Is there a maximum electricity consumption for a residential tariff?

ChumpusRex

Just wondering. I've recently started with a new project at home which will use a large amount of electricity.

At present, I'm on course for about 2000 kWh per month, but plan to expand this to 6000 kWh per month.

Am I going to run into problems with suppliers trying to force me onto an industrial contract, etc.?

A quick call to the customer support line for my current supplier (EDF) didn't yield any information that sounded reliable.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

I can only speak for 1 former employer, but with them their business energy was split 2 ways:

1) "Corporate Markets" - Over 10 GWh consumption or > 15 meter points

2) "SME" Everything else.

No distinction was made between the smallest businesses and the larger households. There is significant crossover; there are plenty of houses in the Surrey/Cheshire millionaires belt with over 100 MWh annual consumption on domestic tariffs. Likewise, there are loads of hairdressers/1 man high street accountants using less than 10 MWh a year, on business rates.

I'd be surprised if you triggered anything other than a polite enquiry.

That said, vat is charged at 5% for domestic and 20% for commercial rates. If the main purpose for consumption is for business, you're more likely to run into hmrc than an energy firm imho.

chanz4

you will be fine, however they will send you a vat declaration and you need to ensure your supply will cope with the demand on single phase

scaredofdebt

Are you growing any "special" plants?



No, there's no problem from the energy companies point of view, heated swimming pools can easily consume over 100,000 Kwh per annum although they do tend to have their own meter.

Ryune

The only point things kick in is when your demand exceeds 100 kVA 3 times over the year at which point you're required to have a half hourly meter installed and a meter operator contract (at about £300 pA).

You won't hit that for residential.

molerat

I am wondering if you are likely to exceed the rated supply to the property ? If it is something running a steady load 24/7 then probably not but a heavier load over a short period to reach those consumption figures may be a problem.

ChumpusRex

Thx for the replies, interesting and reassuring.

It's a steady load 24/7, with unity power factor. At the moment it's just under 3 kW, so runs off a single 13A socket. 9 kW shouldn't cause problems with diversity, although this will require a new dedicated ring circuit to be installed.

I suspect, however, that I'll have unmanageable heat load before 9 kW. Heat load is already a problem with 3 kW (still, at least I don't have to pay for additional heating at the moment), and I guess I'll probably have to see how the Summer goes before upgrading much further.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Cryptocurrency mining?