Energy cost excessive?

carolinevw

Hi all, 

I live in a 1930's detached property with no cavity wall. The property is very cold. At the moment we seem to be spending between £4 to £5 per day on gas and electric. This is normally us having the heating on from around 3.30pm to 10.30pm. The problem is even though we're having the heating on for this length of time the bedrooms do not warm up at all. The radiators are really warm but yet the bedrooms are freezing cold, not ideal when I have a six month old baby.

I just wondered if anybody else was spending around the same amount of money or thought what we were paying was excessive or if anyone had any ideas about the cold bedrooms? 

Thank you 

Talldave

How much energy are you using (in kWh)? We can't compare on cost because you may be on a ludicrously expensive tariff. 

PS: loft insulation could be your best bet in the short term. 

carolinevw

1282kwh in gas so far this month and 147kwh in electric 

tim_p

If that’s based on accurate meter readings then the electric is pretty low, gas about average, certainly nothing out of the ordinary (based on what we know). 

carolinevw

That is based on my smart meter figures so will be accurate. That is good to know, thank you 

SnowTiger

carolinevw said:

1282kwh in gas so far this month and 147kwh in electric 

That's your usage during the past 27 days?

Even if you're on a poor value tariff you shouldn't pay more than £3 a day for energy based on those numbers.

Take readings from your in-home display unit with a pinch of salt.  Mine is still programmed with tariff details from a provider I used two switches ago.  It also seems to over estimate my gas use.

Robin9

@carolinevw  From your bills - what are your unit rates and standing charges please ?

Gerry1

Check whether the radiators are cold at the top or bottom.  Cold at the top: they need bleeding.  Absolute doddle, anyone can do it at any time, but take precautions to prevent dirty water staining wallpaper or carpets.  Cold at the bottom: needs the sludge drained out, preferably by a power flush.  Probably best left until the cold weather and the pandemic are over.

Also consider turning the boiler temperature up and fitting TRVs on the downstairs radiators so that the bedrooms are always heated.

David28

In the last 29 days I have used 1403 kWh of gas in a 3 bedroom semi with the heating on from 07:45 to 23:30 and the thermostat set at 21 C for a cost of £38.61 though 400 kWh of that was probably used for hot water and cooking

JGB1955

We've used 1224 kWh of gas in the past 27 days, so your usage figures don't seem far out.  However... out tariff means that our bill will be in the region of £33, including daily standing charge and VAT.  What rates are you paying?

pallyman

Have you got good loft insulation,foil deflectors behind radiators etc,You might be able to apply for insulation of your interior walls though this will mean redecorating,a friends had it and he says he has noticed a difference.