Huge Electricity Usage (Rented Property) x/post Energy

Ivana_Tinkle

Having the immersion on for three hours a day sounds like an astonishing amount to me. Our only water heating is an immersion heater and we have it on for about three hours a week, and that's for a family of five! OK, so we're probably a bit tight, and don't mind lukewarm showers, but I shudder at the thought of the leccy bills for three hours a day.

kinger101

For one, you're annualising the cost based on your winter consumption. One you get to March, you'll probably be able to get away without using heating.

Immersion heaters are expensive unless you have an economy 7 tariff and heat water overnight. However, if you use electric heating outside off-peak times, then this might not be any cheaper as the peak tariff is higher. The best solution therefore would be to use an electric shower as others have suggested, and boil the kettle for washing dishes. Alternatively, these are available:

http://www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/buy/electric-hot-tap/9860

If you can get the landlords permission to install the electric show and hot water tap, then these will probably pay for themselves over a relatively short period.

tberry6686

It is very unlikely that there is anything wrong with the meter. The problem is completely down to the heating system installed not being fit for purpose.

These "new and efficient" oil filled radiators are only really suitable for heavily insulated homes, for a 200yo cottage they are the single most expensive form of heating you can have (short of burning fivers in an open fire).

The only 3 ways to reduce your electricity bills are to insulate and draftproof as much as physically possible, turn down the heating and wear more clothes or persuade your landlord to rip out the radiators and install something appropriate instead.

kinger101

The "new and efficient" bit is something of a misnomer with electric heating. This has always been highly efficient. The problem is the price per KWh is much greater than gas or solid fuel. These are less efficient, as they vent some of the heat outside via the flue, and do not achieve complete combustion.