Sat in the dark watching the inaccuracies of my smart meter

cheshirecat2410

Hi guys, thank you all for your help.
We have sussed out the problem.
As per the advice, we turned the fuse box off. Rather than all at one, we did it one by one.
I have monitored the smart meter and it was going up at a rate of 1p per minute.

We turned off the fuse for "central heating/immersion" and the smart meter did not go up at all for 6 minutes.

We turned it back on, and went up the usual 1p per minute.
Turned off again, no rise etc.

Turns out for whatever reason, it is linked to our heating. We have a boiler and water tank. We always have the heating on maximum, however our radiators are only luke walm, and forget having a hot shower for more than a minute. What I thought would be gas turns out to be linked to the electricity, hence the high bill during winter!

Think its time for a new boiler/boiler repair!

What I don't understand is how it is linked to the electricity, maybe the thermostat?

Thanks everyone

Robin9

cheshirecat2410 wrote: »

Turns out for whatever reason, it is linked to our heating. We have a boiler and water tank. We always have the heating on maximum, however our radiators are only luke walm, and forget having a hot shower for more than a minute.

You have been on a steep learning curve.

Start with the radiators - have you bled them recently ? You can get a radiator key from a DIY shed or hardware store. Have they got valves with dials on them ? Have a look at You Tube to see how to balance the system. The boiler shouldn't be at max - has it a "e" setting ?

If the showers are electric then each 15 min shower costs about 50p

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

cheshirecat2410 wrote: »

Hello!
I received my EON bill today and a quite shocked at how much the increase has been compared to this period one year ago. I have broken it down for anyone who would be so kind to help:

27TH NOV 2017 - 23RD JAN 2018
Electricity - 484 kilowatts per hour
Gas - 5128 kilowatts per hour

My Bill is usually around £61 for both and I am usually left with a credit.
I pay direct debit.
I live in a 3 bedroom semi detached, two adults only.

10TH OCTOBER 2018 - 23RD JAN 2019
Electricity - 4235 kilowatts per hour
Gas - 89 kilowatts per hour

From being in credit last quater, I am now £894 in debt with EON.
I have a smart meter, I am currently sat in the dark, with every appliance switched off (it's cold and dark) and yet the £ usage is going up around a penny a minute.

I have spoken with EON who claims everything is normal.
I even questioned the very low gas bill, to which they couldn't answer themselves.

I have opted to pay £100 to get my smart meter tested. Am I right in doing this?

Safe to say our energy usage doesn't seem to have changed since this time last year. No new appliances etc.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Sara

cheshirecat2410 wrote: »

Hi guys, thank you all for your help.
We have sussed out the problem.
As per the advice, we turned the fuse box off. Rather than all at one, we did it one by one.
I have monitored the smart meter and it was going up at a rate of 1p per minute.

We turned off the fuse for "central heating/immersion" and the smart meter did not go up at all for 6 minutes.

We turned it back on, and went up the usual 1p per minute.
Turned off again, no rise etc.

Turns out for whatever reason, it is linked to our heating. We have a boiler and water tank. We always have the heating on maximum, however our radiators are only luke walm, and forget having a hot shower for more than a minute. What I thought would be gas turns out to be linked to the electricity, hence the high bill during winter!

Think its time for a new boiler/boiler repair!

What I don't understand is how it is linked to the electricity, maybe the thermostat?

Thanks everyone

Hello cheshirecat2410 and welcome to the Forums.

Glad you've traced the source of the issue and just a quick note about the test you've paid for. If you let us know, we'll cancel the appointment and refund the fee you've paid.

Thanks cheshirecat2410.

Malc

cheshirecat2410

I will try all three, thank you so much
So far from turning the immersion switch of (will have to turn it on and wait each time we shower) my electricity is going up at a rate of 1p per 4/5 minutes, which is a massive difference.
Thank you for your help
Sara

Farway

cheshirecat2410 wrote: »

I will try all three, thank you so much
So far from turning the immersion switch of (will have to turn it on and wait each time we shower) my electricity is going up at a rate of 1p per 4/5 minutes, which is a massive difference.
Thank you for your help
Sara

You could look into having, or fitting, a timer on your immersion, set to click on before your normal shower time

matelodave

Does your gas boiler not heat your hot water? - it would be an unusal set up if it didn't.

Most people with gas central heating dont need to use the immersion heater at all, especially in the winter so if your's isn't heating the hot water then it would be a good idea to find out why.

However that said, if you've got the heating on full bore and the room stat is never satified then posiibible the boiler never gets a chance to heat your hot water. Perhaps a re-valuation of your timer and thermostat setting might help

Robin9

Is there a programmer associated with your gas boiler ? Does it have different settings for heating and water ? What are they ?

Have you a heating thermostat in your lounge or hall way ? What temp is it set at?

As matelowdave has said you should not be needing to use your immersion heater. The boiler should be quite capable of running a single shower as well as the heating.


PS Throw away the free gift that is the In House Device ! Just read your meters regularly and see when the energy is being used.