Winter energy use is over? How did you do?

BUFF

I haven't totted it up exactly yet but a quick glance looks like a substantial reduction, perhaps of the order of 30-40%, on gas (mainly used for heating - it has been a notably mild winter in the West of  Scotland).
Electricity is up but pretty much all due to the use of a dehumidifier that I bought & started using in late Autumn.

yippeekiay

Quite surprised how much difference my use has been since last year. I was being careful but I wasn't deliberately going cold so this winter MUST have been milder, or I simply didn't feel the cold as much.

Year to March 2022 I used 2414 Kw/h of electricity

Year to March 2023 I've only used 1544 Kw/h.

That's quite a big drop but I'm going to guess I probably paid more for the latter, although I'm not going to check that as I'm in a good mood currently

EDIT:- And I too have been using a dehumidifier daily so quite pleased it hasn't used too much to be noticeable.

BUFF

yippeekiay said:

Quite surprised how much difference my use has been since last year. I was being careful but I wasn't deliberately going cold so this winter MUST have been milder, or I simply didn't feel the cold as much.

Year to March 2022 I used 2414 Kw/h of electricity

Year to March 2023 I've only used 1544 Kw/h.

That's quite a big drop but I'm going to guess I probably paid more for the latter, although I'm not going to check that as I'm in a good mood currently

EDIT:- And I too have been using a dehumidifier daily so quite pleased it hasn't used too much to be noticeable.

My dehumidifier uses ~1kWh per day the way that I run it. Because I am/was a low user to start with (~1100kWh p.a. or 3kWh per day) that 1kWh extra shows up.

mmmmikey

BUFF said:

yippeekiay said:

Quite surprised how much difference my use has been since last year. I was being careful but I wasn't deliberately going cold so this winter MUST have been milder, or I simply didn't feel the cold as much.

Year to March 2022 I used 2414 Kw/h of electricity

Year to March 2023 I've only used 1544 Kw/h.

That's quite a big drop but I'm going to guess I probably paid more for the latter, although I'm not going to check that as I'm in a good mood currently

EDIT:- And I too have been using a dehumidifier daily so quite pleased it hasn't used too much to be noticeable.

My dehumidifier uses ~1kWh per day the way that I run it. Because I am/was a low user to start with (~1100kWh p.a. or 3kWh per day) that 1kWh extra shows up.

Hi @BUFF a bit off topic but can I ask what your reason was for buying the dehumidifier and are you happy with it? Was is a good investment? Thanks

BUFF

mmmmikey said:

BUFF said:

yippeekiay said:

Quite surprised how much difference my use has been since last year. I was being careful but I wasn't deliberately going cold so this winter MUST have been milder, or I simply didn't feel the cold as much.

Year to March 2022 I used 2414 Kw/h of electricity

Year to March 2023 I've only used 1544 Kw/h.

That's quite a big drop but I'm going to guess I probably paid more for the latter, although I'm not going to check that as I'm in a good mood currently

EDIT:- And I too have been using a dehumidifier daily so quite pleased it hasn't used too much to be noticeable.

My dehumidifier uses ~1kWh per day the way that I run it. Because I am/was a low user to start with (~1100kWh p.a. or 3kWh per day) that 1kWh extra shows up.

Hi @BUFF a bit off topic but can I ask what your reason was for buying the dehumidifier and are you happy with it? Was is a good investment? Thanks

condensation.
I run a very low temp (by comparison to most) through the winter & it's an Edwardian terrace in Glasgow (so reasonably North) with single-glazed windows to the front (conservation area). As I have draught-proofed the sashes etc. over the years the condensation on those panes got noticeably worse.

Atm I am kind of on the fence. It has made a difference but obviously at a cost (buying & running).
I am hoping to DIY secondary glaze which hopefully will solve the issue & I can then resell the dehumidifier.

Nelliegrace

I think the bills are meant to confuse people, there are adjustments most months even though we have a not-so-smart meter and send the readings every month.

Gas and electricity, VAT and standing charges on the cheapest tariff from B Gas.
(Gas central heating & hot water, no other heating.)

October.       £82 
November  £140 (Central heating 14°C in the day, 7°C at night, from 2nd November.)
December  £227
January      £206
February     £180
March.        £144

Winter half year, £979.

That was up from £569 the previous year, though we stopped using the tumble drier, used the oven and washing machine less, and had very quick showers and no baths. 

£200 + extra £300 one-off payment, Pensioners’ Winter Fuel Payment
£400 Energy Bills Support Scheme

The thermostat says the house has been warm enough without the heating on for nearly a week. 
We are still well wrapped up in layers of warm clothing. Temperatures forecast from the Met Office for the next week are -1°C to 11°C.

I agree with those who think the seasons fit with solstice and equinox rather than the calendar, but the months are daft anyway since the start of the year was moved from March to January, and September, the seventh month, became the ninth month.
An April Fool from the garden this morning. DH said it was snowing. It was blossom falling. 

littleteapot

I was quite surprised by the cost this march, which has been the coldest month on average this winter. Only £174 based on monthly meter readings. Electic only 2 bed terrace with 2 adults, a toddler, and an infant. EDF eastern region E7 with modern NSH heating.

littleteapot

actually I remember december was the coldest, but we were abroad for most of that so heating was on frost protection only.

dealyboy

Hi @BUFF ...

BUFF said:

mmmmikey said:

BUFF said:

yippeekiay said:

Quite surprised how much difference my use has been since last year. I was being careful but I wasn't deliberately going cold so this winter MUST have been milder, or I simply didn't feel the cold as much.

Year to March 2022 I used 2414 Kw/h of electricity

Year to March 2023 I've only used 1544 Kw/h.

That's quite a big drop but I'm going to guess I probably paid more for the latter, although I'm not going to check that as I'm in a good mood currently

EDIT:- And I too have been using a dehumidifier daily so quite pleased it hasn't used too much to be noticeable.

My dehumidifier uses ~1kWh per day the way that I run it. Because I am/was a low user to start with (~1100kWh p.a. or 3kWh per day) that 1kWh extra shows up.

Hi @BUFF a bit off topic but can I ask what your reason was for buying the dehumidifier and are you happy with it? Was is a good investment? Thanks

condensation.
I run a very low temp (by comparison to most) through the winter & it's an Edwardian terrace in Glasgow (so reasonably North) with single-glazed windows to the front (conservation area). As I have draught-proofed the sashes etc. over the years the condensation on those panes got noticeably worse.

Atm I am kind of on the fence. It has made a difference but obviously at a cost (buying & running).
I am hoping to DIY secondary glaze which hopefully will solve the issue & I can then resell the dehumidifier.

I think you have done well, Glasgow can be dreich, although I love it (or half of it).

... that's low usage for a dehumidifier ... I have a low energy one 180W condenser type that typically takes out about a litre overnight ... it doesn't run well below 10C and its effect is localised ... it wants the heating to be on.

I still get condensation and have double glazed windows in a small park home in Hertfordshire, but I will be adjusting my heating/dehumidifier use next winter (God willing) i.e. increasing.

With persistent condensation of course comes the potential for mould, which nobody wants, in unexpected and unwelcome areas too.

mumf

We are all electrIf. However,our main heating - two rooms downstairs - is wood burning. For free. Multifuel stoves though,so smokeless coal used too. Long and short,our electricity cost an average of £145 per month.Along with coal, total cost for fuel works out about  £200 per month. That is without the £67 government gig. So not bad. We have wall mounted radiators in each room,which are used when needed. Our favourite is infra red panels at the side of each of our armchairs. 400 w and excellent. That’s when the burners are not lit. As for the rest of it,washing machine,drier etc. we use them!