Small flat, huge bills!

Anthorn

It does sometimes happen that what we think is incorrect is correct and what we think is correct is incorrect.

For example in my case I was living in an all electric property but I moved into a dual fuel electric and gas property. I am satisfied that the electric meter is correct because my electric consumption in my new property was virtually the same as in my old property.

Then I changed my electric cooker for a gas cooker. It was reasonable for me to assume that my electricity consumption would decrease and my gas consumption would increase. A month later when I submitted meter readings my gas consumption increased as expected but my electricity consumption unexpectedly also increased.

The verdict was that I don't actually cook as much as I thought I did.

You probably need to appraise your energy consumption more accurately and you also need to submit your meter readings more often.

Lastly it's not exactly unknown for energy to be taken through your meter by a neighbour or even by communal lighting. The best way to find out is to turn everything off, take a meter reading and then go back later, take another meter reading and see how much energy has been used while everything has been turned off. Don't forget to allow for such things as pilot lights left on.

grumpycrab

vincent2017 wrote: »

One possible culprit was the 3-kilowatt De'Longhi Rapido G011230RTW Oil Filled Radiator which I would sometimes use in my bedroom on cold evenings. I'd guess that was on for anywhere fromr 100 to 250 hours in total during the year. Now it's gone and I'll put on another jumper instead .

That might be the reason (depends whether it was on full/half heat/thermostat). The last actual reading from you (before today) was August. Is there no central heating rad in the bedroom?

vincent2017

Thank you for both your replies.

There is one light on the stairs leading up here. There is also the light in the main hallway. I always assumed that light was on the circuit of the ground-floor flat, but if it turned out that it is on our circuit then that may be the cause of our big electricity bill. Because it's often left on overnight, during the day, etc. So replacing it with a motion-sensing bulb would make a big difference.

I will try turning everything up here off overnight but leaving that light on, and seeing if the meter still moves. If it does then it must be on our circuit!

And, yes, I need to submit meter readings once a month!

I just thought that because I'm good at turning off lights that my general usage would be reasonable .

There's a radiator in my bedroom but it's a small one underneath the single-glazed sash window. When I had the oil-powered radiator it was between my bed and the wall on the other side of the room. I would have it on full heat!

The smart plug I've just started using is the TP-Link HS110. I should be able to work out the cost of each appliance in turn, and add them all up...

Norman_Castle

In a flat converted from a Victorian house look for drafts. Check where pipes run through walls and floors. Behind kitchen cabinets and behind bath panels are often poorly finished as they cannot be seen. Make sure the loft hatch is airtight.
Your oven seal might be a problem as leaking heat will cause the thermostat to switch the element on more often although any leaked heat will be heating your home.
During winter the heating pump runs for longer and lights are on for longer.
Have you tried led bulbs? They can have a much better, brighter light than cfl bulbs. Cfls also dim with age.

vincent2017

Thanks, Norman. Yes, it's certainly drafty! The windows rattle when it's windy. Thick curtains throughout will help, that's the best thing I could spend money on.

I figure I should be able to insulate the loft myself too, if it's currently 3-6cm and I could lay down 27cm that would obviously help.

I did try LED bulbs but took them back to the shop the next day because they were so painful for my eyes. The guy in the shop said "I know what you mean, I go home with a headache every day!" Poor bloke!

Still, if it does turn out that the ceiling light in the main hallway by the front door is on this circuit, it would make sense to get an LED light. Either a regular one, or something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MINGER-Bayonet-Automatic-Lighting-!!!12304;2-Packs!!!12305;/dp/B077M382Y3/

Then see what effect that has on the bills...

grumpycrab

Be careful with LED bulbs. They will either be too blue (get warm light) or too dull (what wattage are you replacing?). And they're expensive - not as bad as they used to be but still a case of buyer beware. Compared with unplugging the 3KW oil rad, they'll only make a significant difference if you have lots to replace.

Norman_Castle

Yes, it's certainly drafty! The windows rattle when it's windy.

Try stopping the drafts with cut up plastic bags rolled into strips then pushed into any gaps or put tape over gaps. Not pretty but free and easily removed when the weather warms.

vincent2017

Thanks again!

Yes, I thought it was an "Ah-Ha" moment when I considered that the ground-floor hallway light might be on our circuit, because it's often left on for 12+ hours a day. But even so, that wouldn't make more than a couple of pounds a month difference to a bill.

I would rather not use any LED lights at all because I find them harsh on my eyes.

I do have two decorative filament bulbs, in our hallway and on a lamp, but they're just 40 watts. Like this: https://www.ryness.co.uk/35w-bc-rustic-amber-carbon-filament-lamp

A lovely light from them!

CashStrapped

I re-read your opening post. Just to ensure I had not missed anything.

One thing you do mention is that it is the top floor of a converted Victorian house. One thing I would do, just to be sure, is check the meters you are using are correctly assigned to your property. It is not uncommon for these mistakes to go missed for years.

First, you need to check the mprn on your bill matches that printed on the meter. Then you need to ensure that the meter is only corresponding to use from your flat.

To do this you have to (for the electrics) turn everything off. Maybe at the consumer unit to be sure. Then check the meter. If it is still recording use, then there may be a mix up.

Same for the gas, although a gas meter, although a gas meter may not show the use as instantaneously.

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If these things check out, you need to approach things as best you can, being a tenant rather than a property owner.

1) Change things you control and how use use existing conrols.
Boiler settings? Are you using them correctly. Nest Settings? Is it working correctly. Check what appliances may be using energy at a constant trickle.

2) Make cheap changes:

Loft insulation, some places may still offer this free of charge. Install draft proofing on doors.

Look online on how to install draught proofing on wooden windows. Or as this is quite cheap, ask the landlord to get a professional to do it. You can also get magnetic secondary glazing. This means you can take it off when you leave, is is non-destructive. Or again ask the landlord to install it. As norman has mentioned, block any draughts. Put up curtains.

You may want to ask the landlord about trv valves. In a smallish flat, they may not have much of an impact however.

vincent2017

Thank you for all of those suggestions, CashStrapped.

There's the original meter and two newer ones presumably put in when the property was converted in the late 90s. I've just double-checked and the serial number on the bill corresponds with the meter. That's as I'd expect since I was the one that switched to Gnergy. However until I've done the test you suggest, it may be that it's not actually this flat's meter I've been looking at.

Also, the thought just struck me that since the meters are all next to each other, I can be nosey and see what the electricity usage is for the other flats over the next month.

This looks like a useful and cheap way to make the windows a little less leaky: https://www.gapseal.co.uk/

Thanks so much for your help!