Confused about the price cap and energy consumption. Here's the thread for the physics and the maths to help you

[cakeorwine]

I've seen a lot of threads on here with people asking about their energy bills.

So a few basics here - and then I am sure people can add their own.

The price cap is an average expectation of what a household will pay. It's based on typical consumption and can vary between areas.

There is a daily standing charge and a cost per kilowatt hour.

There are figures available on typical energy consumption in a house.

According to Ofgem, the average household in the UK has 2.4 people living in it, and uses 2,900 kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas respectively. This works out as an average of 242 kWh of electricity, and 1,000 kWh of gas, per month

Electric devices have a power rating - in watts.
Devices that need a lot of power have a high power rating.

If you use a 1000 watt device for 1 hour, you have used 1 KWH of power (1000 watt hours)

That's 1 unit - about 28 pence with the new rating.

If you use the same 1000 watt device for 1/2 hour, that's 0.5 KWH - 0.5 units.

So if you use a 100 watt device for 10 hours, that's also 1 KWH (as it's low power but for a longer time)

Heaters are high users as they are on for a long time. As are immersion heaters.

Gas is different - you need to use a formula to change the volume of gas used from cubic metres into kilowatt hours.

A Smart meter will give you an indication of when there is a high energy demand, but don't forget that a low power device on for a long time will end up using a lot of energy.

So it's the kilowatt hours you need to look at whenever you question your bill.

And a little video to explain

If anyone has any questions about what it costs to run an electrical item, feel free to ask them here.

So is it better to only have the heating on when needed, or to leave it on a low temperature all day??

@xXwhenwillitendXx

So is it better to only have the heating on when needed, or to leave it on a low temperature all day??

That's a question.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/energy-saving-myths

Some people say yes. Some people say no.

(Not very helpful)

Suppose it's better to not have it in at all and just invest in thermals and blankets.

@xXwhenwillitendXx

Suppose it's better to not have it in at all and just invest in thermals and blankets.

Bit depressing.

My husband has an electrical command station power tower and has all his chargers plugged in 24 hours a day. He also leaves the light in the garage on 24-7. Is this now a divorceable offence?
Joking aside, we are on a key meter and are dreading the year ahead as we are freezing cold rural Scotland.

@xXwhenwillitendXx

Suppose it's better to not have it in at all and just invest in thermals and blankets.

We have heated throws for the evenings. It's so depressing .

Ok, is the power usage declared on a item, say a washing machine of 2.5Kw, the peak demand of a cycle or the average?

Is it true it's cheaper to do a wash on your washing machine at 30/40 than a 60/90 degree wash?
I'm glad you've posted this, I get really confused! I only use 9000kwh of gas a year though so I'm chuffed it's 3000kwh under.

It is depressing, but unfortunately it's a part of daily life now for many of us.

@FourTeaFallOut

Ok, is the power usage declared on a item, say a washing machine of 2.5Kw, the peak demand of a cycle or the average?

I'd plug in a power checker and see.

I'd presume it's the peak demand of a cycle - the most it will demand.

(I am going to plug in my power checker tomorrow and see)

You could use the power checker to see how much energy it uses in a cycle. And see what difference reducing the temperature / length of wash makes

I just wondered if there's a legal standard in their power declaration. They can't just pick a figure out of mid-air, surely?

But that would be good to know, thanks.👍

This is what you want

www.screwfix.com/p/energenie-ener007-energy-saving-power-meter-socket/3477h

You can get them from lots of places. It's better than a Smart Meter because you can see exactly how much energy something is using.

It's the energy usage we pay for. Either a high power device for a short time or a low power device for a long time.

It's looks pretty good cakeorwine, I love a gadget (but what I really need is a remote to turn off the shower when my teens are hogging the bathroom and the smart meter is going for a record)

@FourTeaFallOut

It's looks pretty good cakeorwine, I love a gadget (but what I really need is a remote to turn off the shower when my teens are hogging the bathroom and the smart meter is going for a record)

DS and I have had chats about our power shower and the time he spends in there.

@FourTeaFallOut

It's looks pretty good cakeorwine, I love a gadget (but what I really need is a remote to turn off the shower when my teens are hogging the bathroom and the smart meter is going for a record)

There's always the fuse box.

Just find the right one and there you go.

That day is coming.

We’ve just stocked up on thermals.
The Aga is now off (so no heating in the kitchen).
The central heating is on for 2 hours a day now, in the morning for showers.
We’re burning logs in the evening.

I guess properly warm houses and central heating were only a thing from the 1970s to 2022! People managed without for the rest of time. Except maybe the Romans.

People didn't manage, excess winter deaths were through the roof prior.

Surprised no one has asked about immersion heaters yet.

Just make sure they are well lagged.

Look at the temperature your boiler is at - get the right temperature to kill listeria but not too hot.

What temperature is that cake?

We live in a 2 bed flat and I've just checked our gas usage which is around 2400kw. That seems so low!

Our gas usage is well below average but our electricity well above. I've always put it down to having an electric oven but I'm tempted to try that power checker on everything and see what we can cut down on.