Gas boiler is using 2.4Kwh electricity when being used-is that normal?

midimuso

Hi,

I am hoping somebody looking in has some knowledge on this matter.

To cut a long story short: Should a combi gas condensing boiler (Worcester, top of the range when installed in 2007 and works wirelessly with Hive etc, tip-top condition, maintained  and serviced by British Gas and repaired when necessary by BG under 'Homeserve') be using 2.4Kwh of electricity? Gas usage is at around 2Kwh, which is OK as far as I can see.
The electricity usage seems off the scale, given that it should only be utilising minimal electricity?
Model unknown, there's nothing around to identify what it was and I've long forgotten the details.

All the above confirmed by SmartMeter and the readings from the supply meters, too.

Our electricity bills have always been more than the 'average' for our size home, but we put that down to us turning a blind eye to causal consumption EG too many showers, too many computers on, too many TV hours etc . Until recently, we could afford the electricity, but as with everyone else, it is out of control.
However, it is clear that the Gas Combi boiler is using much more electric than any of the other items in the household.

Is that to be expected and is that correct and is there anything that can be done other than having a new, more efficient, boiler installed?

Thank you for your time and any info you can proffer.

Midi.

QrizB

2.4kWh per day is a constant drain of 100W, which doesn't sound unreasonable for a gas boiler.

Or do you mean it draws 2.4kW when running? That is definitely more than it should and I can't easily think of any way for a properly-functioning gas boiler to use that much power.

Does your circulating pump get unbearably hot?

Ultrasonic

2.4 kWh of electricity over what time period? How can you be sure this is solely due to the boiler?

If the boiler is being used for central heating then there will be some electricity use from the water pump.

Olinda99

boilers and pumps use about 100 - 150 watts when on and pumping water around the radiators 

midimuso

To clarify, it uses/draws 2.4 KWh when running/heating.
So, if on for 1 hour (say) that is 2.4 units of electricity, which is currently at approx 32p inc vat per unit. Therefore per hour, for electricity alone it is costing around 76p an hour (plus the gas of course!).
We use a Smartmeter and compare before/after switch on, to see how much it uses.

Ultrasonic

midimuso said:

To clarify, it uses/draws 2.4 KWh when running/heating.
So, if on for 1 hour (say) that is 2.4 units of electricity, which is currently at approx 32p inc vat per unit. Therefore per hour, for electricity alone it is costing around 76p an hour (plus the gas of course!).
We use a Smartmeter and compare before/after switch on, to see how much it uses.

You mean 2.4 kW not 2.4 kWh then. The former is the power (energy used per unit time) and the later is the total energy used over a period of time.

There is no way a gas boiler should be using 2.4 kW when on.

Ultrasonic

When was your boiler last serviced?

Ectophile

There is something seriously wrong if a gas boiler uses 2.4kW of electricity.  I would expect it to have blown a fuse, tripped a breaker, or else something would have burned out by now.

midimuso

Thank you everyone, for all your time, help and advice.
2.4kw is the usage, yes.
No fuses blown, no overheating in the boiler, no problems at all really and no breakdown etc, it was last serviced September 2021.
I think we need to call BG out as your common response is that this is not right and I am grateful for your inputs and superior technical knowledge. I truly appreciate it.
In the meantime, we’ll use it sparingly!

Benny2020

Does the electricity spike when the boiler kicks in?
How does your boiler only use 2 kw of gas?
Do you in fact have an electric boiler?

Ultrasonic

If you're absolutely certain it's using 2.4 kW of electricity I would personally switch the boiler off and not use it at all on safety/fire risk grounds.