@editor

Would it be possible to run the pump for 1 hour then switch it off for 1 hour, or alternatively run it during daylight hours when your solar PV is generating and switch it off overnight.

This is another example of where a battery storage system could be used to run the pump on free solar or lower price overnight electricity. You can get battery storage systems designed for use with caravans or RV's that are considerably cheaper than a full blown battery storage system.

If you have sufficient water flow from your stream, a water powered generator may be able to supply most of the required power.

@derek-m, I think the on-off approach would hinder the performance of the tank. 

We have a stream, but it’s run dry this summer, and I’m hoping the pond can refill this winter too. The stream dribbles though.

I’m surprised by the lack of wind solutions that aren’t great big bloody turbines. At the end of the day, something that could produce 300-400 watts of power with reasonable wind speeds would be of huge assistance to most homes.

You’re right about the RV batteries. I actually saw a useful setup with one solar panel connected to a battery. I might look into it this autumn as a project.

Tonight’s dinner sparked another thought in cost savings. There’ll be no more long slow cookers in the electric oven until tariffs drop. We make a delicious Mediterranean chicken dish that’s slow cooked for 3-4 hours. That’ll be too expensive going forward.

@editor, no need to give up the dish; just use a slow cooker instead. Much more cost-effective.

My 2cents.

Dump standard tumble dryer get a heat pump tumble dryer,

Use washing machine on no more than 40 minute wash low temp where appropriate.

Do not hav a secondary freezer to store food, you will be shocked at energy usage.

South facing windows,  fit black out blinds that are coloured black on the outside they will heat up like a radiator.

South facing, I put black bin bags over chairs in my dinning room they inflate like balloons and store heat and help heat the place, more black surfaces the better.

Stone floors or hard to insulate areas put a rug down, if its really cold get insulated foil under it.

You can also heat the person not the home, in certain areas it may be a good idea to use infrared panels, like sitting in the sun, they dont heat the air just what its pointed at.

Not tried it yet but im considering a vacuum kettle, allegedly they dont cool down as fast,

Use an Airfryer instead of an oven, I cook most things in it, pretty amazing 

Posted by: @waylander

...

Do not hav a secondary freezer to store food, you will be shocked at energy usage.

...

Given two very well-worn cost-saving techniques are to use cheap ingredients (particularly cheap cuts of meat) cooked long and slow to extract maximum flavour and cooking in bulk on the premise that if you've got to have an oven on then fill it full to make best use, how would you recommend people storing their extra portions of stew/casserole/hotpot etc. without a freezer? For anyone growing their own vegetables, how are they supposed to keep some for the winter without a freezer? For anyone sorting through the supermarket bargains in the frozen foods section, where do they put what they bought until they need to use it (bear in mind there are quite a few cheap foods only available frozen)?

It seems to me that a freezer is something to get rid of if you don't make good use of it, but for many others it's an important tool in allowing economies to be made elsewhere, and I'm not sure it makes sense in the long run unless you're only a few minutes' walk from shops that allow you to buy frequently enough to only need a fridge.

On the other hand, your point about heating the person rather than the home is well made. Irrespective of the means, heating unused spaces that don't care what temperature they are is a great way to waste money.

Was only saying that having an extra freezer it can cost more than it saves, I had a second one in my garage basically storing  not much other than very old Pizzas and bits of chicken. My main freezer still copes with a family of 5.

After getting solar panels I  made lots of changes to best utilise power available also getting a power meter that showed what individual items used helps fine tune.  Its not about doing without just trying to do a little better with what we have. And your idea of freezing food is another good tip,  my wife does that with mince to re use later. 

@waylander, I misunderstood; sorry. Yes, I can see the sense in getting rid of a second freezer, especially if it’s not being fully utilised.

My rather left field things we do. Just for some variety of all the good ideas already posted. 

We switched to going on holiday in winter quite a bit, of course we still have the cost of the holidays, but we have no plans to stop going away. Saves on heating in our rather inefficient house

In our cul de sac, 6 houses regularly get together for a meal, we rotate who cooks and who's house it is.

We love free activities in the evening, many places aren't worried if you spend a little or nothing. Lots of free music and bingo in pubs and social clubs in walking distance. Great for winter if you like that sort of thing

@waylander, which air fryer do you have? We’ve been interested in getting one.

@editor I got a voucher for Argos, its a Tower model T17061   1.4kw.

It was a pain to put the drawer in but once you know to tilt it up as you push in its perfect,

Also there are two black knobs with a small raised part that lines up with heat setting and timer,

Basically invisible, I put a bit of daughters nail varnish on the raised parts.

Great for cooking great for cleaning, my wifes only complaint is either one with multiple compartments or a larger capacity

@waylander, looks interesting. Have you made chips/fries yet?