Why is my energy usage so high when I'm not at home?

quartzz

after it broke and I looked for alternatives, I realised a cr**py triton power shower was using about 30-40p every single time I used it for about 10 minutes. the shower being approx 10kw (3x the amount a kettle uses), and a kettle is on for 2-3 minutes, whereby the shower was being used for 10 minutes at a time (because it produced almost no hot water at any pressure)

Qyburn

I don't think a shower of that sort is going to contribute to consumption when the OP isn't at home.

matelodave

Things like Sky boxes, X-box's etc can also add up. As said above, use your smart meter to determine what you are using and when so you can turn off stuff that's lurking in the background.

If you use something like the Bright app (https://glowmarkt.com/bright) you can look at your consumption history in 30minute chunks going back quite a long way (in my case back to November 9th 2020). Other apps are available but I use Bright.
N3rgy ( https://www.n3rgy.com/consumer/ ) is another that allows you to download historical data to a spreadsheet if you really want to get into the weeds

Looking at historical data allows you to see if there are any anomalies or major variations in your consumption patterns which will allow you to focus on what was happening - perhaps not as far back as four years but certainly a month or two.

quartzz

Qyburn said:

I don't think a shower of that sort is going to contribute to consumption when the OP isn't at home.

correct. it could be considered useful information in some circumstances though. "damn, I left the xxxxx on, and that uses a lot of power"

pete-20-11

Have you checked the loft for a secret lodger?

Or if terraced houses, a gap in the wall between the houses? 😬

brianposter

Illuminated doorbell ?

Grumpy_chap

The OP has been online but not commented, I wonder whether @Ron_Weasley is aware their previous comments are now a new thread.