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Your fuel: how you are beating costs Your fuel: How you are beating costs
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Rising fuel prices are having an impact on family budgets. Households across the UK are making cutbacks.Rising fuel prices are having an impact on family budgets. Households across the UK are making cutbacks.
BBC News readers have been telling us how they are changing their energy consumption habits to make ends meet.BBC News readers have been telling us how they are changing their energy consumption habits to make ends meet.
VERNON SMITH, WHITBY, NORTH YORKSHIREVERNON SMITH, WHITBY, NORTH YORKSHIRE
The Smith family with their steam bus.The Smith family with their steam bus.
We operate Elizabeth, the world's only daily Steam Bus in beautiful Whitby, North Yorkshire.We operate Elizabeth, the world's only daily Steam Bus in beautiful Whitby, North Yorkshire.
Although she is hugely popular, we are being threatened by ever rising fuel costs.Although she is hugely popular, we are being threatened by ever rising fuel costs.
Last year, coal cost £146 per ton and has risen to £230 per ton for the most recent purchase. We have to shop around to get the best price and in the last few months, we have used coal from Poland, Russia and Colombia. We have to analyse our buys, it's a complicated recipe.Last year, coal cost £146 per ton and has risen to £230 per ton for the most recent purchase. We have to shop around to get the best price and in the last few months, we have used coal from Poland, Russia and Colombia. We have to analyse our buys, it's a complicated recipe.
We are warned that this will escalate further before winter, as prices which should be lower during the summertime are already steep.We are warned that this will escalate further before winter, as prices which should be lower during the summertime are already steep.
As things are, burning 90 tons per year, our costs have risen by over £7,500 and we cannot pass this on as we compete with other attractions.As things are, burning 90 tons per year, our costs have risen by over £7,500 and we cannot pass this on as we compete with other attractions.
NEIL LANGLER-WILKINSON, BEDFORD, BEDFORDSHIRENEIL LANGLER-WILKINSON, BEDFORD, BEDFORDSHIRE
Neil found out about hypermiling on the internet.Neil found out about hypermiling on the internet.
I am on a relatively low wage, and I have to drive 40 miles to work each day. As the cost of fuel started to increase, I went to the internet to look at what individuals were doing to cope with the rises. I came across "hypermiling", which is gaining momentum in America, and tried to copy it here in the UK.I am on a relatively low wage, and I have to drive 40 miles to work each day. As the cost of fuel started to increase, I went to the internet to look at what individuals were doing to cope with the rises. I came across "hypermiling", which is gaining momentum in America, and tried to copy it here in the UK.
With hypermiling, I get 60mpg out of a car in which I used to do 25mpg. Yes, my journey to work takes slightly longer but over a week I save more money than I could earn if I worked the equivalent overtime. For me, my journey takes an extra ten minutes, but I save £2 pounds in fuel. That works out at £12 an hour net.With hypermiling, I get 60mpg out of a car in which I used to do 25mpg. Yes, my journey to work takes slightly longer but over a week I save more money than I could earn if I worked the equivalent overtime. For me, my journey takes an extra ten minutes, but I save £2 pounds in fuel. That works out at £12 an hour net.
Hypermiling is a set of methods to get more mileage out of your car. One part of it is preparing your car, like removing any roof racks, spoilers, flags and even your car aerial, because it increases air resistance. Some people go to the extremes of taking the seats out of the car, but be careful to contact your insurance company to see if they will mind if you change your car.Hypermiling is a set of methods to get more mileage out of your car. One part of it is preparing your car, like removing any roof racks, spoilers, flags and even your car aerial, because it increases air resistance. Some people go to the extremes of taking the seats out of the car, but be careful to contact your insurance company to see if they will mind if you change your car.
Don't fill up your tank, because a full tank weighs around 80kg, which is almost the same as having another passenger. You can also save by parking your car in such a way that you don't have to do a three-point manoeuvre when you go out in the mornings when your car is cold and thirsty.Don't fill up your tank, because a full tank weighs around 80kg, which is almost the same as having another passenger. You can also save by parking your car in such a way that you don't have to do a three-point manoeuvre when you go out in the mornings when your car is cold and thirsty.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. People are being forced to take measures like this.Desperate times call for desperate measures. People are being forced to take measures like this.
JEAN BRUCE, APPLETON, CHESHIREJEAN BRUCE, APPLETON, CHESHIRE
Jean Bruce decided to cycle because of the environment and fuel costs.Jean Bruce decided to cycle because of the environment and fuel costs.
As a young OAP, I have resumed cycling after not having ridden a bike for 25 years and I cycle to and from my part-time job, which is two miles away.As a young OAP, I have resumed cycling after not having ridden a bike for 25 years and I cycle to and from my part-time job, which is two miles away.
It was hard at first. I was very wobbly and had to practice a lot. But I decided to do it for the environment and because of rising fuel costs.It was hard at first. I was very wobbly and had to practice a lot. But I decided to do it for the environment and because of rising fuel costs.
We are also taking more buses when we go to our allotment, which is four miles away. But that is difficult when we have to carry heavy stuff because we have to walk for a mile and then take two buses.We are also taking more buses when we go to our allotment, which is four miles away. But that is difficult when we have to carry heavy stuff because we have to walk for a mile and then take two buses.
We use the car less and go for more outings by bus to our local countryside (and walk 10 miles or so home) despite only having an hourly bus service to our village, last bus at 6.15pm. But this means that we now go to the countryside less often, as we used to go once a week and now go once a month.We use the car less and go for more outings by bus to our local countryside (and walk 10 miles or so home) despite only having an hourly bus service to our village, last bus at 6.15pm. But this means that we now go to the countryside less often, as we used to go once a week and now go once a month.
On long journeys we drive at around 60mph on motorways - travelling 70 miles at 60mph only takes 10 minutes longer than at 70mph.On long journeys we drive at around 60mph on motorways - travelling 70 miles at 60mph only takes 10 minutes longer than at 70mph.
JEAN KERR, MILLPORT, ISLE OF CUMBRAE, SCOTLANDJEAN KERR, MILLPORT, ISLE OF CUMBRAE, SCOTLAND
We have to spend an extra £10 on the car and driver fare to get to the mainland to fill the tank. Jean Kerr Send us your commentsWe have to spend an extra £10 on the car and driver fare to get to the mainland to fill the tank. Jean Kerr Send us your comments
On the Isle of Cumbrae we have no chance to "beat the rise in fuel cost" as we have no petrol or diesel on the island since the garage closed the pumps almost three years ago.On the Isle of Cumbrae we have no chance to "beat the rise in fuel cost" as we have no petrol or diesel on the island since the garage closed the pumps almost three years ago.
We have to spend an extra £10 car and driver fare to get to the mainland to fill the tank.We have to spend an extra £10 car and driver fare to get to the mainland to fill the tank.
Once a month, we buy petrol for the elderly people who will only drive around the island and can't afford the transport cost.Once a month, we buy petrol for the elderly people who will only drive around the island and can't afford the transport cost.
With increasing fuel costs, it is now not only a problem of access to petrol or diesel, but of cost. The same is happening with the cost of food, as transport is very expensive.With increasing fuel costs, it is now not only a problem of access to petrol or diesel, but of cost. The same is happening with the cost of food, as transport is very expensive.
HAZEL CORAM, DEVIZES, WILTSHIREHAZEL CORAM, DEVIZES, WILTSHIRE
Hazel is now line drying her clothes.
We have bought a small gadget for measuring electric use. It's brilliant, it's a little box on the wall and it really makes you think.We have bought a small gadget for measuring electric use. It's brilliant, it's a little box on the wall and it really makes you think.
I had put some washing in the tumble drier and the numbers on it frightened me witless. It is also seriously scary to see it whiz up when grill on.I had put some washing in the tumble drier and the numbers on it frightened me witless. It is also seriously scary to see it whiz up when grill on.
We don't fill the kettle for just two cups of tea or leave anything on standby but our bill is still high. Hazel Coram
Since then, I put the washing out to dry for the first time for ages. Much cheaper, but the bird poo on white shirts means rewashing.Since then, I put the washing out to dry for the first time for ages. Much cheaper, but the bird poo on white shirts means rewashing.
We don't fill the kettle for just two cups of tea and we don't leave anything on standby, but our electric bill is still high.We don't fill the kettle for just two cups of tea and we don't leave anything on standby, but our electric bill is still high.
We don't have gas or heating oil, as I refused to use it years ago, thank godness. I will make much better use of the Rayburn this year for cooking as well as heating. Coal has also gone up "in line" with other fuel!We don't have gas or heating oil, as I refused to use it years ago, thank godness. I will make much better use of the Rayburn this year for cooking as well as heating. Coal has also gone up "in line" with other fuel!
We have just rejigged the coal shed to take three tons Stovesse and one ton house coal which will last the year.We have just rejigged the coal shed to take three tons Stovesse and one ton house coal which will last the year.
Making changes is about constantly thinking about your consumption. I look at the electric measurer every time I come into the kitchen. It is making a real difference.Making changes is about constantly thinking about your consumption. I look at the electric measurer every time I come into the kitchen. It is making a real difference.