[Connor_EONNext]

Hello Community 👋

It's that time of the year where all of our energy bills can rise - especially with the cold weather we've all been having ❄

The team have made a handy video on YouTube - this aims to give some tips and tricks on how you can reduce your energy bills. 📉 If you find yourself wondering How you can save money on heating and hot water, how smart thermostats could benefit you, how solar panels could save you money or even how energy saving is good for the economy ⚡- then take a look below ⬇

How have you been trying to keep costs down during the cold period? Any tips and tricks you can share with us?

We also have our wonderful Sustainable Living and Energy Saving section that has a post Top 10 energy saving tips by the lovely @Tommysgirl 🙌

[meldrewreborn]

@Connor_EONNext

I thought it was trumpeted recently that the last UK coal powered generation plant had shut down. That being the case, reducing electricity consumption cannot any longer reduce coal importation. Just saying!

[retrotecchie]

@meldrewreborn

Our last coal-fired generation at Ratcliffe on Soar was shut down for the last time on 30 September 2024. No more coal generation since then 👍

We still import coal for all the heritage railways, but that's a pretty meagre amount. Port Talbot no longer needs coking coal since they shut down the last blast furnace. Wales's CO2 emmissions dropped by 45% overnight 😎

[Andy65]

I found that video to be disappointing if I'm honest, it looks to me as if it's aimed at a particular demographic.

[retrotecchie]

@Andy65

Yes, the 'hard of thinking'...

[ANN8619]

These small changes mentioned in the video don’t seem to make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things 🤔. If you really want to save, it’s worth looking into having your home properly insulated or replacing your boiler. There is some funding available that allow some to do it for free like ECO4 Scheme. My mum had first time central heating installed in October, and it made a big difference. Although, I have to say, winter doesn’t seem as harsh this year 🙌

[Connor_EONNext]

@meldrewreborn @retrotecchie ah, I'll have a read up on that 😀 @ANN8619 I definitely think insulation and newer boilers make a huge difference, especially the insulation part. My house at the moment doesn't have that good of an insulation - however whenever I pop to my in-laws it stays nice and toasty even when the heating isn't on 😀

[meldrewreborn]

@Connor_EONNext

everything counts, but whether it’s worth carrying out is key. My home had cavity wall insulation installed in 1978, and in those days you had to pay yourself - no government schemes in those days. But I’ve had 46 complete years of saving and it’s paid for itself many times over. I insulated my loft myself - even there you get into diminishing returns - the first inch saves the most, each subsequent inch saves less than the layer below. Whether a full 12 inch of insulation is really needed requires a lot of calculation, offsetting cost of installation against savings likely.

My boiler is now 37 years old and while it was top rated for efficiency when it was installed, there are better versions available now. But savings from a new boiler might amount to £120 per annum off my gas bill, the cost of a new boiler would be £2,500 - £3,000. Loss of interest would offset the fuel cost saving and there would be nothing left to offset the new boiler cost. The change could never be justified financially.

At the moment the matter is optional, my boiler works fine. If (when) it eventually breaks down permanently, I’ll replace it recognising the excellent service it’s given, and taking marginal comfort from my lower fuel bill.

Note here that I totally ignore climate issues. While I have a choice I’ll stick to making decisions based on the financial cost/benefit to me and my family. If the law changes I’ll comply with that.