Low Electricity Usage - How?

TITEASCRAMP

Just had a look 255w for mine. Plus we have a 600w amp

gazza975526570

Im really into lowering energy use at the minute and very interested in this however the problem with a poll such as this is that it doesnt take into account the size of one's family or of the amount of people living in said property.

I did sign up with imeasure a couple of weeks ago and appear to be doing favourably against similar sized properties. I vary from 8-15 per day.

Edit - it would be interesting to see the responses on a non money saving site

lobster123

I average 16-18 units per day. Only 2 of us in the house and both out from 8am until around 6pm. Both of us use a computer and I do a washing approx. every 2nd day (don't use the tumble dryer). I always switch lights out etc. and turn appliances off.

I used 18 units today.....no washing and the hob was on for approx 20 minutes. Only used the telly for say 6 hours, couple of computers on the go for maybe 3 hours......I think this is way too much. What do others think?

I posted on another thread that I had 2 Kilmarnock fuses in my cupboard (connected to my neighbour directly next door) and smell something fishy

Magentasue

lobster123 wrote: »

I average 16-18 units per day.
I used 18 units today.....no washing and the hob was on for approx 20 minutes. Only used the telly for say 6 hours, couple of computers on the go for maybe 3 hours......I think this is way too much. What do others think?

I posted on another thread that I had 2 Kilmarnock fuses in my cupboard (connected to my neighbour directly next door) and smell something fishy

I think it's way too much for what you describe. Unless you have electric heating.

gazza975526570

lobester and something fishy?!?

lobster123

Magentasue wrote: »

I think it's way too much for what you describe. Unless you have electric heating.

No electric heating. Is it possible that my fridge/freezer, which is a few years old now, could be running up the cost? I'm at a loss as to why I'm using so many units.

In 2002, my supply with my neighbour was off one fuse. Since then, it has been upgraded with a twin-fused cablehead. On reflection, I think my useage has increased by around 6-8 units per day, but since I no longer have any old bills, I can't be sure.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Magentasue

My non-scientific-non-gadget way was to read the meter every day and work out our average. Got me nowhere. Nobody would accept it was what they were doing that was responsible.

Step 1 was a plug in monitor. That brought us down from about 25 a day to 18 (winter). Main things were econ prog on d/washer, washing at 30deg, cut down on oven use. Down to about 15 a day in the summer.

Step 2 was an energy monitor. Down to about 12 or 13 in the summer, averaging about 14 now. Main things changed energy saving bulbs, unplugging at wall.

Bit different to you - there are six of us with a lot of gadgets (TVs, laptops, xbox, dozens of things charging). According to our energy monitor we use about 100watts an hour just running fridge, freezer, phone. Goes up to about 300w an hour when we put laptops, radio etc on. About 600w when kids plug in. Evenings are about 700w now with lights on longer. The energy monitor would be useful for you to see how much your house uses with just fridge/freezer. But you could do that with meter reading if you do it for long enough and several times to average.

amtrakuk

TITEASCRAMP wrote: »

I read previous thread were people have reported to be averaging around 5-6 units of leccy a day.
Try as a may I cannot get mine this low. I'm constantly making sure we have everything turned off at the wall. But now I dont know what more I can do.
The lowest Iv had it is 7 thats a day with no washing.
Normally we average 9 units.
My house is a 3 bed semi: This is what Iv done and what we have:
2 adults 1 child
Everything turned off a wall
Energy light bulbs
Old fridge freezer
AAA rated washing machine
Plasma Tv, Amp, 6 speakers
Gas shower
No dishwasher
No tumble dryer
Gas hob and Oven
New condensing Combi boilersystem.
No outside lights
No alarm

If you can see anything were maybe I could save or what Im doing wrong please tell me. Also the people who are using less, whats your secret?

i don't know how much it will save, but Aerial now do a washing gel that can wash at 15 degrees (a cold wash). I have bought some yesterday and yet to see the results.

I believe a typical 40 degree wash uses about 2 units of electric, Im not sure how much of that 2 units is electric for heating the water but I think if you do alot of washing you might save a few £ but doing cold washes.

Perhaps updating your old freezer to an A rated one might help. I was surprised when the freezer clicks on to cool down its on for about 15-20 mins. Thought depending on the economics it might only be worth changing if your old one is broken as you can use alot of electric for the cost of a A rated freezer!

Magentasue

amtrakuk wrote: »

i don't know how much it will save, but Aerial now do a washing gel that can wash at 15 degrees (a cold wash). I have bought some yesterday and yet to see the results.

I believe a typical 40 degree wash uses about 2 units of electric, Im not sure how much of that 2 units is electric for heating the water but I think if you do alot of washing you might save a few £ but doing cold washes.

Using my 40deg quick wash uses about half a kwh whereas a normal 30 deg wash uses a third of a kwh. A boil wash uses amost two kwh.

I use whatever washing powder is on offer mixed half and half with soda crystals and some Vanish stirred in. I keep this in a big plastic tub and it works out at about 8p a wash - the washing products you use are the biggest chunk of the cost of a machine load. You invariably pay more for sachets, tablets, capsules etc unless it is a heavily discounted product.

Lucylocket01

Our usage is about 7kwh a day. I have bought some more energy bulbs today to place the candle bulbs in the lounge ceiling light. They are so big and ugly, all this just to save a little money. I wish someone would design an energy bulb that wasnt so big.:rolleyes: