Keeping in and out of hot water

THE nights are drawing in fast, noticeable almost by the hour. Have you got one eye on your heating bills?

I haven’t. I detest the way all the major fuel companies tell you what you should expect to be paying and, even when you are in credit, they raise your next year’s expected use.

I wised up to this some time ago and after a tussle with one company who sent me a revised estimate, one also dependent on my having a meter installed which I am dead against, and despite being several pounds in reserve, hounded me with phone calls to accept their offer and when I resisted spitefully put me on their highest rate. That’s when I brought in Ofgem who rapped their knuckles to my benefit. I live alone and think it silly to heat rooms that are no longer in regular use, like my dining room, so shut its heating off and also in my unused bedrooms. It’s also set to low in the hallway, kitchen and bathroom but kept full on in my lounge.

I confess I am a stickler for closing doors and I also have an additional electric fire which I am not slow to use when needed.

I am snug as the proverbial bug in the rug and visitors invariably comment how warm my home is.

Now, on a monthly direct debit of £65, I build up sufficient credit to take back £250 every April which pays for my car insurance and still usually leaves the best part of £200 to start the next season off. I see fuel bills are due to rise again shortly, so I have raised my direct debit to £75.

I am also really prudent with water and with several barrels collecting bath and washing machine water for garden use, with an enviable bill of just over £6 a month. Oh, and long before the current Japanese inspired trend, I have only used cold water in my washing machine.

High bills? Not me.