Estimated energy cost on EPC on rental property seems unachievable

TGP99

Its a small 2 bed flat and electric only.The heating is on sparingly morning and evening as I'm at work in the day.

I've looked a bit more into the setup, based on some of the comments above and the immersion heater is on 24/7 even though it was designed to be used off peak. There doesnt seem to be any timer or circuit to only switch it on at night and take advantage of off peak.

AdrianC

TGP99 said:

I've looked a bit more into the setup, based on some of the comments above and the immersion heater is on 24/7 even though it was designed to be used off peak. There doesnt seem to be any timer or circuit to only switch it on at night and take advantage of off peak.

It'll be designed to be run from an E7-switched feed, like storage heaters. If it's getting a permanent live because you aren't on an E7 tariff any more, then you need to install a timer. It's not hard... can you wire a plug?
24hr mechanical - https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-tmihmec-mechanical-immersion-timer/3212r
7day digital - https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-7-day-digital-immersion-timer/1804r

Your electric heaters... are they storage?

greatcrested

As above. Either put a timer in the wiring to the immersion, or just switch it on for an hour manually when needed. On 24/7 will be costing you a fortune.

You've not acually said whether you areon a E7 tariff or not (or have I missed that?). That will make a big difference to heating and hot water costs.

Do you actually need the hot water? If you have an electric shower, and tend to use that, it's not worth heating a whole tank just for washing up. Use a kettle!

MaryNB

Are you able to manually switch it on a night and off in the morning? My parent's have a old immersion heater with just two switches - on/off and bath/shower (to control how much water is heated). It's a pain not having a timer. If you own the flat definitely get one installed. It you rent request one from the landlord (they might not be willing to pay, but might as well ask).

As least there's an obviously source of the problem! Hopefully your bills drop. Do you have an economy 7 meter? Otherwise turning it on a night won't save you any money compared to turning it on during the day. Only difference is you don't have to wait for hot water in the morning but your boiler will probably be on for like 8 hours. 

TGP99

Its rented so cant make any changes myself (or at least without the landlord's permission). I'm not sure if it's an Economy 7 meter, I'll try and find out. The room heaters aren't storage heaters so would only be able to benefit from cheaper water heating

MaryNB

Check your energy bills. They should tell you what tariff you are on. If you have 2 electricity tariffs (day and night) you'll be on an Economy 7 meter. If you have just the one you it'll be the same cost per kWh no matter when you use electricity.

greatcrested

TGP99 said:

Its rented so cant make any changes myself (or at least without the landlord's permission). I'm not sure if it's an Economy 7 meter, I'll try and find out. The room heaters aren't storage heaters so would only be able to benefit from cheaper water heating

Assuming you are responsible for utility bills (not the landlord) how can you not know who the suppier is and what product you have? It's on your bill.

And since this is a moneysaving site, and you are worried about utility costs, one obvious course of action is to shop around for a cheaper supplier - which would also involve knowing about E7.......

Seashell517

TGP99 said:

Its rented so cant make any changes myself (or at least without the landlord's permission). I'm not sure if it's an Economy 7 meter, I'll try and find out. The room heaters aren't storage heaters so would only be able to benefit from cheaper water heating

It should be obvious from looking at the meter. They will only be one number to read if it's a standard meter. If it's E7 (or I think occasionally E10 exists) then there will be two numbers, one for day and one for night rate.

TGP99

greatcrested said:

TGP99 said:

Its rented so cant make any changes myself (or at least without the landlord's permission). I'm not sure if it's an Economy 7 meter, I'll try and find out. The room heaters aren't storage heaters so would only be able to benefit from cheaper water heating

Assuming you are responsible for utility bills (not the landlord) how can you not know who the suppier is and what product you have? It's on your bill.

And since this is a moneysaving site, and you are worried about utility costs, one obvious course of action is to shop around for a cheaper supplier - which would also involve knowing about E7.......

I am repsonsible for the bills but I dont have my first bill because I only just moved in... "Ive just moved into a flat where..."

MaryNB

TGP99 said:

greatcrested said:

TGP99 said:

Its rented so cant make any changes myself (or at least without the landlord's permission). I'm not sure if it's an Economy 7 meter, I'll try and find out. The room heaters aren't storage heaters so would only be able to benefit from cheaper water heating

Assuming you are responsible for utility bills (not the landlord) how can you not know who the suppier is and what product you have? It's on your bill.

And since this is a moneysaving site, and you are worried about utility costs, one obvious course of action is to shop around for a cheaper supplier - which would also involve knowing about E7.......

I am repsonsible for the bills but I dont have my first bill because I only just moved in... "Ive just moved into a flat where..."

The easy way then is to have a look at your meter and see if there are two counters. If you're in an awkward block where it's hard to access the meter, the alternative is to ring your energy provider and ask what tariff you are on.