My meter is running slow… I think!

Jello123

Hello

I Lived in a 3 bed semi with an annual electric usage of 2400kWh. This was 2 adults and 3 kids. 

I have moved to a much larger 4 bed detached - a quite old one at that! 

I have been here two years and given semi regular meter readings. One just submitted on 1st July. My usage is apparently 1800 kWh  

I am unsure how this is even possible. 

We don’t really use electric to warm the house up. So my wife makes a point that although the house is larger, we probably using the same units. Ie, same load of washing, same oven usage, etc and although we have 4 bedrooms, we still only really use the 2. One for kids and one for us. 

So she does seem to have a point. But even then, it’s significantly less than my old house (2400 vs 1800). I do have a very very old meter. So I’m thinking maybe this thing is turning slower than normal? I doubt any foul play with the meter as the previous owner was the only owner of this house before us and was > 100 years old!

The average for a 4 bed is quoted at over 4,000 units! 

The reason why I care is because I recently purchased a EV (only came this week so not effecting estimates above). 

I wanted to move to a EV tariff to get the cheap night rates. But you need to switch your meter to a smart meter. 

Now I’m scared that I’ll get cheap 7p electric to charge the car probably about 3500kWh per annum. 

But what if my “house” side sky rockets! 

 I did a quick test by shutting off all the circuits except the EV charger circuit. And gave the car a top up. And the units on my meter seemed to have increased the right amount based on the number of kWh I charged the car by. 

Is 1800 for a family of 5 really doable?

We don’t really worry about electric use on a day to day basis. We have an electric oven. And a hot water tap (no kettle). We use the tumble dryer probably 1-2 per week. But this is all the same as my old house! 

Reed_Richards

Did you bring your fridge and freezer with you?  Maybe you old ones were really inefficient and your new ones are efficient?  Or did you have all LED lighting in both your old and your new house?

Anyway, do the maths.  Would it be cheaper to have a meter that runs at 3/4 of the rate that it is supposed to or a smart meter that lets you charge your EV cheaply overnight?  I strongly suspect the answer would be that the smart meter still works out cheaper.      

powerful_Rogue

Jello123 said:

Hello

I Lived in a 3 bed semi with an annual electric usage of 2400kWh. This was 2 adults and 3 kids. 

I have moved to a much larger 4 bed detached - a quite old one at that! 

I have been here two years and given semi regular meter readings. One just submitted on 1st July. My usage is apparently 1800 kWh  

I am unsure how this is even possible. 

We don’t really use electric to warm the house up. So my wife makes a point that although the house is larger, we probably using the same units. Ie, same load of washing, same oven usage, etc and although we have 4 bedrooms, we still only really use the 2. One for kids and one for us. 

So she does seem to have a point. But even then, it’s significantly less than my old house (2400 vs 1800). I do have a very very old meter. So I’m thinking maybe this thing is turning slower than normal? I doubt any foul play with the meter as the previous owner was the only owner of this house before us and was > 100 years old!

The average for a 4 bed is quoted at over 4,000 units! 

The reason why I care is because I recently purchased a EV (only came this week so not effecting estimates above). 

I wanted to move to a EV tariff to get the cheap night rates. But you need to switch your meter to a smart meter. 

Now I’m scared that I’ll get cheap 7p electric to charge the car probably about 3500kWh per annum. 

But what if my “house” side sky rockets! 

 I did a quick test by shutting off all the circuits except the EV charger circuit. And gave the car a top up. And the units on my meter seemed to have increased the right amount based on the number of kWh I charged the car by. 

Is 1800 for a family of 5 really doable?

We don’t really worry about electric use on a day to day basis. We have an electric oven. And a hot water tap (no kettle). We use the tumble dryer probably 1-2 per week. But this is all the same as my old house! 

Who knows, could be an Amish family living there or a family mining bit coin - Every household is different.

cannugec5

Jello123 said:

Hello

I Lived in a 3 bed semi with an annual electric usage of 2400kWh. This was 2 adults and 3 kids. 

I have moved to a much larger 4 bed detached - a quite old one at that! 

I have been here two years and given semi regular meter readings. One just submitted on 1st July. My usage is apparently 1800 kWh  

I am unsure how this is even possible. 

We don’t really use electric to warm the house up. So my wife makes a point that although the house is larger, we probably using the same units. Ie, same load of washing, same oven usage, etc and although we have 4 bedrooms, we still only really use the 2. One for kids and one for us. 

So she does seem to have a point. But even then, it’s significantly less than my old house (2400 vs 1800). I do have a very very old meter. So I’m thinking maybe this thing is turning slower than normal? I doubt any foul play with the meter as the previous owner was the only owner of this house before us and was > 100 years old!

The average for a 4 bed is quoted at over 4,000 units! 

The reason why I care is because I recently purchased a EV (only came this week so not effecting estimates above). 

I wanted to move to a EV tariff to get the cheap night rates. But you need to switch your meter to a smart meter. 

Now I’m scared that I’ll get cheap 7p electric to charge the car probably about 3500kWh per annum. 

But what if my “house” side sky rockets! 

 I did a quick test by shutting off all the circuits except the EV charger circuit. And gave the car a top up. And the units on my meter seemed to have increased the right amount based on the number of kWh I charged the car by. 

Is 1800 for a family of 5 really doable?

We don’t really worry about electric use on a day to day basis. We have an electric oven. And a hot water tap (no kettle). We use the tumble dryer probably 1-2 per week. But this is all the same as my old house! 

Over what time period since your last “semi regular” reading? 

Petriix

That usage is possible though obviously comparatively low, it's just down to how many high powered items are used and for how long. We used 2,600kWh for the house in 2023 but that included a fair amount of overnight clothes drying. If you air-dry your washing and don't have anything like an electric shower, immersion or electric heater of any kind then under 2,000kWh is possible.

If, however, your meter is under-reading by say 33% then you'd be looking at around an extra £125 on your bill. Charging an EV for 2,500kWh at 7p vs 22p is going to save you £375. 

FreeBear

Petriix said: If, however, your meter is under-reading by say 33% then you'd be looking at around an extra £125 on your bill. Charging an EV for 2,500kWh at 7p vs 22p is going to save you £375. 

Also take a look at the "normal" day rates for the rest of your consumption. Octopus are quoting me 7p/kWh night and 24.39p/kWh day (inclusive of VAT). Depending on how much load you can shift to the night rate and how often the EV gets charged, you might be better of on a regular tariff.

Jello123

cannugec5 said:

Jello123 said:

Hello

I Lived in a 3 bed semi with an annual electric usage of 2400kWh. This was 2 adults and 3 kids. 

I have moved to a much larger 4 bed detached - a quite old one at that! 

I have been here two years and given semi regular meter readings. One just submitted on 1st July. My usage is apparently 1800 kWh  

I am unsure how this is even possible. 

We don’t really use electric to warm the house up. So my wife makes a point that although the house is larger, we probably using the same units. Ie, same load of washing, same oven usage, etc and although we have 4 bedrooms, we still only really use the 2. One for kids and one for us. 

So she does seem to have a point. But even then, it’s significantly less than my old house (2400 vs 1800). I do have a very very old meter. So I’m thinking maybe this thing is turning slower than normal? I doubt any foul play with the meter as the previous owner was the only owner of this house before us and was > 100 years old!

The average for a 4 bed is quoted at over 4,000 units! 

The reason why I care is because I recently purchased a EV (only came this week so not effecting estimates above). 

I wanted to move to a EV tariff to get the cheap night rates. But you need to switch your meter to a smart meter. 

Now I’m scared that I’ll get cheap 7p electric to charge the car probably about 3500kWh per annum. 

But what if my “house” side sky rockets! 

 I did a quick test by shutting off all the circuits except the EV charger circuit. And gave the car a top up. And the units on my meter seemed to have increased the right amount based on the number of kWh I charged the car by. 

Is 1800 for a family of 5 really doable?

We don’t really worry about electric use on a day to day basis. We have an electric oven. And a hot water tap (no kettle). We use the tumble dryer probably 1-2 per week. But this is all the same as my old house! 

Over what time period since your last “semi regular” reading? 

I have sent them pretty much around each price cap. Give or take a few days. 

Jello123

Does my calculations look about right? They weren’t as regally as I thought!


October 2022 - 33815
Feb 2023 - 34645
Sept 2023 - 35830
Feb 2024 - 36590
July 2024 - 37108

I used
3,293 Units in 639 days 

If I average out for 365 days = 1,880 units (very much close to my estimate on my bill) 

1880 x current = 21.69p = £407.98
Standing charge = 60.66p x 365 = £221.40
3,500 Units for EV at 21.69p = £724.15
= total = £1,353.53

This assumes I don’t change anything any carry on a standard tariff. I can fix it for a year too and give me peace of mind for a year. 

Vs 

Switching to EV tariff - say British Gas Electric Driver 1 year fix 

Assuming my meter was slow ans recording 2/3 of my actual readings (test taking meter reading before and after charging the car says it’s not actually slow but I’m not confident still as I can’t believe I only use 1800 a year):

House units will be 2,820 * 26.363p = £743.43
(I doubt I’ll be shifting my household usage much)
Standing charge = 365 * 58.712p = £214.29
EV Units 3,500 * 7.9p = £ 276.50

= £1,234.22

Difference = £119.31

Not a massive saving I guess. But the savings could be more if 1) my meter is not actually reading incorrectly and therefore it’s 1880 units rather than 2820 at 26.363p, and 2) Even without consciously shifting my energy usage, some will no doubt be overnight. 

Based on the above, I think it’s worth the punt at swapping to the Smart Meter. 

What are your thoughts? Does my math look right? 

Thanks!

Jello123

Reed_Richards said:

Did you bring your fridge and freezer with you?  Maybe you old ones were really inefficient and your new ones are efficient?  Or did you have all LED lighting in both your old and your new house?

Anyway, do the maths.  Would it be cheaper to have a meter that runs at 3/4 of the rate that it is supposed to or a smart meter that lets you charge your EV cheaply overnight?  I strongly suspect the answer would be that the smart meter still works out cheaper.      

I just ran some numbers in above post. What do you think?

I assumed it’s running 2/3 of actual use. 

Regarding appliances - you’re right, I didn’t move any over. They are all new. The previous ones though, were about 5 years old. I don’t think the new ones are any more efficient (on paper atleast). 

Both houses have the same type of lighting. Mostly led spot lights. 

Old house DID have underfloor heating in kitchen which was electric. Generally didn’t really use it mush. I’d say we used it maybe 3-4 times a year if that. 

Reed_Richards

You have tried to test your meter and it appeared to run correctly.  So there is no evidence that it is running slowly as such.  I suppose it could stop from time to time then start up again, which could have the same effect.  But I would have thought if that happens it's more likely to happen under a light load than under a heavy load, like when you are charging your car.

Have you checked your roof for solar panels?    

Jello123

Reed_Richards said:

You have tried to test your meter and it appeared to run correctly.  So there is no evidence that it is running slowly as such.  I suppose it could stop from time to time then start up again, which could have the same effect.  But I would have thought if that happens it's more likely to happen under a light load than under a heavy load, like when you are charging your car.

Have you checked your roof for solar panels?    

Lol no solar panels. I wish I did! 

I didn’t think about the stop / start possible effect. I’m guessing that’s a long shot! 

I will do another longer load test for a bit more piece of mind too.