electric usage

gill5blue

Hi, is there a post on here that tells you how much electricity household items use?
I've been trying to reduce my electric usage and wondered how to find out as accurately as I can how much electric usage I use.
I have also bought 2 remote control plugs to turn off things like microwave etc.
Gill5blue

Spies

You need something like https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08X4M7TX2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_dl_N38FTT6QDYY4WEEZ5KV9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

BTW microwave uses next to nothing when it's not actively in use

victor2

gill5blue said:

Hi, is there a post on here that tells you how much electricity household items use?
I've been trying to reduce my electric usage and wondered how to find out as accurately as I can how much electric usage I use.
I have also bought 2 remote control plugs to turn off things like microwave etc.
Gill5blue

Worth buying a plug-in mains monitor. Less than £20 on Amazon. Those can tell you how much electricity a device plugged into them has used over a period of time.
You might find your remote switch may not save you anything worthwhile on your microwave. The microwave probably only uses a tiny bit of electricity on standby, the switch itself will also use a tiny bit so the saving could be even tinier!
Also, make sure the switch is rated high enough to handle the load taken by the microwave in use.

victor2

Just an example of the monitor, not particularly recommending this one...
Deal: Power Meter Plug Energy Monitor Watt Meter Backlight LCD Display Electricity Usage Monitor Consumption Analyzer Voltage Amps Wattage KWH Outlet Power Meter Socket, Updated Version 180° Viewing Angle https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085S7Q1T4/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_dl_BD5BSDX0F7QHY5RJF0WD

QrizB

victor2 said:

Just an example of the monitor, not particularly recommending this one...
Deal: Power Meter Plug Energy Monitor Watt Meter Backlight LCD Display Electricity Usage Monitor Consumption Analyzer Voltage Amps Wattage KWH Outlet Power Meter Socket, Updated Version 180° Viewing Angle https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085S7Q1T4

Also available from other tat bazaars, eg.:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374027690901
Or you can get a smart plug with similar functions built-in, eg. this one that several MSE'ers recommend:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Tapo-Monitoring-Required-P110/dp/B097YBXHTW

pochase

The TP-Link above is a good one. I purchased 3 of them when they were on special for £10. that is only £2 more expensive than remote plugs at best price.

One thing to consider is that there seem to be privacy issues. They seem to phone home to China, so nothing for you if you are concerned about it.

Otherwise ideal if you need remote plugs also, when you don't need them as energy monitors any longer.

gill5blue

Hi All,
thank you for your replies, and recommendations.
Is there a calculation I can do as well? as an example I have a speaker on 24hours a day and on the label is says its consumption is 28 watts-upon looking up(google) the speaker -it uses .45watts standby mode.so I calculated 24hours a day x0.45watts x £0.30 cost per hour = £0.10 per month to run(standby only)
Would my calculation be correct?
gill5blue

pochase

The 10p standby cost per months is correct. You got the calculation right 0.45*24*30/1000=0.324KWh

victor2

gill5blue said:

Hi All,
thank you for your replies, and recommendations.
Is there a calculation I can do as well? as an example I have a speaker on 24hours a day and on the label is says its consumption is 28 watts-upon looking up(google) the speaker -it uses .45watts standby mode.so I calculated 24hours a day x0.45watts x £0.30 cost per hour = £0.10 per month to run(standby only)
Would my calculation be correct?
gill5blue

That's roughly equivalent to an extra 4 seconds per day in a typical (8.5KW) electric shower. Kind of puts things into perspective.

gill5blue

hi All,
Update....
I have been using the tapo plugs for 5 weeks and reduced my usage by 65 units(£19.50), comparing to 2021.
I know it is not exact science but usage is down, feedback is great and they help you to be mindful.
by all reports my tv left on standby for 5 years(it actually doesn't have an off button) uses next to no electricity, but my smart meter disagrees.
gill5blue

Norman_Castle

gill5blue said:

Is there a calculation I can do as well? as an example I have a speaker on 24hours a day and on the label is says its consumption is 28 watts-upon looking up(google) the speaker -it uses .45watts standby mode.so I calculated 24hours a day x0.45watts x £0.30 cost per hour = £0.10 per month to run(standby only)

The ratings on labels are maximums provided to prevent socket overloading. Its unlikely your speaker uses 28w when on. You'd need to measure it with a plug in monitor to know what it actually uses. I bought a plug in monitor about 15 years ago for about £12, its paid for itself many times over.

https://www.sust-it.net/energy-calculator.php