Suspected energy theft

gurudave
gurudave Posts: 11 Forumite
10 Posts
I have a device which wraps around mains cables in the distribution box and shows power usage - it shows there to be a continuous 50W drain when all switches are off except for the circuit marked 'kitchen'. In the kitchen all circuit breakers are off (hob, oven, central heating boiler) and all plugged-in devices are switched off. There is nothing that should be consuming any power.

The landlord has installed a sump pump (yes, it's a basement flat), and I know that sump pumps sometimes come with battery backup - my suspicion is that it is this that is using the 50W. There is nothing in my contract which says that I am responsible for paying for this, and I calculate that over the eight years I have lived here that comes to over £2000.

Does anyone out there have any advice on what I could/should do, both from a moral point of view and from a financial one. Many thanks for any help.
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Comments

  • Stubod
    Stubod Posts: 2,545 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ..on what grounds would you not be responsible for this??
    .."It's everybody's fault but mine...."
  • gurudave
    gurudave Posts: 11 Forumite
    10 Posts
    Stubod said:
    ..on what grounds would you not be responsible for this??
    I'll bounce that back at you... on what grounds would I be responsible for it?

    As I said, there's nothing in the tenancy agreement which mentions this. It's not like it's me that's using the power.
  • caprikid1
    caprikid1 Posts: 2,417 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    gurudave said:
    Stubod said:
    ..on what grounds would you not be responsible for this??
    I'll bounce that back at you... on what grounds would I be responsible for it?

    As I said, there's nothing in the tenancy agreement which mentions this. It's not like it's me that's using the power.
    The tenant has to maintain the property from a heating and damp perspective. Time to talk to the landlord ...
  • Emmia
    Emmia Posts: 5,317 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If you don't power the pump, presumably your flat will flood (water? sewage?) how much would replacing your belongings / the inconvenience cost? 
  • Olinda99
    Olinda99 Posts: 2,042 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 3 January at 2:58PM
    50w continouous (0.05kw) is 438kwHr over a year or £100pa at say 25p per unit

    Obviously prices were cheaper 8 yrs ago

    Where is the pump wired into.your consumer unit ?

    If you are seeing 50w draw continuous 24/7 that won't be a sump pump
  • gurudave
    gurudave Posts: 11 Forumite
    10 Posts
    OK thanks everyone.

    To respond to everyone's points so far...

    The central heating pump is on the same circuit as the boiler.
    I don't think it's within the operating tolerance of the device - when I switch on only one 3W LED lamp, the device indeed shows 3W is being consumed.
    I know sump pumps do not operate continuously which is why I mentioned they sometimes come with battery back-up.
    I disagree that it's like a bathroom fan extractor - that is a clear and obvious use, whereas whatever is using the 50W is hidden.   

    My calculation was 50W * 24 hours * 365 days * 8 years = 3504000 watt hours, or 3504 kW hours. I thought a kWh cost around 60p but have just discovered it to be around 22p. So that would make it 3504 * 22 = £770.88. Not so bad, but still a sum I could do with.
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,726 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Do you really mean "continuous"  ?     

    If you switch off the kitchen circuit at the distribution board -  does the 50W drop to zero?

    As others have said sump pumps cycle, rather like a fridge
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • gurudave
    gurudave Posts: 11 Forumite
    10 Posts
    Olinda99 said:
    50w continouous (0.05kw) is 438kwHr over a year or £100pa at say 25p per unit

    Obviously prices were cheaper 8 yrs ago

    Where is the pump wired into.your consumer unit ?

    If you are seeing 50w draw continuous 24/7 that won't be a sump pump
    Yes, thanks, I have already revisited my maths!

    And I have no idea where the sump pump is wired into the consumer unit. There's nothing marked as such. The pump is however below the kitchen floor, which is why I suspect(ed) it to be responsible.
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