I don't understand how we are consuming so much energy

blue_hector

I am astounded by our energy consumption. We seem to be averaging around 11,000 kwh per year in our home. I am told that this is about twice the average for a 'large' home in the UK -- at least based on some internet googling. But I don't know how to confirm the validity of this statement.

Three years ago we moved into a 2,500 sqft home with 4 bedrooms. We are a family of a working mum+dad and 2 kids (a toddler and a primary school aged child). Due to younger child one of us is often home during the day. However, we don't have anything crazy, e.g. it's not like we mining for bitcoins on a farm of computers, or have a heated pool, etc.

I honestly cannot wrap my head round it. I would love to have some help from other users on:

1) Is this consumption figure surprising? Would others care to share how much they consume? Particularly if they live in similarly sized homes with similar family makeup. Would be great for me to get a few data points to understand how out of whack we are?
2) Does it sound wrong? Is it possible that a meter could be 'running fast'? Are there some tests / diagnostics I could do to find out?
3) Is there any type of 'expert' who could help? Our energy company have no desire in helping us.

Thanks!

Krakkkers

You haven't mention if this is electricity or if you have gas heating.
I

GrubbyGirl_2

Are you referring to Gas or electricity?

Last year I used Gas 11,368 kwh and Electricity 2,122 kwh.  I live in a 3 bed home and as there is just me I only heat 1 of the 3 bedrooms and I don't heat one of my reception rooms as I don't use it.  Sounds like yours is fine

blue_hector

Oh dear. Sorry that I forgot to mention that all of the above is for electricity only. (Gas is paid and accounted for separately)

Netexporter

Is that consumption based on actual meter readings or estimates?

blue_hector

Netexporter said:

Is that consumption based on actual meter readings or estimates?

These electricity readings are based on actual readings from my electricity meter. I read them maybe once a quarter and send them off to our supplier.

Netexporter

Have you been reading it correctly? Don't include the decimals, just the whole number of kWh.

Scot_39

blue_hector said:

I am astounded by our energy consumption. We seem to be averaging around 11,000 kwh per year in our home. I am told that this is about twice the average for a 'large' home in the UK -- at least based on some internet googling. But I don't know how to confirm the validity of this statement.

Three years ago we moved into a 2,500 sqft home with 4 bedrooms. We are a family of a working mum+dad and 2 kids (a toddler and a primary school aged child). Due to younger child one of us is often home during the day. However, we don't have anything crazy, e.g. it's not like we mining for bitcoins on a farm of computers, or have a heated pool, etc.

I honestly cannot wrap my head round it. I would love to have some help from other users on:

1) Is this consumption figure surprising? Would others care to share how much they consume? Particularly if they live in similarly sized homes with similar family makeup. Would be great for me to get a few data points to understand how out of whack we are?
2) Does it sound wrong? Is it possible that a meter could be 'running fast'? Are there some tests / diagnostics I could do to find out?
3) Is there any type of 'expert' who could help? Our energy company have no desire in helping us.

Thanks!

The Ofgem TDCV for a medium property - which iirc they describe as for a 2-3 bed house for 2-3 people has just been lowered to 11500kWh gas and 2700kWh electric.

Gas is a little less efficient for cooking and heating - if allow 20% for losses  that reduces 11500kWh to 9200kWh , taking total to 11900kWh pa if all electric in theory.

The Ofgem medium TDCV for all electric medium however is only 3900kWh - but that's more likely for 2 in a 2 bed flat.


So no 11000kWh for a 4 bed 4 person home with conventional heating (not high COP air pump tech) really isn't abnormal.

blue_hector

Netexporter said:

Have you been reading it correctly? Don't include the decimals, just the whole number of kWh.

Yeah, pretty sure I have. First time we moved with the check-in agent they showed us how. I ignore anything after the decimal.

Krakkkers

I also have a similar sized 4 bedroom house and my electricity consumption from the grid is around 950 kwh but i have solar panels and am a tightwad.
Seriously i think your leccy consumption is around 3 to 4 times normal.
Do you heat water by immersion or gas?
Are you using any form of electric heating that is perhaps hidden like towel rails or underfloor.
Is it gas central heating? or do you have a heat pump?

blue_hector

Scot_39 said:

blue_hector said:

I am astounded by our energy consumption. We seem to be averaging around 11,000 kwh per year in our home. I am told that this is about twice the average for a 'large' home in the UK -- at least based on some internet googling. But I don't know how to confirm the validity of this statement.

Three years ago we moved into a 2,500 sqft home with 4 bedrooms. We are a family of a working mum+dad and 2 kids (a toddler and a primary school aged child). Due to younger child one of us is often home during the day. However, we don't have anything crazy, e.g. it's not like we mining for bitcoins on a farm of computers, or have a heated pool, etc.

I honestly cannot wrap my head round it. I would love to have some help from other users on:

1) Is this consumption figure surprising? Would others care to share how much they consume? Particularly if they live in similarly sized homes with similar family makeup. Would be great for me to get a few data points to understand how out of whack we are?
2) Does it sound wrong? Is it possible that a meter could be 'running fast'? Are there some tests / diagnostics I could do to find out?
3) Is there any type of 'expert' who could help? Our energy company have no desire in helping us.

Thanks!

The Ofgem TDCV for a medium property - which iirc they describe as for a 2-3 bed house for 2-3 people has just been lowered to 11500kWh gas and 2700kWh electric.

Gas is a little less efficient for cooking and heating - if allow 20% for losses  that reduces 11500kWh to 9200kWh , taking total to 11900kWh pa if all electric in theory.

The Ofgem medium TDCV for all electric medium however is only 3900kWh - but that's more likely for 2 in a 2 bed flat.


So no 11000kWh for a 4 bed 4 person home with conventional heating (not high COP air pump tech) really isn't abnormal.

Thanks for this reply. As an earlier user pointed out, I stupidly forgot to mention in my original post whether I meant gas/electric :-( Sorry. The number I quoted (11000 kwh per annum) was for electricity only. Gas is handled separately.

Apologies for my ignorance, when you say "11900kWh pa if all electric in theory" -- does that mean a house that does not consume any gas at all? If so, then I think you might have given me an answers. Our gas bills are tiny and our heating is all from underfloor heating so maybe this is the reason?