General Chat

Sue. That 27C I turned my heating up to was only for a very short time last week when I just couldn't get warm. Back to 21C now. It's 4C outside at 10pm tonight, so like a warm bath compared to last week. Think it is the snow that gives me the frits.

These price promises like EDF offer seem to be a bit like Asda giving you cash back if you prove you could have bought the item cheaper. Think John Lewis have a similar scheme - never knowingly undersold. Like comparison sites, I am suspicious as it takes control out of our hands and who do they price match with?

EDF have to tell you when another supplier is cheaper overall or I assume they will price match because you haave the option to leave your contract.

We had a new combie boiler installed last year and if it's on 20c I am too hot (I am a chilly mortal and have to keep warm because of knackered joints).

We are open plan downstairs and our main bedroom is 22' long x 9 6"' wide so not small.

At 27c the boiler sited in the kitchen well away from the fridge would be heating up the contents faster than the refrigerant could cool it :-(

PP I suggest you select BG, SSE, First Utility and one other small company from my list and go through my 5 steps.

Doesn't take long and I think you will find considerable savings. I would be very surprised if it is not at least £3 a week.

I was loyal to BG for over 40 years. And for last 4 years I have done this pricing exercise every 6 months and selected 6 companies. Then switched if I can get a better deal. At first I used to include BG in my 6 companies but I don't even bother now as they are not that competitive.

Just exactly how much can you save by constantly changing utility providers.

I am with British Gas and have been for my gas & leccie for years and have signed up to their price protect, which seems OK.

As there are only 2 of us in the house and we have NO central heating - we only heat the rooms we use. I cannot see how swapping will help.

Also OH does not feel the cold he is a hardy Scot and a Postman out in all weathers, he only notices he is cold indoors if his toes start to change colour!!!

Have considered putting in a wood-burning stove, but need a chimney and that seems to add 2 or 2.5 grand to the installation cost, even for a stainless steel external one.

Suggesting you don't use comparison sites to get best gas/elec quote and note that Go Compare advertises on Genes :-D :-D

Someone off thread has asked me about E.On for over 60's. I have been on that tariff myself 3 years ago when I left British Gas (who I had been loyal to for over 40 years for gas and many years for dual fuel).

Haven't been able to speak to E.On today as got a message that phones not manned (presumably snow in Nottingham?). But I do know their two chepaest tariffs are Old Age and on line paperless. On line paperless is about £10 a year cheaper than Old Age, so that is a very good deal if you can use the extras that come with it.

E.On's most expensive one is an Eco friendly tariff. Those tariffs seem to be quite a bit more expensive, which seems all wrong to me. Bit like Fair Trade groceries - shame you have to spend more.

mine does AnnC,,and give it a 30 blast during the winter to see if any faults occur,,,,,we had the rads all cleaned out during the summer and its made such a difference once all the gunge was washed out,,,it should last for about 5 years before the stuff needs replacing again,

your heating wont be a spot hot if the water pressure is down anyway.

mine goes up to 30

Thermostats all read different,,,

My old one set at 22/3 was nic and toastie,,,the new one set at 22/3 isnt so hot,,,I have to set reading 25/7 to achive the same warmth.....my daughters set at 20/22 is like a hot house.
the difference is-central heating from a combi boiler the dial needs to be set higher than CH from a back boiler heating system.

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D Island!!!!

We keep our thermostat around 20 if it is really cold, 18/19 when it is not.

Care homes have the heating higher because the elderly residents are not able to move about as much to generate warmth.

You've said you're 66 and working John. May I suggest you spend less time sitting and shake your ass?
27c? Are you heating the street?

Joan. It just seems so wrong that we are expected to be cold when we are OAPs. Nobody realised gas & elec were going to be such major bills 10 years ago.

If we can't pay our bills and finish up in a care home, we will be 27C there. Have you ever been in one. Residents are often on slow roast.

Hope it is not too bad for you. But I am cross that any of us old ones have to even think about whether we can eat or heat. :-(

Our thermostat is never higher than 17c, & the heating doesn't go on until tea time (4-30pm) it goes off again at around 10-30pm, we just couldn't afford to have it any higher or switched on for longer, it would cost us far too much for the oil alone.
We have a coal fire in the L room but can no longer use it as we are unable to get down to floor level to clean it out each day, so we spend a longer time in our bed in the mornings & wear extra clothing & wrap our legs with a blanket when sitting during the day.
We are pensioners,hubby is 70 with a health issue but we are not in a position financially to change our heating situation.

Have to say though that we would be Mafted if we were sitting with the heating on at 27c!!!!!

Joan.

Joan. Till I feel warm again (hopefully tomorow afternoon - Saturday). In July, I have these hot flushes that oldies get and sit in chest freezer to get cold. ;-)

Did all my wrapping up and sticking woolly snakes under doors when I was young. Now I deserve to be hot - at least in my office. Rest of house is more equable.

Didn't want the thread to be whether we were good or bad. Just how to get best valuie fuel for your lifestyle. 84 year old in Cardiff last night on Wales Today had central heating down to 17C and was wearing 3 layers of clothing. Another used to turn her heating off at 6pm in winter - but now got a grant and installed a wood burning stove. :-)

JLC............27c !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how long for??

Joan.

AnnC The two companies I found easiest to speak to this morning were Utility Warehouse (your supplier) and First Utility (my supplier).

These smaller companies have less to hide, it seems. Have always found E.On to be about the best of Big Six although SSE (Swalec we call them) are good in S Wales.

But what a minefield of misinformation to wade through. Just hope my 5 steps are helpful to someone else and they can follow my logic. :-)

had the cavity walls done, loft insulated, double glazing all round apart from three windows and I can't afford to have those done now - house is freezing all the time even with the heating on, so today I decided not to use the central heating and just use the gas fires - seems to be fine

I'm with Utility Warehouse for all my utilities - I find them excellent and you talk to someone in the UK - they have won awards for their bill presentation - so easy to read

I have a cash back credit card with them and if I spend in any number of top stores - Boots, Debenhams, River Island and stacks more, I get money back off my fuel bills

you can give your readings on line 24/7

Snowing here, Joy. Not taking your advice, though accept it is good. Just turned knob up a notch to about 27C. And will keep doing that till I am warm without a cat or snuggy anything :-D