what is using my electricity?

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Looks to me like the immersion heater is on full blast!

matelodave

Try reading and recording your meters daily for a couple of weeks to see when you are using all that energy. If you don't know when its being used or what is using it then you can't work out how to reduce it


As said above don't have the immersion heater on all the time. If you are on E7 then make sure there's a timer that only switches it on during the cheap period. Ideally between about 5-7 in the mornings.
Change your habits so you shower or bath in the mornings rather than at night. Only have shallow baths or 4- 5 minute showers. A 10-15minute shower on full blast can empty the hot water tank in one go. Fit flow restrictors on your taps and shower heads to reduce your consumption of water (some water companies give them away for free). Don't let it run down the sink whilst washing or rinsing - use a bowl or put the plug in.
You can easily get away with just heating the tank for an hour or two in the mornings and still have enough left for your evening ablutions if you use your hot water wisely.
Only put as much in the kettle as you need when making tea or coffee


Turn stuff off at the wall when it's not in use - even a microwave clock will use £4-5 a year.
Make sure that the washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer are full and use them during the cheap period (usually between about 12:30 at night and 7:30 in the morning - although you should check the times) . Half loads use just as much energy (and water) as a full load.
Plasma TVs, computers, Sky boxes, X-boxes etc all consume power unless they are actually unplugged or switched off at the wall.
Look at your lighting. 10 x 50 watt halogens in a kitchen will consume half a kilowatt an hour (up to 8p depending on your tariff) so turn them off when you don't need them or consider changing them for 4watt LEDs.

McKneff

Are you a big family.


I noticed you said you have the washer on twice a day....:eek::eek:

Robin9

Trying to put some logic to this I suspect back in September the bill was based on an estimated reading - with an actual reading taken in November? I also assume the 11787 is night-time use only.

Over the winter period your energy bill probably just about broke even with your actual consumption at £210 and now you are still in arrears (assuming you adjusted your DD straight away) by £600. Over these summer months your monthly bill is about £80 and you will be clearing these arrears at over £200 a month.


My logic :- Assuming the 11787 is only the night time use for the Nov June period of 8 Months and that these are ACTUAL not ESTIMATED readings then:-
Looking at the I/H and take 3kw for 7 hours for 30 days per month (average) or 8 months (Nov June) if it’s on continually - in practise it won’t because the thermostat will cut out or the water will be boiling – then that’s 5000 units.
Assuming 2 rads at say 6kw for the Nov – Feb and assuming they are only charging for 50% of the time then that’s 5000 units--
Also on at night –fridge/freezer/lights/tv on standby etc and you’re late to bed - say 6 units a night -= 2000 units

Total 12000 – fairly close to your 11787
Typically E7 night is 7p (17p day plus 26p day standing charge) then the E7 is £840
Assume 250 a month for daytime at 17p is £42 (£336 for Nov – June)
Add Standing charge at 26p day £62

Total bill £840 plus £42 plus £62 = £944

And for year £1416
Plus VAT at 5% = £1486 - ie £120 a month.
Your winter bills would have been approx £200 if you had paid month by month (for 4 months), summer approx £80 (for 8 months)

When you go through your bills do look at which ones are estimated. How far back in time can you go ? Can you do a simple broad brush estimate for July - read now and at the end of July - assume 7p for night units, 17p day, £8 for standing charge and add that lovely VAT at 5%

It's a bit of work but you will have your own personal indication of costs at the end and able to better budget.