Parents' £80 Elec. bill p.m, surely too much?Emersion heater?

buel

Hi,
Thank you for your comments, dont worry i didn't see it as 'scoring points', i appreciated your comments!
Just so you know, the 'lamps' i referred to were heat lamps for their puppies but are not on these days.
im sorry for this hassle, dont worry i will be finished with all this soon+my parents can move to a nice normal meter with direct debit payments and paperless bills with eon and i will not have to keep coming on here and picking everyone's brains. The help i have received is much appreciated!!

Ok, in answer to your question, here are the readings so far:
Sun 9am Meter:22575 Owl:455
Mon 9am Meter:22593 Owl:475
Tue 9am Meter:22613 Owl:497
Wed 9am Meter:22629 Owl:497

So it seems that in 24 hours they use an average of 18 units/kwh(going by the meter, not the Owl)
Just to clarify, the heat lamps i mentioned are not in use at the moment, off the top of my head i can tell you that the biodisk (turns human waste into water) is on 24 hrs a day as is the pond cleaner, plus the two fridge freezers and the one chest freezer and the rest are the usual TV, Video, DVD player and Sky Box on standby etc. and the usual lights on during the day and pc running all day.

Interestingly (i thought), i got my mum to give me readings of 9pm every night so far too so i can tell you what they use per night:
Mon 9pm Meter:22607 Owl:490
Tues 9am Meter:22613 Owl:497

Tues 9pm Meter:22624 Owl:510
Wed 9am Meter:22629 Owl515

So they use about 5/6 kwh per night. (That's the biodisk, pond pump and fridge-freezers and chest freezer on permanently plus the usual on standby)

What do you think of these figures please?

buel

What does anyone think of these figures please?

Andy_WSM

buel wrote: »

So it seems that in 24 hours they use an average of 18 units/kwh

What do you think of these figures please?

Seems reasonable enough to me. I use a little more, but have a home office running all day - 4 computers, lights etc.

Roughly speaking, 20 units a day @ 10p a unit = £2.00 a day or £60 a month. Perfectly reasonable consumption given their biodisk, pond etc.

lu_lu_2

Hi Buel,

I note that you have only now mentioned the biodiversity unit. As this runs 24hrs per day your parents elec bill is obviously going to be higher than average especially with the pond pump,puppy shed heater in winter & 3 fridges/freezers. Check their water bill to ensure they are not paying for sewage removal.

I think that 20 units per day is way over the top. I am widowed, live on my own & I use 3 units per day. My 85 yr old Dad has been staying with me this week & with 2 people having elec showers & using the elec oven each evening (I don't generally use it) plus I asked him to bring his dirty laundry with him for me to do we still only used 5/6kw per day. Your parents are using this much per night!!!!!

I note you also STILL say about equipment being left on standby. SWITCH EVERYTHING OFF ON THE WALL. This WILL save money. If my 85 yr old Dad can do this so can your parents.

I am sorry to say this but I feel as if I have wasted my time trying to help you because you do not seem to have taken on board the basic principles of elec efficiency.

Andy_WSM

lu_lu wrote: »

I think that 20 units per day is way over the top. I am widowed, live on my own & I use 3 units per day.

Which is way UNDER average consumption.

One size doesn't fit all - and if you have a house that has electrical items that HAVE to run 2/7 (pond filters, bio unit, 3 freezers etc) then you can expect to ABOVE average. - Average being approx 12 units per day.

lu_lu_2

Andy WSM

You have missed the point entirely.

20 units per day is well over the top.

Switching off unused electrical items - ie not leaving TVs, computers etc on standby is WASTEFUL. Don't complain about your elec bill if you can't be bothered to turn them off!

Andy_WSM

lu_lu wrote: »

Andy WSM

You have missed the point entirely.

20 units per day is well over the top.

Switching off unused electrical items - ie not leaving TVs, computers etc on standby is WASTEFUL. Don't complain about your elec bill if you can't be bothered to turn them off!

lu lu

I'm not complaining?!

I am merely pointing out that to expect buel's parents to use as little as you is a practical impossibility when there are appliances that HAVE to run 24/7. Yes, lose the appliances, move home to one without a pond and a biounit for the sewage, but then you are talking major lifestyle changes, not energy efficiency!

You also missed the point that you use a QUARTER of the average UK consumption, you are more out of kilter with the average then buel's parents are!

Their higher than average consumption is more likely to be down to the 24/7 devices that need to be on, rather than a TV left on stand by!

lu_lu_2

Andy WSM

I am not suggesting that Buel's parents move house.

It was Buel who asked for help in reducing her parents elec costs & if you have read my previous posts I have made practical suggestions to try & assist.

Obviously they have to run the biodiversity pump & also enjoy their pond. I thankfully have a canal at the bottom of my garden which does not cost me anything. The heating for the puppy shed is a luxury but also a hobby so if they are finding money "tight" & who isn't then they need to look at otherways of saving. Not using the tumble drier except in desperation & turning off appliances when not in use also ensuring that all light bulbs are energy efficient are ways of maintaining ones lifestyle within ones budget.

I still ask myself why 2 people need 2 fridge/freezeers & another freezer.

buel

Hi again!
Thank you so much to Lu Lu and andy_wsm, your comments are really appreciated and you are both correct!
Lu lu, please understand that i dont live at my parents' and only actually go up there once a week for a few hours and, for one reason or another, please believe me that what i have done so far (getting them to substitute the tumble dryer for the rotary washing line, accept that the pond pump is actually ok to run for 8 hrs a day as opposed to 24hrs a day) really is an achievement!!:) Honestly, your advice has been absolutely brilliant and they will be taking it...but just one step at a time. Please believe me that your electricity useage impresses me SO much! I would imagine that a certain Mr Lewis would be very proud of you, you know!!

Ok, the pond pump on a timer is my next 'step', then replacing the bulbs they have with energy efficient bulbs, getting them to switch the appliances off at night then switching to a cheaper supplier.
I would like to ask- do you, andy_wsm or anyone reccommend any particular timer switches? and how about any adaptors/extension leads that would help them to switch a set of appliances off all at once maybe?
Please dont give up on me/them just yet!

Andy_WSM

buel wrote: »

I would like to ask- do you, andy_wsm or anyone reccommend any particular timer switches? and how about any adaptors/extension leads that would help them to switch a set of appliances off all at once maybe?
Please dont give up on me/them just yet!

If you have an IKEA nearby then pop in and take a look in their electrical / lighting section. You will get a pair of mechanical timers for a few £, low energy light bulbs for pence each and reasonably priced extension cords.

Alternatively, try poundland! They certainly sell low energy bulbs & extension cords - you may find £1 timers there too! Worth a look?