA1c test is the main blood test used to diagnose diabetes. It tests your average blood sugar levels for the last two to three months. You don't need to prepare for a HbA1c . It's a quick and simple test where a small amount of blood is taken from a vein in your arm.

[DebF_EONNext]

It's interesting I came across this thread today as I was actually thinking about this last night, how can I make smaller changes to get my energy down my bill is over £200 a month so I need to make changes there's no doubt about it but in an all electric household with an immersion tank it's tricky to keep the costs low 🤔 so my plan is to make the smaller changes around the house.

Three things I am pledging to try doing more of this year to save energy (and money):

1. Batch cooking
2. Investing in a whirlygig so I use the drier less
3. Spending less time at home and getting out into nature 🌳 If I'm outdoors, I shouldn't use as much electricity right?! 😂

Is there anything else that you can think of in terms of small subtle changes that we can make to save a bit more?

[Andy65]

@DebF_EONNext

Presumably you're on E7/10? Maximising the cheaper hours is key.

All of my washing and tumble drying is done before the day rate kicks in, I'm an early riser so it doesn't bother me.

I don't know really but I'd guess that £200 ish per month for all electric may not be that bad on current rates, not that it makes it any better when you've still got to pay the bill.

[DebF_EONNext]

@Andy65 no we are single rate unfortunately with no permission to change it 😏 I was lucky to get a decent tariff just before the last years price hikes but it ends in September so depending what happens in August I might not be so lucky with the next tariff!

[rwh202]

@DebF_EONNext
So no smart meter then?
Is a rollout planned for your area?
Paying normal rate for resistive heating is pricey, don’t envy that!

[DebF_EONNext]

@rwh202 we do have a smart meter - although it's currently not smart 🙄 we are very rural, our village only recently got upgraded to partial fibre (not even full fibre) for broadband 😂 so I can imagine it will be a while before smart is smart here. We also have no timer switch for economy 7/10, it's a funny set up where the tank itself has a timer but it's not connected to the meter 🤨

[rwh202]

A not-smart smart meter doesn’t help then!

We’ve cut our energy use from hot water by only heating the tank every other day and only running hot water for bath or shower.
It takes ages for water to run hot from a tap anyway and all that ‘cold’ water was previously hot water that’s just being wasted.

[meldrewreborn]

@rwh202

most people just don’t appreciate the costs involved in heating water. For my own part I’ve a solar thermal setup which heats my water, with maximum benefit in the summer when the sun is higher for longer, and when external temperatures are better. Now that I’ve got smart metering I’ve been able to separate the water heating times from the radiator heating times and can now measure the gas used to heat both individually. While I can see that my split is working it’s early days to make definitive statements, other than the cost is considerable, despite gas being comparatively cheap. Using full price electricity would be horrendous.

in the past the only comparison I could make was in my total gas consumption pre solar and post solar, and I put the saving at 2500 to 3000 kWh per annum. With gas @ 6p per kWh that comes to a maximum of £180. But electricity is 4 times the price.

all this means that solar thermal delivers marginal return on the capital cost of installation. Mine was council subsidised costing me only £500, so it’s done me well, but not so good for other council tax payers who chipped in £4500!