Electricity Bill Ideas

zaly

So, as opposed to relying on the meter I’ve started taking readings at night before bed, then again first thing in the morning. I’ve also played around with the thermostat on the warm air storage heater to see the difference it makes.

The cost per night seems to vary massively, with the first night when set to very cold costing me £6.03. Since then the cost has varied between 84p and £2.83.

What’s confusing me is the price doesn’t seem to relate to the thermostat setting and varies so much. The 84p night was on a moderate setting whereas it cost £1.11 on mild? I’m confused why it changes so much. Is it related the temp in the house, whereas when it’s colder more energy is required to store the heat than when it’s warmer. It’s the only explanation I can think of but happy to be corrected if this isn’t the case.

Robin9

Zaly - you are confusing me. You are talking in terms of £ which makes me think you are getting this from the IHD. Are you reading the meter itself as well - what are the Kwh readings ?

zaly

Robin9 wrote: »

Zaly - you are confusing me. You are talking in terms of £ which makes me think you are getting this from the IHD. Are you reading the meter itself as well - what are the Kwh readings ?

I have calculated the cost in pounds from the KWh meter readings. If it’s helpful to have the Kwh they are below.


£1.11 (heater set to Mild)
Daytime energy cost - 1 KWh
Nighttime Energy cost - 11Kwh

84p (heater set to moderate)
Daytime energy cost - 1Kwh
Nighttime Energy cost - 8 KWh

£2.83 (heater set to moderate)
Daytime energy cost - 1 KWh
Nighttime Enery cost - 31Kwh

£2.55 (heater set to cold)
Daytime energy cost - 3Kwh
Nighttime energy cost - 24Kwh

I would not expect the daytime energy to factor as the readings are taken before bed & when I wake in order to just calculate the heating costs.

macman

I'm bemused by a 'hot air storage system'. How is the heat stored? It sounds like a big central NSH with the hot air then ducted to each room by fan?

zaly

macman wrote: »

I'm bemused by a 'hot air storage system'. How is the heat stored? It sounds like a big central NSH with the hot air then ducted to each room by fan?

It’s a standard electric forced warm air heating system, stored heat vented through the house:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forced-air

grumpycrab

zaly wrote: »

I’ve also played around with the thermostat on the warm air storage heater

Surely the thermostat is...simply broken. The electricity costs look cheap (based on your list of kWH vs price) but that's what you're expecting, right? Regarding the additional Daytime costs, what is your E7 tariff night-time hours and do they match EXACTLY your sleep time?

zaly

grumpycrab wrote: »

Surely the thermostat is...simply broken. The electricity costs look cheap (based on your list of kWH vs price) but that's what you're expecting, right? Regarding the additional Daytime costs, what is your E7 tariff night-time hours and do they match EXACTLY your sleep time?

The thermostat may be broken, but I’m wondering if there could be any other explanation for the variance in cost before going down that route.

I’m taking both daytime & nighttime readings. Overnight the only daytime usage is around 1Kwh so I know the heating costs are definitely during the nighttime energy period without needing to know exactly when this period occurs.