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Why is my electricity bill so high?
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matelodave wrote: »...replace them with low energy lamps. You can change GU10 halogen bulbs for LED versions...Are you for real? - Glass Half Empty??
:coffee:0 -
first off your bill is not that bad, £16 a week is not mad usage.
But if you want to reduce that, then as said look to unplug stuff, keep a check on your usage every 24 hours, how many units you use, so the next day you can try and reduce that, you will start to see what cooking uses, the washing machine etc and can make savings that way.
Things that you don't think cost a lot can do, showers use loads, cooking does too.
but as said, £16 a week is highish but not daft high.
I think what is making it look a lot worse is your gas usage is very low, £90 a quarter is low, you can't get much lower and still have hot water and gas for cooking, not to mention the heating on.0 -
This is easier than it looks. http://www.ukpower.co.uk/tools/running_costs_electricity#.UsE9ZfuhLHs
Lots of 50 watt spotlight bulbs will be expensive. Can you use lamps with low energy bulbs instead of the spotlights. Assuming you have an electric shower these can be expensive if you have long showers.
Your bills should show annual consumption. Use this to check how much you could save.0 -
Thank you for the suggestions.
The last two were from meter readings.
I'm on the standard tariff because I rent, and I'm just not sure I can cope with doing comparisons.
I have a few extension plugs - would these use electricity if the things plugged into them are off?
Also, my landlord festooned the house with spotlights which use GU10 bulbs so I don't think I can get energy efficient versions?
Renting does not require you to be on Standard (the most expensive variable tariff). A comp site exercise requires just your postcode and annual kWH figure, and takes about one minute-less time than you spent posting.
You mention gas CH, but not how you heat your hot water? This is the biggest power user after heating. Forget obsessing about hair dryers etc, these draw a high wattage but are only used for a few minutes. Probably 80% of your energy usage is heating and hot water, focus on that.No free lunch, and no free laptop0 -
Lots of good advice.
I live with family and always like to check rooms as people go out. Sure enough lights left on and wires with nothing on the end.
I am sure it all helps in saving on the fuel bill.
My latest since the dark mornings is for the early risers to put the lights on AND then leave the curtains shut.
guess what? one of my first morning jobs is to open the curtains.
Then first to shut them again about 4pm. To keep the cold night out.The secret to success is making very small, yet constant changes.:)0 -
Renting does not require you to be on Standard (the most expensive variable tariff). A comp site exercise requires just your postcode and annual kWH figure, and takes about one minute-less time than you spent posting.
You mention gas CH, but not how you heat your hot water? This is the biggest power user after heating. Forget obsessing about hair dryers etc, these draw a high wattage but are only used for a few minutes. Probabtly 80% of your energy usage is heating and hot water, focus on that.
and cooling , remember , your firdge /freezer is running 24/70 -
We have just moved house to a 2 bed semi bungalow and I am red hot at keeping tabs on energy bills (have to as we are pensioners), we have had 3 separate bills since moving in all with the same supplier but as we had previously been on a fixed tariff with Scottish Power I had already decided we had to stay with them and managed to arrange with them to stay on a fixed tariff for another 2 yrs before the prices went up.
Anyway going back to the previous supplier Utility Warehouse, I was staggered when I totted up the prices I had been charged with them which has worked out to for both gas and electricity a whopping £4.67 per day :eek: I would add that we have had workmen doing jobs here but not all the time and obviously not using gas, only electricity for their power tools. We probably used a bit more heating ourselves to heat the house whilst workmen were leaving doors open etc. but only our gas fire was on (early am and late pm CH for a few hours).
Does anyone else on here think these prices were extortionate? I checked their charges and the pence per kWh charges were : Elec - 15.679p per kwh and Gas - 4.920p per kwh. The Daily standing charges were 18.014 (gas) and 18.877 (elec). To have stayed with them we would have paid £1643 pa compared to approx. £1250 what we paid previously with Scottish Power. It certainly does pay to check what you are being charged and go to comparison sites.0 -
They seem a little high for kwh for both utility'. But i suppose this depends on where you live. I pay around 11.73 for electric and 3.54 per kwh for gas standing charge similar to yours worth doing a new price check i think.0
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