Why do you think your energy bill is higher than the national average?

[Deleted User]

macman said:

[Deleted User] said:

Steve_79_P said:

Until 2 years ago we had an old inefficient boiler too, replacing this cut our gas from 18000kwh to 10000kwh

Does the boiler itself make that much difference?  Or is it getting the central heating set up and balanced? Or was it actually a usage thing?

I ask because I have a Potterton Suprima from the very early 90s (non-condensing, under 80% efficient when new) and can't decide whether it's actually worth replacing it or whether I could get most of the benefit from just tweaking what I already have.

If under 80% efficient when new, a new system with condensing boiler, TRV's, weather compensation and a decent programmer etc might save you as much as 20%. Then take your annual gas cost , the cost of replacement/upgrade and calculate how any years to achieve payback.
But for most users, with a boiler of that vintage, the decision is made for them when it's no longer possible to source spares for it. After 30 years, it doesn't owe you anything.
For me, the biggest change I noticed 5 years ago when I replaced an old non-condensing combi was the noise: the new one is near silent.

That's pretty much what I have been waiting for - just wondering whether it's worth jumping before pushed.  I've got TRVs and a smart thermostat, so that side is covered, but a previous owner replaced (quite badly) some of the radiators so I have a suspicion that the setup of the system is sub-optimal at best.

I'll have to do some maths as you suggest.

Coffeekup

[Deleted User] said:

Steve_79_P said:

Until 2 years ago we had an old inefficient boiler too, replacing this cut our gas from 18000kwh to 10000kwh

Does the boiler itself make that much difference?  Or is it getting the central heating set up and balanced? Or was it actually a usage thing?

I ask because I have a Potterton Suprima from the very early 90s (non-condensing, under 80% efficient when new) and can't decide whether it's actually worth replacing it or whether I could get most of the benefit from just tweaking what I already have.

Almost 5 years ago I changed my 20+ year old biasi (something) boiler to an ideal Imini 21kw condensing boiler. The biasi never had a pilot light and wasn't condensing, the only reason I changed it was for 4-5 winter's on the trot there was different issues with it and it was taking people who repaired it 10 day's+ to get new parts for it.

It made zero difference to my annual gas consumption, it did however save around 220-250 kWh's of electricity per year.
The biggest 2 things that have cut back on my gas consumption since I've been here (18 years) was loft insulation and turning off the thermostat and flicking in the heating when I felt cold, Instead of it heating the house when I was out or in bed (downside of this is you have to remember to turn it off).

Coffeekup

Sea_Shell said:

Well we must be doing something "right", as we do none of those things and are below average users. 😇

Same here..1,200 kWh's of electricity and 3,100 units of gas last 12 month's, aiming to shave off another 200 units of electricity in the coming year with a more efficient TV I've had for 3 weeks.

BUFF

Deleted_User said:

Steve_79_P said:

Until 2 years ago we had an old inefficient boiler too, replacing this cut our gas from 18000kwh to 10000kwh

Does the boiler itself make that much difference?  Or is it getting the central heating set up and balanced? Or was it actually a usage thing?

I ask because I have a Potterton Suprima from the very early 90s (non-condensing, under 80% efficient when new) and can't decide whether it's actually worth replacing it or whether I could get most of the benefit from just tweaking what I already have.

In my case, new boiler + new controls + changing behaviour enabled by increased control - I actually saved ~50% (from over 16.000kWh to under 8,000).

YBR

We've larger than average bills because
(1) we have a larger than average house
(2) it's an unusual shape with lots of external wall and large windows
(3) We have an Electric car.
(4) There's usually someone at home during the day.

There are a couple more things - 
I think the insulation in the flat roof, loft and between the house and the garage could be better, and the heating/hot water programmer is very limited.

Spoonie_Turtle

None of the above, and no faulty meter.

4 adults, 3-bedroom north facing semi, EPC rating D, all-electric ( = expensive!), middle of England but on a hill surrounded by lower fields so more exposed than most of the rest of the village.
No smart gadgets, no frivolous appliance use, all eat the same evening meal, etc.
We do have an electric shower which adds up, and a base load we must surely be able to reduce - prime suspects are very old fridge and freezers.  Appliances are all several years old at least, and the only one we acquired new (15-20 years ago) was the fridge.
No hairdryer / straighteners / etc., no baths, no smart gadgets always on standby, no power guzzling entertainment systems / consoles, etc.
We'd love to be toasty warm but aren't, heating set to kick in at 18℃ because any colder and it makes two of us more unwell.
I suspect all my hot water bottle use may add up over the year, having to nearly boil a full kettle each time, sometimes multiple times a day and it's not confined to winter months either.  I had to use a small one (okay, half a kettle) a few nights in August already!

On the bright side, our total use is 72% of the EPC estimate for space and water heating alone, and 58% of the estimated primary usage - the EPC having been done once the heat pump was fitted.  I have no idea how reliable their energy estimates are but even if we're using say 10% less than would be really expected, we would not be doing too terribly.

Apodemus

Mstty said:

Bit naff the poll really as so many things missing and very specific leading options.

I despair with this poll.

Yes, I'm still trying to work out whether it is tongue-in-cheek, a poor attempt at humour, trolling or actually serious?

mar7t1n

We always wash our hands using the hot tap, despite it not actually getting hot before we're finished

Thanks for your input. The poll is intend to help people think, and of course cannot put every observation in. Feel free to add your own. Whenever mentioned on the news they have people saying we just won't be able to afford to use a tumble dryer, or maybe we should think about turning the heating down a bit - it's been a hot summer - why are these things even on right now! Previous generations lived long lives in cold houses, and I recall vividly as a kid someone saying - what for would you be needing hot water!! It's not the hot that kills the germs it's the soap.

Smart Meters have obviously completely failed to make people see the waste. Or have conversely shown people it didn't cost that much after all, until recent times of course. 

The moral behind my post is to help people see if there's anything they can not do which saves a few units a week. The cost of energy is not going down any time soon, inflation may see it fall back but I doubt the unit rate will drop.

So much for modern progress - I think we're all back where we started 50 years+ ago.

t0rt0ise

The only thing on your list that I've needed to change recently (as in this year) is using the hot tap to wash hands. It's been fine all summer using the cold tap but as it's getting colder the water is now getting very cold and I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it up all winter.

Ultrasonic

t0rt0ise said:

The only thing on your list that I've needed to change recently (as in this year) is using the hot tap to wash hands. It's been fine all summer using the cold tap but as it's getting colder the water is now getting very cold and I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it up all winter.

If it helps encourage you I'll mention I've not used hot water to wash my hand for as long as I can remember, without this being any kind of hardship.