Something wrong with my energy usage, please help

Debzzz31

Thank you all soo much for your input & advise, I will definitely be going back to my old ways with the heating!!
Anyone know what the credit thing means on my meter?

theoretica

Looking at the usage in kWh will give you a much cleaner idea of whether your lifestyle changes are changing how much energy you use, without the confusion of price changes on top.  I suspect having your heating on as low as possible to be comfortable and only when needed to be comfortable will give you the lowest use.

Chrysalis

I agree with the advice I have read here.

Analyse your usage in KwH, not cost.  For the exact reasons stated, you need to know your usage, and cost has changed.

Try to get used to using less heating, I understand its not comfortable, but we now in an era when heating is really expensive and likely a big part of your overall consumption.

If you have an in home display use that on the live usage and check the consumption for all electrical devices you have turning them on and off so you have an idea where the consumption is going, also look at your usage for time of day.

If you dont have a working live usage IHD you can get watt meters to measure at the socket for individual devices.  If you keep it in the socket for long periods it will also calculate KwH for you.  Also if you have a smart meter measuring at 30 min intervals, you can turn things off for 30 minutes to check the affect on the interval without needing a watt meter.

Mstty

Your Electricity usage does seem high. Normally with gas central heating electricity charges are less than gas charges.

I wonder what you have running to use 16-19kWh of electricity a day.

Debzzz31

Thats what I'm wondering!? Just ordered a watt usage monitor as it does seem accessive! Will keep u posted!

Debzzz31

Ps...I've not had the heating on since 9am this morning, yippee! Let's see if it makes a difference! Will keep u posted...

Phlik

Debzzz31 said:

Thats what I'm wondering!? Just ordered a watt usage monitor as it does seem accessive! Will keep u posted!

Go room by room and make a note of everything plugged in.
Oil filled radiators, fan heaters, dish washer, washing machine, tumble dryers, tropical fish tanks, oven, hob, electric shower, electric towel rail, electric underfloor heating etc are all high power users. If none of this account for it then it could be a collection of mid power users running for longer times, high spec gaming PC's, consoles, TV's (especially if each occupant have their own) etc

MWT

Debzzz31 said:

Anyone know what the credit thing means on my meter?

That is just showing you the cost for the current period based on the tariff sent to your meter.

Your meter does not always have the latest tariff information so may not be accurate, but it plays no part in the actual billing.

in_spired2

Hi, I also live in a 3 bed house, 3 adults here.  My usage for almost the same period as you (mine was 31/8 - 16/2) was electric 2050 kwh, and gas 353units (3931 kwh)... your gas in particular looks quite high compared to mine.  I have gas central heating (not gas cooker) timed on from 4.45am to around 9.30pm, with room stat set to about 20.5C.  In freezing weeks we leave it on 24/7 but still at the same temperature.  Out of curiosity, what temperature is your room thermostat set to?.   I can't remember from your posts if you said you had a gas or electric shower (I have neither - shower water comes from the tank supplied by the gas boiler), and how often/long it's used if so.

Do you have good insulation, double glazing, no damp etc etc? My windows are usually closed when the heating is on.  Do you get your boiler serviced regularly?  bleed your radiators if they need it?

Good luck reducing your usage and bill

Petriix

The main thing is to reduce your usage of anything which creates heat. That's ultimately what 'consumed' energy ends up as.

Ideally set the overall heating temperature to be as cold as you can cope with then dress accordingly. We have our main thermostat set to 17 degrees in the day and 13 degrees overnight, then we turn it down by a couple of degrees if we go out or set an 'away mode' if we're going out for more than an hour or so (a smart thermostat helps).

This means the house never really feels particularly warm, and you get used to always wearing a nice hoodie or jumper. Also try really hard to preserve the heat you have by keeping doors and windows shut as much as possible. 

Limit time spent in the shower and the number of baths. Dry washing outside wherever possible. Cook less energy intense food - less use of the grill and oven. Don't leave the TV on for hours if you're not watching it. Don't use any kind of electric heaters at all.

Good luck!