Is my electricity bill insanely high?

lstar337

MillicentBystander wrote: »

You have your answer there! Get a timer and watch your bills plummet. And here's a tip from a saddo like me - when you are in the shower, shampoo your hair, wet your whole body then TURN THE SHOWER OFF. Wash your body at your leisure (it's costing you nowt!) then switch the shower back on to rinse hair/body. I can be in and out of the shower (10.5KwH so a ridiculous £1.60/hr to run at average leccy prices) in 3 mins of actual 'shower being used' time. 8p cost. Bish bash bosh.:D

I tried this a few times, but our shower blasts out freezing cold water when you first turn it on, so it's not very comfortable.:(

I often think a 'hold' function would be good for electric showers. Just where you press a button and it holds the water in its little reservoir with the element thermostatically controlled (to avoid overheating), and then releases it when the button is pressed again. No more blast of ice cold water!

It wouldn't save as much as shutting it off, but it would save a bit, as keeping that tiny reservoir up to temp wouldn't take much.

MillicentBystander

lstar337 wrote: »

I tried this a few times, but our shower blasts out freezing cold water when you first turn it on, so it's not very comfortable.:(

I often think a 'hold' function would be good for electric showers. Just where you press a button and it holds the water in its little reservoir with the element thermostatically controlled (to avoid overheating), and then releases it when the button is pressed again. No more blast of ice cold water!

It wouldn't save as much as shutting it off, but it would save a bit, as keeping that tiny reservoir up to temp wouldn't take much.

Simple solution - turn the shower head so it's hitting the wall for the few seconds it takes to warm up. Come on, 1star337, this can't be rocket science if I can do it!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

TBorg wrote: »

Thank you for your comments. I'll have to call my provider EON to check for plan details but its called E.ON energy plan and costs 12.64p/kWh + standing charge of 26.09p/day. Would you judge this as an expensive plan?

By your comments about heating during peak hours, I think this might be the problem for me. As the immersion heater in my apartment is switched on 24/7, including peak times. Should I switch off the water heater the moment I leave for work every day?

Hi TBorg

As Wolf3 says, the E.ON Energy Plan is our standard tariff. There are other tariffs available, both with us and with the other suppliers, which are currently cheaper than this tariff.

There are no tie-ins or cancellation fees with this tariff, though, leaving you free to switch tariff/supplier without penalty.

The prices quoted are for the single rate version of this tariff. Depending on your circumstances, it might be worthwhile considering the Economy 7 option. This is where all electric used during 7 hours at night is charged at cheaper off peak prices.

With our Economy 7 tariffs, daytime prices are higher than the single rate version. Therefore, you need to be sure you'll use enough electricity during the off peak period to benefit.

Usually but not exclusively, Economy 7 benefits people in all electric properties with storage heaters and electric water heaters.

To go on to Economy 7, we would need to change the meter. We're currently charging £51.06 to do this.

I agree with much of what has been said about leaving your immersion heater on 24/7. I certainly wouldn't recommend this.

We've an Energy Efficiency team who specialise in helping people cut back on their usage. If you have a chat with them and tell them about the property and appliances, they'll be happy to advise ways you might be able to save.

Ask them for a copy of a booklet called '100 ways to save money by saving energy.' It's free and contains lots of useful tips to help you cut back.

They'll also advise in more depth about Economy 7 and your immersion heater.

There's energy saving info on our website, too. Particularly the 'Saving Energy Toolkit' and 'Interactive House.'

Hope this is of interest TBorg. Let me know if you need any more details as happy to help.

Malc

lstar337

MillicentBystander wrote: »

Simple solution - turn the shower head so it's hitting the wall for the few seconds it takes to warm up. Come on, 1star337, this can't be rocket science if I can do it!

I tried that too! but our shower is quite small and it just sprayed back on me. I also got cold feet from the water in the bottom.

It's a good idea, I just can't make it work for me!

MillicentBystander

lstar337 wrote: »

I tried that too! but our shower is quite small and it just sprayed back on me. I also got cold feet from the water in the bottom.

It's a good idea, I just can't make it work for me!

What a wuss

lstar337

MillicentBystander wrote: »

What a wuss

I know.:rotfl:

If I wasn't such a wuss I could have a cold shower every morning and save a packet!:D