Thinking of buying an electric only flat - advise needed

Sarah_81

I have also just taken final reads for the nightmare GCH property mentioned previous (I moved 6 weeks early as I could stand it no longer in that hell-hole, but my contract only came to an end today) and I think I may have quite a good price after all for my Economy 7 day rates; 16.5p with EDF

Just taken a reading for Spark Energy, who supply the House of Woe (as I like to call it) and their standard rate is 15.5p 24/7! Wow...

Broadwood

Sarah_81 wrote: »

............I have 19 halogens in total; 6 in the living room, 3 in the hallway, 3 in each of the 2 bathrooms and 4 in the kitchen. I always turn them off if I'm not using the room they're in and try to use a single bulb lamp where possible.

Yes....it depends how many are on each switch.......for instance if all 4 in the kitchen are on a single switch, then if you cook and eat in there those 4 halogens might be 1st on the list for changing. Same might be said of the living room as I'm guessing its 6 halogens might be split between only 2 switches, forcing you to have at least 3 on as a minimum.

Just start where it will save you most.

Sarah_81

The halogens in each room have only 1 switch, so all are controlled together.

At present I have none on - the living room I am sat in currently has a floor lamp with 1 energy saving bulb in and that's it - the rest of the apartment is dark.

I turn on/off as I go, and 2 of the 4 bulbs I replaced when I moved in in the kitchen have already blown (from the same pack as other halogen bulbs that also blew after a couple of weeks - serves me right for buying dirt cheap) so for now I haven't replaced them again as a) 2 bulbs cheaper to run than 4 and b) when I do replace I will be replacing all 4 with LEDs.

Broadwood

Sarah_81 wrote: »

The halogens in each room have only 1 switch, so all are controlled together.............

I turn on/off as I go, and 2 of the 4 bulbs I replaced when I moved in in the kitchen have already blown .......

So......kitchen 1st for LEDs....then the living room a close 2nd to avoid having all 6 halogens on burning 300 watts or more. 6 LEDs will hopefully burn no more than 30 watts in total.

Halogens run very hot, so the more often you switch them on/off/on/off as you move about the apartment, the sooner they are likely to blow due to the thermal shock. You've probably noticed especially with halogen car headlights that they usually blow as you switch them on - often with a brighter than normal quick flash.

Sarah_81

Broadwood wrote: »

Halogens run very hot, so the more often you switch them on/off/on/off as you move about the apartment, the sooner they are likely to blow due to the thermal shock. You've probably noticed especially with halogen car headlights that they usually blow as you switch them on - often with a brighter than normal quick flash.

Yes, to be honest when I first moved in I also used the lights being on as another form of heat.

I did wonder if all the turning on/off caused the bulbs to blow. But only the 2 I replaced have done so; the rest of the 'original' bulbs are fine. A bulb I used from the same pack in my previous house (of woe) also blew after a couple of weeks - the rest of the 'original' bulbs were also fine. That's why I'm wondering if it may be a duff pack? Anyhow I will be ordering LEDs after pay day. I have found a pack of 10 online so can do the kitchen and lounge with that pack.

About the car thing - I have nooo idea :rotfl: I don't have a car, I sold mine when I moved out of my parents (in order to be able to afford to live alone) 6 years ago.

Sarah_81

OK, decided to just order the lights tonight as I found a 10 pack for £21. This means I can replace the 4 kitchen, 3 hallway and 3 main bathroom lights. The lounge ones will have to wait as they are dimmable ones so more expensive. They will have to wait until payday. I have a low wattage lamp I can use in there in the meantime. I can't wait to order the new heater but until I own the place I can't spend that amount of money. The cheapest I have found it (Dimplex Quantum smart storage) is about £650. I'm just hoping the sale goes through OK now.

Owain_Moneysaver

Sarah_81 wrote: »

I have 19 halogens in total

If they're GU10 mains ones, there are some on Screwfix deal of the day until midnight, from £1.49