Electricity useage really high?

worried_jim

could your neighbours be using your supply? Nasty I know but it does happen.

~~Diane~~

Thanks for this thread, I never knew Economy 7 worked out so expensive if you didn't use it. I'll be phoning my Electric Company tomorrow and asking for it to be changed. I've no storage heaters and don't use the washer or dryer at night.

teachergirl

Dear worried Jim...really don't think so .I have looked to see if there is any dodgy looking wires but there isn't and both of my neighbours are really quite wealthy compared to us...hum maybe thats why

Ninat_2

Hi All,
This is my first post and am new to site. We have just recieved our utility bill and its really really high. Our average daily consumtion is 32.05 KWH. Am I powering up the whole street??? I didn't realise it was so high untill I looked at this thread!!
Average household, 4 kids, 4 bedrooms, washing machine used daily, tumble dryer used daily, dishwasher at night, 2 TV's (1 large), PC, 2 fridges, 1 freezer, kids leaving lights on all day!!! I am at home during the day, but don't have TV on, PC may be on but not always. No fish tanks or ponds, Gas CH with a combi boiler. Power shower is used 5 times a day.

My electric bill is higher than my gas, has been for the about 2 years, it was always lower. converted the loft about 2 years ago but surley that wouldn't have affected the electric by this much?!
We did have an electric heater that the kids were leaving on in the loft all day and the bill was £900!!! But we don't use that any more. Now our provider wants us to pay £390 per month:eek: Some of this is to pay of the arrears but the usage is sooooooo high. HELP!!!!

Magentasue

Ninat: 32kwh a day is high but not impossible. When I used my tumble drier every day, ran dishwasher and washing machine at least once a day and didn't have a grip on things, we could easily use 26kwh in a day.

Now, we average 13-15kwh a day. Still six of us at home but we have cut back. I use an airer instead of the tumble drier, all energy saving bulbs, cheapest programmes on the washing machine and dishwasher, no electric shower, cook by gas, energy efficient fridge, freezer, TVs - it all helps.

It depends how much you want to change and what you want to spend your money on. When our electricity bill jumped and my full time contract ended, I decided enough was enough.

Ninat_2

Hi Magentasue,

Thanks for the reply. I am sick of paying such high bills. Have energy efficent washing machine, dishwasher etc. I use lower temps and economy washes. Am in the process of changing bulbs. I don't tumble dry everything although I will admit that is my biggest downfall, 3 high energy boys create lots of washing!!! 1 of the fridges is very old and could probably do with replacing, the other fridge and freezer are in the conservatory which gets pretty hot and they must work overtime, but there isn't anywhere alse for them to live, our kitchen is tiny!
I really want to get on top of this but there is no way we can afford £400 per month. Don't really know what to do. Do you think switching providers will help and asking our current provider to allow us to pay a reasonable amount to them monthly to cover the arrears? Its such a nightmare

Magentasue

Do you need those fridges and freezers? Our kids are all 15+ with adult appetites and we got rid of our second fridge when we moved to a smaller house. Same with the tumble drying - I used to think I couldn't manage without it in the winter, but this year have juggled with airer, radiators and occasional twenty minute blasts in the tumble drier.

I would read your meter at the same time every day and identify where cuts can be made. We have practically halved our consumption but the kids still have TV, xbox etc on most of the day and the washing all gets dry!

It's almost certain you won't be able to switch with such a large balance but it might be worthwhile finding out about the different tariffs your current supplier offers, and move on to that if you're on a standard tariff now.

teachergirl

hi Ninat,
One thing that might be worth doing is checking to see if you are on the cheapest Tariff for you. I'm with Eon and they let me swop with absolutely no hassle at all(in fact I am quite impressed with them at the moment.) It won't help your defecit but it might make your future bills less.:)

Ninat_2

Thanks for the advice Magentasue and teachergirl,

Unfortunately I do need the fridges and freezers. I am a childminder and care for 5 children every day, as well as my own. They all bring their own food which needs to refrigerated. As well as that I shop once a week only and need to store milk, bread etc as I bulk buy. Tumble drying is definately the biggest challenge, but it surely can't be just that which is causing high bills? I think the £900 bill we had a while ago has set us on a slippery slope and we can't get a hold on it. I am about to call npower now and see what they suggest, but there is no way we can afford the amount they are asking for so looks like we'll be going round in circles for a while yet.

Ninat_2

Right.........npower were very helpful, He agrees that our usage seems rather high for the size of property we have and has suggested meter readings for 7 days and if possible a diary on what we use. Then to call energy efficency and see if they can help. Even taking the £900 bill into account and running at a deficit our bills are higher than average. Have spoken about changing tarrifs, will take a look at it after the 7 day readings. Will keep you posted and thanks for help and advice.