3319kWh in 5 months - is this reasonable?

Mac_Sami

I've just had a bill from nPower that says for the last 5 months I've used 3319kWh of electric.

I'm in a 2 bedroom new build flat, and we've rarely had the heating on. I've checked the meter readings, and they're accurate (in fact, exact) - so I know the usage figure is a true figure.

I have had a problem with the timer on my boiler not working, therefore the boiler has been on 24/7. From what I've read, this would cost quite a bit of money - I've been dealing with the HA for months over this, who admit the fault is with incorrect wiring when the flats were built - however, as the developer's gone bust, they're dragging their heels on this one.

Given that 3319kWh = £500 bill, I've just hit the roof today. I should have really nailed this issue months ago, and I have been on at them weekly to get this fixed, and its simply not happened.

Where do I stand in terms of compensation (assuming this fault has been the reason for the high electricity usage)? They admit there is a fault, which they knew about before, and even if the developer has gone bust, surely the NHBC guarantee kicks in somehow?

Any advice much appreciated.

Magentasue

I think this works out at 20 or so kwh a day over five months. This is high, but isn't way out if you heat your water by electricity and have used the heating occasionally.

I assume by boiler, you mean immersion heater? These have thermostats so it wouldn't be using electricity constantly. Most of your 22kwh has probably gone on other things such as TV, fridge, freezer and other kitchen appliances etc.

Do you have halogen spotlights, plasma TV, dishwasher or tumble drier?

spiro

From other posts on here about all electric flats £1200pa seems typicaly. If you heating is on all the time then it would appeat to indicate your not too badly off as your consumption wont go up in the colder weather.

Mac_Sami

Thanks for your replies.

We've rarely used the heating - despite the cold winter we've had - as the flat seems really well insulated.

We have the usual suspects - washing machine, LCD TV, but no dishwasher or anything else particularly big that would consume a lot of electric. Neither of us are in the flat that often, apart from evenings and sometimes at the weekend - so even things like lights etc. are usually off most of the time.

One passing thought I've had is I have PC that's on 24/7, which won't be helping - but its power consumption is pretty low (around 150 watts, I think).

I appreciate energy costs have gone up - perhaps I haven't accounted for the harsh winter we've had. I'll be sure to do some price comparisons, though.

Ken68

No offence, Mac, but you're in denial.
Most electric is used in the evening and mornings, and when you are not there, no need for a PC on.
Good that you havn't a tumble drier, most flats don't have an outside clothes line.

Mac_Sami

But surely a faulty timer on a water heater won't be helping, as it's on 24/7?

Supreme_2

I live in a newish flat and had a high bill (i have a big long thread here about it... have a search). I was using 18kWh/day which i thought was crazy as i am on my own, and have no heating (12th floor, so no need).

I now monitor my usage and take readings every week. I have changed bulbs, and also the time my immersion heater is on. I am now down to 10.5kWh/day

I picked up a power consumption meter from Maplin and tested everything, so now i know exactly what every electrical device in my flat costs to run and can very easily estimate my weekly usage.

Just for some info so you can look into things a bit, here are some approx power consumption readings for devices in my flat. It should help you work out where you are spending excessively.

- Water heater: 3kWh
- Oven: 0.8kWh, Hob: 1.5kWh
- Fridge: 1kW/day
- PC + TV + HiFi + Laptop: 0.16kWh
- Lights: 0.5kW/day

So if your flat is like mine (quite possible!) then you can quite easily see where the 20kWh/day could be going!

Make sure you don't have halogen bulbs too. I used to have 30, 50w bulbs! Running just 10 of those, for 5hrs a day would cost £11/month

Supreme_2

Mac_Sami wrote: »

But surely a faulty timer on a water heater won't be helping, as it's on 24/7?

It probably wouldn't make much difference. It will have a temp sensor on it and only turn on when the water drops below the set level.

It will only be a problem if you have an old badly insulated heater, or use a vast amount of hot water.

Cardew

Mac_Sami wrote: »

I have had a problem with the timer on my boiler not working, therefore the boiler has been on 24/7. From what I've read, this would cost quite a bit of money -

By boiler, I assume you mean the immersion heater in the Hot water tank?

If so having it on 24/7 will not be the culprit(in fact there isn't a culprit)

A well insulated tank - and in a new build it will be - will probably 'lose' 2kWh in 24 hours; so approx 300kWh in 5 months

Even then that heat isn't lost as it warms the fabric of the house.

If I understand you correctly you have an all electric house - including heating and hot water - and you think 3,319 for 5 months is high??? It is extremely low.

You also need to look at your supplier as £500 for 3319kWh is very high. Depending where you live most internet tariffs are around 10p/kWh for the majority of units, so I would have thought under £400 was easily achievable.

Electrical heating is the most expensive form of heating there is. Even with gas the average household spends £1,300 pa on gas/electricity and all electric would expect to be closer to £2000.

tomstickland

I use 4 units per day daytime.
Abour 3 per night in the summer and 15-25 in the winter.

This is a 1 bed flat, well insulated, all electric.

About £35 per month DD on Econ 7.