Excessive Electricity Quotes/bills

AFoster90

Ultrasonic said:

I'm afraid that you have the most expensive form of heating there is  . Traditional night storage heaters with an Economy 7 supply are the better option from a financial perspective in an all-electric home. I know you're not going to want to rush out to replace all your radiators but I'm saying this to put your high bills in context. The majority who have lower bills will have cheaper heating options.

These heaters were in the property when we bought it, but surely as they only come on when required, this would be quite cheap anyway? During the spring to autumn months, there is only 1 switched on, during the winter, 4 are on, but set to 18 degrees only, heating as and when required. No central 'stat in the house.

AFoster90

Ectophile said:

Heating a house using only electricity can be extremely expensive, if you use the wrong sort of heating.

You don't say why you think the bill is in error.  Has someone misread the meter?  Do you think that the meter is reading incorrectly, and have you done anything to check that?

Apologies, I believe the meter must be reading fast, I have asked SSE to conduct a meter test, but they have never got back to me. I raised this with the Ombudsman and I will contact SSE directly to get this arranged. It was advised.

I have no idea how to check this myself, if at all possible? 

Ultrasonic

AFoster90 said:

Ultrasonic said:

I'm afraid that you have the most expensive form of heating there is  . Traditional night storage heaters with an Economy 7 supply are the better option from a financial perspective in an all-electric home. I know you're not going to want to rush out to replace all your radiators but I'm saying this to put your high bills in context. The majority who have lower bills will have cheaper heating options.

These heaters were in the property when we bought it, but surely as they only come on when required, this would be quite cheap anyway? During the spring to autumn months, there is only 1 switched on, during the winter, 4 are on, but set to 18 degrees only, heating as and when required. No central 'stat in the house.

My gas heated radiators are only on when required too. The issue is how much energy is used when the heating is active.

Ultrasonic

AFoster90 said:

I have no idea how to check this myself, if at all possible? 

The most basic sanity check is to switch the power off for your whole property and see if the meter still counts up. 

Alnat1

What do you mean by 'the heating is on when required'? Do you mean you switch the heaters on when you come home from work and off again once the room is warm enough,  or are they on constantly 24/7 whenever the temperature in the room is below 18C?

The_Fat_Controller

Do you have an In Home Display connected to a Smart Meter ?

If so, turn everything off in your home, set the IHD to display kW (not ££.pp) and turn on an appliance for which you have read the rating plate, such as a kettle or radiator and see if the the energy use tallies.

AFoster90

Alnat1 said:

What do you mean by 'the heating is on when required'? Do you mean you switch the heaters on when you come home from work and off again once the room is warm enough,  or are they on constantly 24/7 whenever the temperature in the room is below 18C?

The latter. The heaters that are on, are always on. Only actively heating when the room is below 18C though. Does this make sense?

AFoster90

The_Fat_Controller said:

Do you have an In Home Display connected to a Smart Meter ?

If so, turn everything off in your home, set the IHD to display kW (not ££.pp) and turn on an appliance for which you have read the rating plate, such as a kettle or radiator and see if the the energy use tallies.

Unfortunately we cannot get a smart meter for Electricity only. I have asked multiple times. 

Alnat1

Then that is where your excessive electricity use is going. You're heating your house 24/7, whether you're home or not, also overnight when you're tucked up cosy under the duvet.

Don't the heaters have timers at all?

Alnat1

Maybe if no timers, you could set the thermostat to 12C on them and then turn it up when you get home. Don't forget to turn them back down 30 mins before you go to bed.