How do we use so much frigging electricity?

[swee'pea99]

I recently used one of those comparison sites to try to reduce our humungous energy bills, and was horrified - and baffled - to discover that while our gas consumption is about the national average, our electricity is about 250% of the average - 7500 kwh/year, as against an average of 3300.

How come?

I'd expect it to be a bit higher than the average. I work from home, so have a computer on all day. My wife quite often has another going in the attic. And both stay on 24 hours a day - obviously on standby after they've not been used for a bit. But that's about it. We don't use electricity for heating. We're reasonably sensible about turning lights out. I even switch the telly off at night. So how do we end up with such a mammoth bill? Any ideas?

 

[slowmotion]

Are you sure that your consumption is not based on estimated readings rather than actual ones?

 

[Leedsbusdriver]

Turn off them heat lamps that are cultivating those "herbs" of yours.

 

[swee'pea99]

Nah me no grow no 'erb, man.

& no, these aren't estimates, they come direct from The Man.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Short circuit somewhere? How old is your wiring?

 

[gbb]

Tropical aquarium ? they use a lot lot more electricity than most people realise.

 

[biggs682]

swee'pea99 looks like you rumbled all our extension leads plugged in at you end !!

 

[Broadside]

Our local library loans out the electricity consumption meters. Go and get one out for a week and see how much you are using. With all the usual stuff turned off you will find blips in consumption like the central heating pump kicking in to pump water round the rads, or the fridge compressor coming on just after you shut the fridge door, some of these things can use a fair amount of power. Are your appliances A rated or is your washing machine a bit thirsty on the leckie?

While we had the meter out on loan from the library it was easy to work out what was costing the money to run, you might be surprised how many things in your house use more than a kilowatt or two to run, like the hoover, fan oven, microwave, iron, outdoor security lights etc.

Also check what power the house consumes with everything switched off or in standby mode - our house is something like 35watts which is always trickling away IIRC, you might have a 'leak' due to old wiring or something like that.

 

[swee'pea99]

Interesting...yes, there's an aquarium. And none of the white goods are probably that efficient...A rated or anything like that. The washing machine, eg, is probably 15 years old. I must check out the library for one o' they electricity consumption meters. Thanks for all thoughts.

 

[Archie_tect]

Do you ever heat your hot water tank up with an immersion heater? ...or have you got an electric shower? ...and is your oven electric?

 

[swee'pea99]

I think the fish tank is the only heating we have. The central heating and all hot water's gas, as is the cooking hob. The oven's electric, come to think of it.

 

[Davidc]

We use a lot because of the lady's business. Part of that is a lot of washing. When I did a bit of measurement we nearly had a fit at the energy going into the tumble dryer and washing machine. This years weather hasn't helped in efforts to reduce it!

We used to have a TV which took about 10w when off. That worked out at about 80 units a year wasted, costing over £10. Not much but then add in computers, wifi routers, printers and all the other junk that's left on standby. The present TV takes about 1/2 w when off. Still 50p but much better.

Definitely follow dmoran's advice and find out where it's going

 

[HLaB]

When I moved into my flat I was told the last tenant was spending £50 a month, three months later I'd spent £27 a month, OK that was only till mid November but what were the previous tenant doing or was it just a ruse by the electricity board to get me to spend more?

 

[ColinJ]

[QUOTE 2208580, member: 76"]Is there an extension lead going from your kitchen window to the next door factory?[/quote]
Water example!

 

[Archie_tect]

I think the fish tank is the only heating we have. The central heating and all hot water's gas, as is the cooking hob. The oven's electric, come to think of it.

SP, do you run your central heating on constant with the pump running, or for a few hours morning and night... ?
Are your neighbours paying similar amounts to you for similar occupancy/ useage?