This month's meter reading

We're taking a meter reading on the first day of the month which I forgot to post up. It's 97394. Now that is very scary and very high. I need to double check these figures because, oh my, that's just massive.

That means an average of 183 units per week for the past month. Which is unheard of!

My goal is under 100 units a week, and I have to confess I haven't been watching things. I used to take daily readings and got so fed up of it. Then I took weekly and recently I've got right out of the habit.

ouch! That really hurts!

I've just checked right now and we've used 73 units since I took that reading, which was three days ago. It's an electric heater we have; I'm sure of it.

Right, that's an extra jumper from now on and no electric heating. AND a daily meter reading.

I've had an extra duvet on the bed and I'm ok with that; but it's when I get dressed in the mornings. The fire has gone down, despite being kept in all night and it's just so cold to get dressed. I need to get over myself and leave that heater off.
I put it on for ten minutes before bed too and in the afternoons when I go up for a rest. Hmmm, now I think about it; I'll put it on if I go upstairs to make a phonecall too.

Ho hum.

There is nothing quite like a shock to warm you up!

I've just had the email from Gloucestershire Carbon Watchers about our challenge for this month.

I quote from the mail:

Our theme for February is using your heating system to best effect. It’s really worth getting to grips with this as about two thirds of the carbon emissions from our homes are due to heating.

And that's it! I assume there will be more information to come, as this in itself isn't exactly helpful.

We run a wood burner, which never gets too hot so there is no need for thermostatic radiator valves. It's unusual for the radiators to get more than hand hot.

We have a thermometer in the living space (kitchen, dining room and conservatory - all open plan) and we try and keep it at 20. It's around 16 when we get up in the mornings and by mid morning is about 20 degrees).

Any more than 21 degrees and we're peeling clothes off which is counter-productive in my mind. It's amazing what you get used too. I bake now whenever I go to my parent's house and I used to think it was cold when I lived there!

Our bedrooms are about 18 degrees.

As I mentioned on a previous post, we're thinking of supplementing the wood burner with an Eco Dan. We've been shocked at the price of wood this year.......

To be honest, I think the best way to use your heating system is to insulate your house. It's better to make sure that every kwh of heat you produce heats your home and not the outside air!

Anyway, I look forward to receiving some more information soon so that I can make a start for this month.