HELP - How do I reduce my electric usage?!

PItchy

DavyJones61 wrote: »

But something has changed.

That's correct - as I said that is all that has changed, underfloor heating in a small room should not increase usage by 68% should it?

PItchy

SALTburn64 wrote: »

Can you get solar panels fitted ?

Unfortunately not - we are in a block of flats :-(

JJ_Egan

PItchy wrote: »

That's correct - as I said that is all that has changed, underfloor heating in a small room should not increase usage by 68% should it?

Looks like it has.
What unit rates and standing charge are you on .

PItchy

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Looks like it has.
What unit rates and standing charge are you on .

I have researched rates / deals and am confident that the tariff Im on is the best I can get. That isn't my issue. My issue is trying to understand why I would be using 68% more Kw than 3 years ago. I am wondering if I have a faulty meter, I cant believe that under floor heating can account for that increase but am going to switch it off and monitor usage then switch it back on again and see what happens.


Any other suggestions I could try?

matelodave

How is your underfloor heating controlled - has it got a timeswitch or a thermostat.

What other stuff have you got. You could do an energy audit - look at all your electrical devices and see how much power they consume and then multiply that by the number of hours a day, week or year that they are in use to give you some idea of where it all goes.

Some libraries were loaning out energy monitors (like the the Owl or Efergy) which you could try for a couple of weeks to see what is using it all. They aren't everso accurate but they do show you when stuff is on or off and you can get a good idea of how much individual devices are using.

Have a look at this - https://www.energyhive.com/dashboard/dave to see what info you can get from them. I've learned how to interpret the graphs so I know what is being used, which appliances are using it and when.

If you don't monitor your consumption then you can't control it. Getting upset when the bill comes in is too late because you've already used the energy and you've got to pay for it.

D_M_E

Block of flats - this could be the problem.

Are the meters for the block all in one location? Have you checked that the meter you think is yours is the actual one supplying your flat - a common problem in blocks is meter mixup where owners/renters pay for someone else's energy usage.

Has anyone moved in recently to one of the other flats and may be using more energy, thus generating higher bills which are being sent to you?

Again, have you checked that it is your meter and therefore your bill?#

JJ_Egan

If it was me i would take a reading with everything off .
Turn on fridge freezer etc and check meter after twenty four hours .
Then turn on heating next day and 24 hour check .#
Multiply your cheap tariff rates by meter readings .

PItchy

matelodave wrote: »

How is your underfloor heating controlled - has it got a timeswitch or a thermostat.

What other stuff have you got. You could do an energy audit - look at all your electrical devices and see how much power they consume and then multiply that by the number of hours a day, week or year that they are in use to give you some idea of where it all goes.

Some libraries were loaning out energy monitors (like the the Owl or Efergy) which you could try for a couple of weeks to see what is using it all. They aren't everso accurate but they do show you when stuff is on or off and you can get a good idea of how much individual devices are using.

Have a look at this -to see what info you can get from them. I've learned how to interpret the graphs so I know what is being used, which appliances are using it and when.

If you don't monitor your consumption then you can't control it. Getting upset when the bill comes in is too late because you've already used the energy and you've got to pay for it.

Its by thermostat. I recorded our over night usage last night so going to switch it off today and record meter readings over night again and will try this with different things on and off over the weekend.
Thanks for recommendation regarding energy monitors - I'll investigate that

PItchy

D_M_E wrote: »

Block of flats - this could be the problem.

Are the meters for the block all in one location? Have you checked that the meter you think is yours is the actual one supplying your flat - a common problem in blocks is meter mixup where owners/renters pay for someone else's energy usage.

Has anyone moved in recently to one of the other flats and may be using more energy, thus generating higher bills which are being sent to you?

Again, have you checked that it is your meter and therefore your bill?#

The meters are all in our individual flats and we are all with varying providers so whilst I don't think this the issue its definitely something I will keep in mind if all other avenues of my investigations come up blank, thank you

PItchy

JJ_Egan wrote: »

If it was me i would take a reading with everything off .
Turn on fridge freezer etc and check meter after twenty four hours .
Then turn on heating next day and 24 hour check .#
Multiply your cheap tariff rates by meter readings .

This is now going to be my Easter weekend plans!! Hopefully I'll se some results trying this. Thank you.