Electricity use whilst away

CanalBoatTime

I’m currently looking at installing solar, which is making me take more notice of my usage!  According to my Octopus app, whilst we were away in July/August, we clocked up a fairly consistent 5-5.5kWh per day.  This seems a lot (or does it?).  The fridge/freezer (which is old and noisy) was on, the security alarm, motion sensor lights outside (x3), but nothing else (or I’d there something big I’m forgetting?) - would these amount to 5+kWh over 24 hours?

born_again

Any stuff on standby?
How's the water heated, so maybe water tank being heated?

Swipe

That is quite high for an empty house. I consistently only use 3kWh a day when my heating is off and I'm at home all day and that includes the UV pond pump running 24/7 + separate fridge and freezer.

Netexporter

CanalBoatTime said:

I’m currently looking at installing solar, which is making me take more notice of my usage!  According to my Octopus app, whilst we were away in July/August, we clocked up a fairly consistent 5-5.5kWh per day.  This seems a lot (or does it?).  The fridge/freezer (which is old and noisy) was on, the security alarm, motion sensor lights outside (x3), but nothing else (or I’d there something big I’m forgetting?) - would these amount to 5+kWh over 24 hours?

The fridge/freezer will be the most likely culprit. Get a new one (not American style - they are energy gobblers from new), it will pay for itself in a few years from savings in electricity.

Gerry1

Read the meter, unplug the fridge/freezer for a couple of hours the read the meter again.  Do this for several days.

The fridge freezer is the likely culprit but you'll be amazed by the number of things on standby if you check everything in the house.

EssexHebridean

Also  - the motion sensitive lights, I take it those have low energy bulbs in? they tend to be quite bright, so if they are equipped with energy guzzling lamps, they might be using more than you realise. 

I suppose the other relevant question is - what is your average daily use when you are at home?

Your FF may well be the culprit but you may as well find out for sure before you commit to replacing it! 

takemymoney

I have one question where do you want to install the solars and does your surroundings have dust, if it has a lot of dust then your sollar will have low efficiency.

sisisimoore

To be honest, I am constantly using around that amount. My smart reader is always at a minimum of 300w being used constantly. 

Netexporter

takemymoney said:

I have one question where do you want to install the solars and does your surroundings have dust, if it has a lot of dust then your sollar will have low efficiency.

And rain washes dust off. What evidence have you got that the millions of solar installations are being severely compromised by dust?

matelodave

Netexporter said:

takemymoney said:

I have one question where do you want to install the solars and does your surroundings have dust, if it has a lot of dust then your sollar will have low efficiency.

And rain washes dust off. What evidence have you got that the millions of solar installations are being severely compromised by dust?

he probably read it somewhere 

Alnat1

Gerry1 said:

Read the meter, unplug the fridge/freezer for a couple of hours the read the meter again.  Do this for several days.

The fridge freezer is the likely culprit but you'll be amazed by the number of things on standby if you check everything in the house.

Rather than unplugging, it might be good to get an energy monitor. The usual one mentioned on these forums is a Tapo P110. You plug it in the wall and plug your appliance into it and it will monitor energy use. Stick that fridge freezer on it for  couple of days and you'll have a much better idea of how much it's using. You can also test other appliances, especially those left on standby, Sky and other TV boxes can be using more than you'd expect. Once everything has been monitored, the Tapo is a smart timer and can be used around the house where it's needed, dead handy for the Christmas lights.

Those outdoor lights could use a fair bit if they aren't LEDs. I know cats/foxes/hedgehogs set ours off multiple times a night, plus our dog going out several times each evening to pee. The old type bulbs are often 300-500w and you can replace with 30w LEDs.