new lodger, ,lovely girl but electric has gone mad!

spinningsheep

Hi, ive recently taken in a new lodger, she's lovely but one flaw is she loves to use electric! I have one of those electricity monitors and she thinks nothing of taking 20 minute showers in an electric shower, when she gets in the monitor goes from 8p per hour to £1.80! Now I dont want to sound like a nagging old git but that will put the electric bill up by a massive amount, which I honestly cannot afford, would you say I would be wrong to ask her to calm it down a bit or as a lodger would it be perfectly reasonable to consume as much as you like in normal usage? Dont want to offend you see but I am a bit worried!

clutton_2

if she does not know the electric is going up then she can't do anything about it - maybe show her the monitor and have a chat next time

Running_Horse

Is your name Rigsby?

spinningsheep

Running horse that was so helpful thanks so much, how on earth I coped without your advice before I will never know! If you actually read the post in the first place you would realise I was asking, should I just roll with it, or should I broach the subject with her? I dont want to offend or just sound like a nag, grow up!

before_hollywood

i'll stick my 2p worth in........

is her rent inclusive of bills?

if the showers are in daylight hours then that would explain erratic monitor readings- the 8p an hour is probably most appliances on standby etc.
would it cost less if she had baths? showers are apparently more efficient

how long is her tenency for? i would look how much it is costing you per quarter and also check your suppliers tarriffs against other similar ones elsewhere

spinningsheep

Cheers before hollywood, its only short term to help out a friend of a friend, very long story, and yes all bill included apart from food, I dont mind her showering for goodness sake I mean its normal! We shower of course! But, we are mindful of the cost so we have 10 mins or so max! My question was just would you be offended if you were a lodger and someone asked you to limit time in the shower a bit down to cost, wish I hadn't asked now!lol

before_hollywood

i had a similar situation, if its only short term i wouldnt say anything just yet, if she goes daft with it then maybe a token gesture from her towards the extra she has used would be more appropriate.

a good lodger is worth their weight in gold, but dont take any p taking

eta- how much is her rent do you mind me asking?

cte1111

I don't think a 20 minute shower is that excessive, I'd try and see it as part of the cost of having a lodger, but hopefully the rent should more than cover it.

keith969

Assuming an 8kW shower, and 12p/kWH, then a 20 minute shower works out as 32p. Give the girl a break!

sarah_elton

As a girl, 20 mins sounds about right for a shower. We have a much larger square footage to shave than you blokes, plus longer hair to wash. All adds up.

If she was leaving lights/appliances on in rooms or the fridge door open while preparing food, I'd maybe say something. I don't think 20 mins in the shower is enough really.

snapping_crocodile

Perhaps it goes up to £1.80 when you are in the shower, it's just you can't see (cos you're in the shower!?)