Gas use down - Electricity up ??

Size66

last april i installed a woodburner and therefore use musch less ( gas ) central heating _ as expected my gas use versus same period has come down. However electricity USAGE has gone up a ''lot'' according to the lady i spoke to at the energy supplier - ive also just noticed that my fridge freezer is pooling water inside, so i guess that accounts for some additional use, my question is what are the hungry beasts in household appliances when it comes to 'lecky' ? freezers?, dishwashers?, oil filled radiators? washing machines? consensing dryers? tvs? :mad:

victor2

Fridge/freezers can be fairly high users because although they don't generally use an awful lot, they are on 24/7, so it adds up, but shouldn't be your highest consumer. If you want to see what yours is actually using, get a plug-in monitor, something like this and monitor the usage over at least a 24 hour period. Not particularly recommending that one, just found it with a quick search.
The biggest single user is likely to be an electric shower, if you have one. Read your electricity meter before and after taking a shower to get an idea what that uses. Tumble dryers are big users too, especially as they tend to be on for lengthy periods of time.
Electric heating will also be a heavy user, but a monitor of the type linked above will also help working out the cost of running that.
If your washing machine is used a lot, then that will contribute to the cost as well. As for TVs, don't worry if you've got a fairly modern flat screen type, they use next to nothing when left on standby, despite what the energy saving "promoters" tell us.
If you want to get an idea what you are using, read your meter daily at about the same time for a few weeks. Note the days on which you use appliances such as the washing machine etc. and see how the usage varies.

matelodave

The stuff that uses most electricity is that which heats, like immersion heaters, fan heaters, oil filled radiators, tumble dryers, washing machines tumble dryers etc. Electric cookers can also chew it up as can older or inefficient fridges & freezers.


Lights left on, big plasma TVs on for hours at a time as can computers, games consoles, sky boxes etc. Some of these also use a bit when just put onto standby so turning them off when not in use and over night can save a pound or more a week.


Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need. Only use the washing machine, dryer & dishwasher with full loads. Don't use an immersion heater and avoid using auxiliary heating (fan heaters, electric radiators etc)


Read your meter regularly to monitor how much you are using and when you are using it. That way, you can then see how well your energy saving measures are working.

Alt

Immersion Heater! Make sure it is not on constantly if you have one.