Energy Saving initiative includes East Dulwich

[kristen]

Dennis came over yesterday and when he left we have a shower which works better, radiator reflectors, energy saving bulbs, a new water saving fitting for my garden hose and upstairs sink and a fantastic smart meter which means I've now become like my dad and turning everything off in an effort to save pennies

Dennis said he's got lots of free appointments so I said I'd post on here to let people know - his number, as above, is 07960 152486

[kford]

The smart meter is great. I had the microwave, washer, oven and kettle on the other day and it nearly exploded.

[sandyman]

Dennis did us yesterday - highly recommended and the scheme won't last forever ? give him a call ASAP.

[jollybaby]

I had an appointment earlier in the week with one of the energy saving advisors - unfortunately he couldn't make it as his car wouldn't start! Made me smile.

[Sue]

kford Wrote:

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> The smart meter is great. I had the microwave,

> washer, oven and kettle on the other day and it

> nearly exploded.

xxxxxx

To my eternal shame, I've had mine sitting on a shelf since Dennis came, and haven't even checked out any readings yet :-$

Sorry Dennis, but in my defence I do try to turn lights and stuff off when they're not in use :-$

[peterstorm1985]

Sue Wrote:

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>

>

> To my eternal shame, I've had mine sitting on a

> shelf since Dennis came, and haven't even checked

> out any readings yet :-$

>

> Sorry Dennis, but in my defence I do try to turn

> lights and stuff off when they're not in use :-$

We got one of these meters and had great fun for the first few days - proving that everything we know uses lots of power really does. The trouble is it doesn't actually make anything use less power so once you're got over the novelty it's a bit redundant, at which point you wonder how much energy it cost to produce and how much landfill will be taken up with all these bits of plastic.

It might be better if they just let you have it for a few days - to realise how much those spotlights are really costing you - and then pass it on to someone else.

[Sue]

peterstorm1985 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> >

> >

> > To my eternal shame, I've had mine sitting on a

> > shelf since Dennis came, and haven't even

> checked

> > out any readings yet :-$

> >

> > Sorry Dennis, but in my defence I do try to

> turn

> > lights and stuff off when they're not in use

> :-$

>

> We got one of these meters and had great fun for

> the first few days - proving that everything we

> know uses lots of power really does. The trouble

> is it doesn't actually make anything use less

> power so once you're got over the novelty it's a

> bit redundant, at which point you wonder how much

> energy it cost to produce and how much landfill

> will be taken up with all these bits of plastic.

> It might be better if they just let you have it

> for a few days - to realise how much those

> spotlights are really costing you - and then pass

> it on to someone else.

xxxxxx

Isn't it supposed to make you realise where you are using power unnecessarily, rather than power you actually do want to use?

[bil]

I on the other hand have become obsessed by mine. So much so that I now turn my kitchen lights on when absolutely necessary e.g. when I am cooking or washing up(4x halogen bulbs) or use the light from the next room to allow me to see! I can do quite a bit in the dark!

[Sue]

:))

[peterstorm1985]

bil Wrote:

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> I on the other hand have become obsessed by mine.

> So much so that I now turn my kitchen lights on

> when absolutely necessary e.g. when I am cooking

> or washing up(4x halogen bulbs) or use the light

> from the next room to allow me to see! I can do

> quite a bit in the dark!

It would be interesting to know if there are any statistics on accidents in the home for those with the meters and those without.

[kristen]

I love my smart meter. I've never exactly been a reckless leaver on of appliances

but it's made much more aware of what I'm using and I'm now hooked in to keeping the numbers low.

Wish I could get something for the gas meter though as that's my biggest expense.

[Sue]

kristen Wrote:

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>>

> Wish I could get something for the gas meter

> though as that's my biggest expense.

xxxxxxx

Gas is probably a bit easier to monitor yourself than electricity, because it's probably just running the cooker (if it's gas), central heating and hot water (unless you have gas fires)?

Thermostatic valves on all your radiators help, plus turning down the central thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, and I've taken to doing all my clothes on a cold water wash unless they're really dirty - seems to work fine.

Also using the smallest possible ring to cook things so you're not wasting gas round the sides of the saucepan, and cooking a lot at once and freezing some (or cooking more than one thing over the same ring, eg put a steamer on top of the saucepan).

Blimey I'm getting very frugal :))

Sorry admin, don't want this thread lounged as the initiative is still live in East Dulwich, so if the above is not relevant please delete :-$