Bills

The meter man came today. A bill will surely follow.

We are in credit in our account - to the tune of a few hundred pounds. But they asked me to leave it 'on account' against winter. However now that we have got a new boiler, on an efficient timer, and I am using the remoska, microwave and little electric oven more and more then I wonder whether there will be a surplus I can pick up in April and ask for the massive direct debit to drop. I have even dropped to a lower tariff, which according to uswitch was the best for us. With the price rises, however, I will be lucky if we are a penny in front.

I bitterly regret the lack of stove. I shall be grumbling about that in my grave. As I cannot have the stove, however, I shall grit my teeth and get on with it.

The 'new' tumble dryer may help, as though it uses electricity it also vents warm air - next to a dehumidifier, so it should be just warm and not damp air circulating around. Door curtains, draft excluders and common sense will help. Lighting one or two candles can make a difference as well. I am hoping that the halogen heater will also pick up the slack rather than the twenty year old gas fire. And I shall be being meticulous about unplugging things.

It has made me think about all the electrics that go on in this house. Darling father's room has sky, a tv, a teasmaid, clock radios, trouser press, and a small fridge. I run another fridge and a separate freezer, a washer dryer (unplugged when it isn't on), microwave, remoska, kettle, iron, electric oven, computer, tv (always switched off when not in use), toaster and there are a myriad of gadgets around. There is the electric keyboard, lamps, and dehumidifier. In little bear's room I have left the monitor on, and OH's room has a full complement of clocks, lamps, laptop, etc.

So far I have resisted putting in plug in air fresheners, and I don't want to start.

I am glad I have the computer, the ease of an electric iron, the convenience of a microwave and the absolute bliss of tv to knit to. But I am looking at the cost and it is really adding up. Time for another 'unplug it' campaign.