Electricity useage really high?

Magentasue

I really don't know how much difference it could make. Maybe one of these would help:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223573

teachergirl

Magentasue you are a star!:T I will get one of these and I will change from economy 7.(this will probably have to wait till I leave Eon and I need to get my high usage checked first.) Hopefully this thread will be enough to make the hubby agree to a new fridge as well. I am very new to these forums and I am loving them.There are some really nice people out there.

Magentasue

The plug in monitors are often available for about £7 in Aldi and Lidl. Might be worth a phone call if you have one nearby. Also, I'm sure I read some libraries or CAB offices had them but can't remember the details. It might not be worth buying a new fridge (sorry!) but at least you could work out how much the fridge, fish tank etc uses over a day or two.

You don't have an immersion heater, do you?

teachergirl

Yes we do..but I only discovered this when we lost our hot water and heating for 9 days(Thanks EON but thats another story) It isn't on though. Still might have to have the new fridge.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi teachergirl

From what you have said your electricity usage does seem on the high side.

There is some really good advice already posted on here. I would just add we have a consumption team who will be happy to go through your usage/appliances with you to see if there is anything that can be done.

This team also arrange for check meters to be fitted if necessary. As 1oneandonly says, there is a charge for this. However, this is refundable if the meter turns out to be faulty.

Why not give them a call on 0845 301 4922 to see if they can help.

Our website also contains useful tips on saving energy. The interactive house may be of particular interest. :cool:

Hope this helps.

Malc

teachergirl

Dear Malc,
Thank you for your advice . Worryingly I have looked at the interactive house and aside from the stuff behind the radiators and sharing the baths!!! we already do all of this. Last night we used 7.1KW again. Another thought is we have underfloor heating in two very small bathrooms. These are on a thermostat and also on a timer but tonight I will turn them off completely and see if it makes a difference. As far as I can see last night we used the dishwasher A++ rating and on a half hour quick wash and the washing machine. Possibly the fish pump(though this was not on the night before) and the underfloor heating would have come on at about 5.00am. I will try and buy an energy monitor as advised by Magentasue before I get a check on my meter...are you allowed to tell me how much that costs?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi teachergirl

Sounds like you are doing quite a lot already to cut down.

Must admit, I don't know much about underfloor heating. I have heard this can be quite costly to run but I suppose it depends on the type of system you have.

I would be interested to know what difference leaving the underfloor heating off makes. Please keep me posted.

Our Energy Efficiency team are better placed than me to advise on this. Might be an idea to give then a call on 0500 201 000 for more accurate advice.

At the same time, ask them for a copy of our 100 top tips to save energy. A lot of customers have found this useful in making savings.

Check meters cost £93 including VAT. This is payable in advance but will be refunded if the meter is faulty.

Malc

markowen58

Sounds like the underfloor heating is to blame. try to picture them as a radiator, then compare them in size to the ones on the wall... all of a sudden you realise you have one massive radiator and an electric one from the sounds of it as well...

Appliances although they can add up to a large bill, first things to always consider are things with a heating element (heaters, tumble dryers, dishwashers, etc.) then things with a pump (pond, fish tank, fridge, freezer, gas central heating) both heating and pumps (including those in appliances remember) are usually the main culprit for large bills, then the remaining appliances/gadgets.

Chargers, TV's, Sky/Virgin, PC's all add up and the per plug energy monitor from Maplin and other suppliers is a good idea to check these, but investing in energy efficient heating and pumps and insulation to reduce their usage although less exciting than purchasing a new telly should save you more...

If only loft insulation were as sleek and shiny as a new telly...

Also you should be able to switch to a single rate tariff with E.ON before you leave although there is a cut off point between it being worthwhile and not and it varies dependent on usage, a good call centre agent should be able to take the time to find out for you.

teachergirl

The past 24hours is virtually identical to the day before.20 Kw in the day and 7.1Kw over night. I have turned off the underfloor heating system,though as I said earlier this is not on permanantly and I will see what affect this has.Thanks for all your help everyone.

teachergirl

Firstlly a confession.I did not realise that I had two seperate circuits for the underfloor heating so only one was turned off. We still managed to use 6.4 kw of electricity over night. Apart from the fact that I only managed half a washing machine cycle in the cheap electricity everything else was the same. I am wondering if it is my washing machine,although as I said to my hubby it can't be just that as I don't even do a wash a day. Tonight I will use just the dishwasher overnight and see what happens.