High KW usage and how to reduce it.

jetplane

Hi, this week we have been looking to get a price for solar panels. To cut a long story short last year our usage was 6800 KW the guy from the company said this was a huge amount. I have checked and over the last 2 weeks we have used an average of 22KW per day.

We have a 4 bed house, we are out at work 4 days a week. There are 2 of us live here with regular family visiting.

I have never compared my KW usage before (we switch supplier every year) but we must be doing something badly wrong? Can anyone give me comparisons and advice on what is an average KW use?

We are going to spend the week switching everything off and re-read the meter next week :eek:

daveyjp

We use less than 10 a day.

If you have gas heating and hot water one of the largest users which can be missed are electric showers.

If you use electric for any sort of heating or hot water expect high bills.

jetplane

Sorry should add that heating and cooker hob are gas, shower is combi boiler. I know that when the boiler kicks in the electricity meter flashes faster.
We have electric oven, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, freezer, fridge TV's etc. And most of our lights are multiple ie. spotlights or chandelier type fittings.

molerat

jetplane wrote: »

Sorry should add that heating and cooker hob are gas, shower is combi boiler. I know that when the boiler kicks in the electricity meter flashes faster.
We have electric oven, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, freezer, fridge TV's etc. And most of our lights are multiple ie. spotlights or chandelier type fittings.

Halogen spotlights can use 50w per bulb, definitely change them to LED. Tumble dryer can be a big eater if overused. Old fridges and freezers can also use a fair bit.

Any fish tanks / tropical pets ? Electric underfloor heating in the bathroom ? These can be large consumers.

matelodave

You need a methodical approach if you really want to reduce your consumption.

You need to read your meter frequently, ideally once a week but try doing it daily for a week or soo to get an idea of when you are using it all - set up a spreadsheet. Once you start measuring it it you can seen what effect your actions are making.

As you say, start by turning most stuff off.Look at what gets left on all the time. Sky boxes, Playstations and suchlike can use quite a lot when in standby.

As mentioned electric showers can use a surprising amount, especially if you spend 10-15minute a go in there. Reduce showering time to five minutes or less.

Only use the dishwasher, washing machine & tumble dryer with full loads, they use the same amount of energy when empty as when they are full. Make sure the immersion is off if you've got a gas boiler heating the hot water. Put a decent lagging jacket over the tank, even a foam sprayed tank would benefit from and extra jacket.

I note that you've got a combi boiler so this is not applicable but I'm confused when you say that the leccy meter starts flashing rapidly when the boiler is running - a combi only has a pump and a fan and some elctronics and shouldn't be taking much more than a 60-100watt light bulb - most meters flash at around 1000 flashes per kwh, so the boiler would make it flash at around 60-100 per hour.

Check out your lighting - our kitchen had 10x50 watt halogens, it's now got 10 x 4 watt LEDs,saving nearly a kwh for every two hours that they are switched on.

Chandeliers with multiple bulbs can use up quite a bit as well if they are left on for long periods - do the sums: 5 x 40watts is 200 watt, swapped out for 5 x 4 watt LEDs = 20watts.

LEDs use about 10% of the energy of an incandescent bulb and warm white give out a good light. Buy some and try them.

We are all electric (heating as well) and use about the same as you do. This time of the year we are using around 30kwh a day but during the summer it drops to around 8kwh a day, so you must be doing something wrong

jetplane

Yes we have a fish tank and the first question he asked was do we have underfloor heating but we don't. Husband will have to go and buy some LEDs I've just counted off the top of my head we have 26 halogen spotlights including the cooker hood :eek: and we have 14 capsule bulbs in the chandelier type we will need to check if these are halogen. Oh and 4 outside security lights, need to check these, oh dear

jetplane

matelodave The leccy doesn't flash rapid like it does for the kettle I just noticed that it flashed faster. This morning I went round and turned everything off and then turned various items on to see how it flashed I even used a stop watch at one point, how sad, like an experiment.
I'm going to do a spreadsheet this week my husband is going to accuse me of nagging I also think we have been very sloppy, doors are left open, lights left on etc.

matelodave

get one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/13a-plug-in-energy-saving-monitor-n67fu or look at Screwfix for something similar. It will tell you how much energy stuff uses to give you a better idea of what's using it all.

I've got an online energy monitor see here https://www.energyhive.com/dashboard/dave and I know what all the blips and peaks mean so I can see when stuff has been left on

grumpycrab

jetplane wrote: »

26 halogen spotlights

Check the internet for cheap(er) LED replacements e.g. MR16 (2 sharp pins)
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/mr16-led-lamp-6w-1-69-screwfix-2624206
Or GU10 (knobly pins...)
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/10-pack-gu10-5w-led-bulbs-warm-white-50w-equivalent-only-8-99-delivered-from-aldi-2622775
EDIT: cooker hood (not as important) but need to check fitting - might be E14 (small screw); we use "long life" because we had problems with the original halogens blowing all of the time.
EDIT2: 4 security lights should be fine IF NOT ON ALL NIGHT, but I suggest the main culprit will be the dryer (use a washing line)...

jetplane

Thanks for the links I've been looking at energy monitors and light bulbs. Husband is trying to understand why I'm asking him to go and spend nigh on £100 to save electric
I suspect the security lights flash on and off during the night due to wildlife.
And the dryer, yes it's lazy because if its too cold to hang the washing out then the radiators are usually on and husband is a last minute washer meaning he leaves no drying time then uses the dryer .

SpotlandRules

Dryer can be a killer. Mine uses about 2 kWh for each use. Shower is also an eater, I have noticed a massive drop since limiting myself to 5 min showers.