Faulty Energy Monitor Or?.....

Lily-Lu

Hi, I've got a basic energy monitor (Maplin) and have been checking the electricity usage of a few different things.
A few days ago I checked a 30 degree (quickest cycle) wash, then a 40 degree....Naturally, I assumed the 40 degree wash would use more energy.....But, it was less.
So, thinking that I may have writen down the wrong reading for the 30, I decided to do it again. This time it was higher than the previous reading and higher than the 40 degree wash.

Today, I did another 30 degree wash and it was lower than any of the readings

1st 30 degree wash = 0.254kw....3p
2nd 30 degree wash = 0.297kw....4p
3rd 30 degree wash = 0.229kw....3p

40 degree wash = 0.241....3p

So, now I'm wondering if my monitor is faulty, or is there some other explination for the fluctuation?

I'd be interested as to whether anyone else has double checked on their readings, and whether they are consistent with previous readings?

1carminestocky

I really don't believe ANYTHING like this that costs less than a tenner will be the last word in accuracy, tbh. I use both plug in monitor and wireless OWL monitor and view them as an indication of usage, not the absolute true figure. Still proved very useful, though...and helping us use less fuel.

jd87

Does the 30 degree wash take longer?

Charis

Lily-Lu wrote: »

So, now I'm wondering if my monitor is faulty, or is there some other explination for the fluctuation?

The temperature of the water going into your machine is slightly warmer on warm days, so less electricity will be used to heat it. That might explain the fluctuations.
I have noticed lately that I sometimes have to turn the electric shower to what looks like a warmer setting to get it warm enough. Once again it coincides with the outside temperature.

Lily-Lu

jd87 - no, they were all done on the same cycle 'K' which is my quickest wash cycle.

Charis wrote: »

The temperature of the water going into your machine is slightly warmer on warm days, so less electricity will be used to heat it. That might explain the fluctuations.
I have noticed lately that I sometimes have to turn the electric shower to what looks like a warmer setting to get it warm enough. Once again it coincides with the outside temperature.

Thanks Charis. Maybe that's it then. It is a 'cold' fill machine....And today was pleasent and sunny, which was when I got the lowest reading @ 30 degrees.

amcluesent

the weight of the load would change how much power the drum motor needed.

Anyhow at <5p it's not a big cost to run a wash.

whatatwit

You are also relying on the thermostat on your machine heating the water to the correct temp.

derrick

If you are using the figures solely produced by the monitor,( I have one which is probably the same?), it does not give you the exact cost in monetary terms as it only gives full pence, not fractions.

If you know your pence per KWh, then divide that figure by 1000, then times by the watts it says you have used.
eg my price per KWh is 11.2p, taking your second example using my price; - "2nd 30 degree wash = 0.297kw....4p"

11.2 / 1000 x 297 = 3.3264p, but on the monitor it would only show 3p until it had used enough watts to increase to 4p, which in my example and cost per KWh, would be 360 watts.