What does your house cost in fuel?

artha

I'm never sure whether my bills are high/low compared to other people. I realise that there are many factors contributing to energy consumption but I wondered if it was worthwhile posting individual actuals from which people can guage there own usage as being efficient?

National average fuel bills quoted never seem to be relevant to my mind for making comparisons.

I live in an extended brick built semi (1960's), full cavity insulation, full double glazing, 4-6" loft insulation (but masses of stuff in the loft space), thermostatic radiator valves in all rooms and overall thermostat in the hall,two people at work 5 days /week, gas heating, evrything else electric. Power supplier EON. My fuel bills are running at £1600/year which I think are high (way above national average of £1000)) but I don,t think we are extravagant or wastefull.

Part of my reason for thinking about this is that my daughter (alone) has just moved ino a 3 bedroomed link house and been persuaded on the doorstep to switch to n Power who said that £50/month is more that adequate for a sinble person in this type of house. I think(based on my own experience) that this is way too low.

any comments?

Chester_Draws

Sounds to me that you must be paying for the adjoining semi as well !!

4 bed det. no cavity insulation, but others similar.
Boiler 2 years old.

£840 per year.

Magentasue

I think it's more meaningful to compare annual kwh usage - depends on tarriff how much it will cost. You're paying about what we do (six of us in 3 bed house) and I think we are wasteful as a family. Not as bad as others, maybe but could do much better. There is often someone in the house during the day (two at school/coll, two of working p/t, one 9-5, another shifts) and we have lots of gadgetry/laudry/dishwashing etc.

deker

Just done G&E totals this morning, 1930's 4bed semi, 2 people (me in all day), total past year ~£850 (£550 gas, rest electric) and an on-line comparison today reckons I could save ~£300 by switching. Boiler must be 15..20 yrs old, cooker is electric, I have no idea if we have cavity insulation and the attic is fair to poor.

mech_2

There are so many variables... Age of boiler? Any open chimneys sucking warm air out of the house? How about the thermostat setting? Setting themostats to 24 degrees C may cost 50% more than at 18 degrees C. Does the double glazing extend to uPVC doors? If not, are any wooden doors draughtproofed? Is there a front and/or back porch? How well lagged is the hot water cylinder, or is it a combi boiler? Geographical location? How many south facing windows? Are the floors downstairs solid or are they suspended timber? Any damp problems? Any over-zealous extractor fans?

It's difficult to make comparisons without finding an identical property to compare to. I live in a 3-bedroom 30s semi and I'm at home all day. I spent £410 (both gas and electricity) in the past 12 months (I could knock an additional £75 cashback off that figure from switching supplier), yet I have only partial cavity wall insulation and no thermostatic radiator valves (hope to have these things sorted out by the winter if I can get around to it). But that's misleading because I'm away from home about a third of the time for protracted periods and several other things on the list above are in my favour too, so the comparison is a bit pointless really.

I'm no help at all am I?

[Deleted User]

It does depend on how your daughter uses energy artha. £50 pm seems ok assuming she isn`t that careful but isn`t wildly extravagent either

space_rider

artha wrote: »

I'm never sure whether my bills are high/low compared to other people. I realise that there are many factors contributing to energy consumption but I wondered if it was worthwhile posting individual actuals from which people can guage there own usage as being efficient?

National average fuel bills quoted never seem to be relevant to my mind for making comparisons.

I live in an extended brick built semi (1960's), full cavity insulation, full double glazing, 4-6" loft insulation (but masses of stuff in the loft space), thermostatic radiator valves in all rooms and overall thermostat in the hall,two people at work 5 days /week, gas heating, evrything else electric. Power supplier EON. My fuel bills are running at £1600/year which I think are high (way above national average of £1000)) but I don,t think we are extravagant or wastefull.

Part of my reason for thinking about this is that my daughter (alone) has just moved ino a 3 bedroomed link house and been persuaded on the doorstep to switch to n Power who said that £50/month is more that adequate for a sinble person in this type of house. I think(based on my own experience) that this is way too low.

any comments?

Everyone uses energy differently. I have an almost 3 year old semi with 3 children and myself. Judging by the units used for electricity my children aren`t that wasteful but I know that I am when it comes to having the heating on over the winter. I don`t think I would be comfortable at 18 degrees but will give it a try. Your cost is almost double the amount I use but my house will be more energy efficient because of its age. Also all my appliances are A rated too.

I think £50 will be too low but the salesman would say a low amount to get your daughter to join. She will need to make sure she isn`t using much over that otherwise she will get into debt.