Argggh! Massive electricity consumption?!?

plastics

Hi, just moved into a 2 bed flat, living on my own, mostly at work during the week and away for the weekends.

With npower, but getting ridiculous electricity consumption of more than 700kWh per month..........approx £100 a month?!

Is this a reasonable consumption for a single person in a flat or well above average? If the latter, who can I contact to inspect the boiler/hot water installation - the water gets extremely hot at the tap even on low settings, but can't find anywhere to lower the temperature on the water timer or boiler. No manuals provided by landlord or managing agent when I moved in!

Cardew

You really must give more information.

Do you use electricity for all heating and hot water? I assume yes.

As you have just moved in how do you know the average is 700kWh per month?

700kWh in Winter/Spring is certainly not high if you have some heating on. and it shouldn't cost anything like £100 a month.

More details please.

plastics

Hi thanks for the reply.
Yes, its electricity for heating and water. I've been in the flat for 5 months, last bill was £297 for the quarter, between 20 Feb and 22 May (Total 2154 kWH, first 198 at 14p, next 1956 at 13p).

I have been using the heating for Feb and March I guess; but its one panel heater in the lounge, which I would possibly be using for 3hrs or so on some evenings. Most weekends I am away and not in the flat.

The hot water timer is on a separate timer, and there are no off peak periods, so I usually set it for 30minutes in the morning once a day; however, this seems to get the water extremely hot and available all day; and even if I then switch the timer off completely, the hot water lasts for another couple of days. There are no instructions on how to adjust the hot water temperature settings - maybe this is causing the high consumption?

If 700kWH isn't that high, then thats OK, I just thought the average was around 10000kWH per year, but I should be running significantly below average, as a single person in a flat??

x_raphael_xx

Hi ya.
I don't heat my water (electric shower & I use a kettle to heat water for the dishes)

My leccy bill came thru this week and it was £60 for the last quarter, thou it was estimated slightly lower than my usage. I live in a 1 bed flat on my own, and work full time.

No idea what the cost would be if I heated the water thou.

HTH

Cardew

2,154kWh for 3months Feb to May is certainly not excessive.

However the price you pay for electricity @14p and 13p/kWh is very high.

You should be able to reduce this by going on a comparison website and entering your details - estimate annual consumption as 7,000kWh and see the prices for your postcode.

annie123

do you cook elec as well, its more expensive than gas.

Elec panel heaters are not cheap to run either.

look at you meter, take note of reading, then turn hot water on for 30 mins see how much you use, the do the same with the heating.
phone your supplier and ask if this is a normal amount of units.
If it isn't then contact the letting agent at once.

the flat should have had an electrical safety test within the last year ask to see a copy if you haven't.