Meter readings

QuantumCactus42

Gerry1 said:

QuantumCactus42 said:

FrugaiMacDugal said:

Try leaving switch off for a day, take a reading when you switch it off and again next day at same time to see what usage is.

If you have a well insulated tank water should remain warm enough.

Im trying this out now. Its currently off. I am taking pictures of the meter every 2 hours to see what the usage is like. Right now its around 0.2kwh every 2 hours. Does this sound right?

That corresponds to a typical 100W background use of standby items so absolutely nothing to worry about.  It's surprising how many things are connected 24/7 e.g. doorbell, PIR floodlight, porch light, TVs, clock radio, aerial amplifier, burglar alarm, microwave, washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge. freezer, cooker...

Thats reassuring thank you! I will be keeping the thingy off until tomorrow then turn it back on for a whole day to compare how much is used when its off vs on. Unfortunately the costs of a new one are too high for us plus getting someone to fit it etc. I know people are saying it can be a diy job but we dont wanna mess around with electrics and stuff that would potentially cost more to fix if damaged. Bit of a shame when the solution to a money problem is to spend more money! Perks of being poor i guess. Thank you all for your help its greatly appreciated!

QrizB

QuantumCactus42 said:

Unfortunately the costs of a new one are too high for us plus getting someone to fit it etc.

I don't recall whether you've said if you own your home or rent, but if you rent then replacing it is your landlord's responsibility.

QuantumCactus42

victor2 said:

@QuantumCactus42, I don't think I've seen you confirm this yet, but are you actually on an E7 tariff? You could be on a single rate tariff, but the "day" and "night" usage figures are billed at the same rate.

If you are on a single rate, it will make no difference having the readings transposed. Doesn't mean you don't have to sort out the switches, but does mean you don't have to worry about getting an unpleasant bill.

So I just checked the app and the only thing i can find is a standard variable tarrif. If i was on E7, is that what it would say?

QuantumCactus42

QrizB said:

QuantumCactus42 said:

Unfortunately the costs of a new one are too high for us plus getting someone to fit it etc.

I don't recall whether you've said if you own your home or rent, but if you rent then replacing it is your landlord's responsibility.

We rent. Weve been bugging our landlord recently because of this whole ordeal so hes probably heard enough from us for the next few months i think. I will speak to my parents to talk to him.

victor2

QuantumCactus42 said:

victor2 said:

@QuantumCactus42, I don't think I've seen you confirm this yet, but are you actually on an E7 tariff? You could be on a single rate tariff, but the "day" and "night" usage figures are billed at the same rate.

If you are on a single rate, it will make no difference having the readings transposed. Doesn't mean you don't have to sort out the switches, but does mean you don't have to worry about getting an unpleasant bill.

So I just checked the app and the only thing i can find is a standard variable tarrif. If i was on E7, is that what it would say?

The SVT is probably a single rate. Is the rate (p/kWh) the same for both day and night usage?

QrizB

victor2 said:

QuantumCactus42 said:

victor2 said:

@QuantumCactus42, I don't think I've seen you confirm this yet, but are you actually on an E7 tariff? You could be on a single rate tariff, but the "day" and "night" usage figures are billed at the same rate.

If you are on a single rate, it will make no difference having the readings transposed. Doesn't mean you don't have to sort out the switches, but does mean you don't have to worry about getting an unpleasant bill.

So I just checked the app and the only thing i can find is a standard variable tarrif. If i was on E7, is that what it would say?

The SVT is probably a single rate. Is the rate (p/kWh) the same for both day and night usage?

If you look on a recent bill, it'll tell you what prices (p/kWh) apply to the day period and the night one.

Gerry1

Something’s definitely not right here.  Your usage of around 4000kWh is slightly more than the 3900kWh Typical Domestic Consumption Value for a medium user.  Yet you say you never have the heating on !

It's difficult to understand why it's not extremely cold inside when the outside temperature is close or below freezing point.  If you have flats above, below, left, right and behind you it might to possible to gain some dubious benefit at your neighbours' expense via leakage  but your 4000kWh usage doesn't suggest this is happening.

Are you sure you don't have some hidden underfloor heating?  Are all the storage heaters always left switched off at the wall outlets?

Do a second meter sanity test when the meter shows the cheap rate period has kicked in.  Leave the main switch on but turn off all the 24h circuits.

QuantumCactus42

Gerry1 said:

Something’s definitely not right here.  Your usage of around 4000kWh is slightly more than the 3900kWh Typical Domestic Consumption Value for a medium user.  Yet you say you never have the heating on !

It's difficult to understand why it's not extremely cold inside when the outside temperature is close or below freezing point.  If you have flats above, below, left, right and behind you it might to possible to gain some dubious benefit at your neighbours' expense via leakage  but your 4000kWh usage doesn't suggest this is happening.

Are you sure you don't have some hidden underfloor heating?  Are all the storage heaters always left switched off at the wall outlets?

Do a second meter sanity test when the meter shows the cheap rate period has kicked in.  Leave the main switch on but turn off all the 24h circuits.

Yeah so we live in a flat with people above and below. But yes the house is freezing when outside temperatures are freezing. We have to use gloves, beanies inside. Last winter was really unpleasent as I had school work but hands kept freezing. A glass of water thats been left out feels like its just come out of the fridge. We for sure dont have under floor heating as the landlord mentioned it to us last year and we managed to talk him out of it.

We literally have everything off all the time. The only thing thats not turned off is 1 fridge, 1 freezer, 1 plug with the wifi router, one plug in parents room with phone chargers and 1 plug in my room with phone chargers. Oh and the water tank but ive now switched that off too.

Scot_39

Thats an estimate.  It may not be related to your actual usage - just typical for the size - especially if you are new to the flat.

Whats your actual use over the last few months from actual bills.

PS How many are in the flat - and is the water tank feeding the shower - or is the shower self heating (say a typical 9-9.5kW electric shower )

Water for potentially 3 ( you and parents ? ) including regular showers or baths - can add up to a lot of energy used.

Just for 1 - I estimate around 1500 kWh purely for HW tank and showering - it beats my heating use in a really mild winter like last - and runs it close in a colder one like this so far - you can likely add another 500kWh per person to that just for a daily shower or twice weekly shallow bath each. 

Certainly easy to get 2000kWh I guess for 3 - even when controlled properly

Add a couple of kWh per day for normal stuff - like TVs, computers, lights, kettle, plus other biggies like oven / hob etc 4000 isnt a silly number for 3 in a flat.  ( It takes my oven about 15-20 min to fully heat to hotter temps - that alones around 0.5-0.7kWh every use - why I bought a cheap small supermarket air fryer).

Scot_39

QuantumCactus42 said:

victor2 said:

@QuantumCactus42, I don't think I've seen you confirm this yet, but are you actually on an E7 tariff? You could be on a single rate tariff, but the "day" and "night" usage figures are billed at the same rate.

If you are on a single rate, it will make no difference having the readings transposed. Doesn't mean you don't have to sort out the switches, but does mean you don't have to worry about getting an unpleasant bill.

So I just checked the app and the only thing i can find is a standard variable tarrif. If i was on E7, is that what it would say?

Yes.  Well possibly.

Ofgem set a cap for both single rate and e7 (strictly multirate pc2 meters but e7 the most common).

If your meter has 2 rates you can be billed single rate but it's not the default as suppliers (should) know the meter type at every address and often default when sign up.

The only way to be sure is checking your bills and rates per unit.  Or tge tariff names might include clues.

Given your low heaters e7 even just for hot water might still be the best bet.  You generally only need 35'p-40% total off peak to beat SR - you could easily be 50% plus by my above guesstimates.

Or if have smart meter maybe something like Cosy or tomato lifestyle type deals if can avoid peak hour use c4-7pm ??.

And not all e7 deals charge tge same rates - you might save on average more with a cheap night more expensive to balance day if usage heavily biased to off peak. 

Once get immersion timer fixed by landlord.  Check your meter splits if is dual rate - or if single rate take meter readings at suitable tines like midnight and 7-8am to see if could benefit from e7 or alternate multirate smart style billing.