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Original poster

Help me work out how I'm using so much electricity??

135 replies

Crazybengalcats · 23/03/2022 13:52

Hi, I know there are a million threads on this topic and I've read most of them, but I could really do with some help working out why the electricity usage is so high in our household.

I'm with Bulb and the annual estimated electricity usage is 14,000kwh :(

Here's what we have in the house:

Combi boiler

Electric oven and hob - we do oven cook a lot of things and some days the oven is on 2-3 times (we might eat something spicy later in the evening after children have eaten, for example) and each morning we boil coffee on the hob using a coffee pot.

Electric shower (all three children shower daily, 10 mins each roughly, partner most days, me every other day)

Kettle - boiled a few times a day, I do tend to fill it up each time Blush

Toaster used maybe 3 times per week

3 x tvs on standby 24/7, one used for the xbox in our room which dp is on most evenings for a few hours

3 other xboxes plugged in but switched on infrequently

3 x sets of led lights (one in each of the children's rooms) - always on but this week I've started turning them off during the day.

Printer - plugged in and switched on all the time.

Alexa device

Google home device

Many phone and laptop chargers left plugged in and on at the wall

Washing machine - new this year and a rated, plus a tumble dryer - a rated. I do lots of washing (2-3 loads per day), one load at 60 degrees and the others at 40.... only an hour for each cycle though.

Tumble dryer I was using for most loads Blush but have been trying to hang the washing out while it's been sunny recently

Chest freezer and a small undercounter fridge which are both -2 years old.

That's it!

Does anyone know the most likely culprits for the high electricity bills?

We can't get an in home display as we have a 1st gen smart meter so was thinking of trying one of the energy plugs to monitor usage but would like to start with one of the most likely electricity-guzzling appliances first!

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Candlecassie · 23/03/2022 18:27

There is also a really good Facebook page called Energy Bills, advice and energy debts Uk. Worth joining for help deciphering your bills and useage.

WhatisanODP · 23/03/2022 18:31

You can deffo use the towels for longer!!

They are being used on clean just showered bodies. Cut that right back!

lljkk · 23/03/2022 18:37

Did OP say how much her immersion heater is on for?
3 TVs, 2 or 3 gaming PCs, 3 Xboxes ?
DH wondered if OP has a life, ever turns the hoover off..

Original poster
Crazybengalcats · 23/03/2022 19:52

@lljkk

Did OP say how much her immersion heater is on for? 3 TVs, 2 or 3 gaming PCs, 3 Xboxes ? DH wondered if OP has a life, ever turns the hoover off..
No I don't have much of a life. Hoover every evening.

I don't have an immersion heater. If you mean boiler (which is a different thing entirely), we have a terribly uninsulated house (not my fault; we rent) and I keep the thermostat set to 16 during the day, only turning up when chilly in the evening or first thing in the morning. I can't keep it set any higher or the heating would never be off, due to the aforementioned uninsulated house, the house rarely gets above 16 degrees.

OP posts:
Original poster
Crazybengalcats · 23/03/2022 19:59

Three xboxes...one in each child's bedroom. Gaming pc in 15 year oldest room, the other in another child's bedroom. Mostly used for minecraft and roblox so not high intensity gaming which I thought might use more power as they would be under heavy load.

Three tvs... one in the living room which is only used to watch the news in the morning and the chase at 5pm, one in our bedroom to watch netflix from 9-10pm and DP forza for a couple of hours prior to that, and the final one is my 15 year oldest room which is only used occasionally when he plays fortnite on his xbox.

Not a crazy amount of tech compared to some...

@WhatisanODP I know in theory they can... but I've never been one to have damp towels hanging in bedrooms and I cringe at the thought of wiping my (clean...but still!) bottom one evening and potentially my face the following morning!
I will try and cut back on the towel washing etc, but I do have anxiety so am trying to change things in manageable chunks rather than everything all at once! :)

OP posts:
Hercisback · 23/03/2022 20:07

The arse face problem is easily solved, dry arse in the middle of the towel and face on the edge.

You have a lot of tech compared to many families. We only have one TV and one console.

You have so much you could cut down. It's up to you if you choose not to.

Horst · 23/03/2022 20:16

I think it’s going to be the showers tumble dryer and tech. Our bills are huge we have loads of tech. Two gaming pcs with multiple screens, three Xboxes. Three large TVs then the alexas be that show or dot, the smart bulbs which I guess must use more than a normal led bulb as they are always ready to be turned on.

We have ditched the electric shower and the tumble dryer now. Although our hob is now electric compared to the old gas one and using an air fryer much more now hoping our bills will drop.

Horst · 23/03/2022 20:16

Also we don’t use the kettle just a Dulce gusto so exact water only and not actually boiling.

lljkk · 23/03/2022 20:24

Insulation would make a huge difference, if you are home-owner.

Original poster
Crazybengalcats · 23/03/2022 20:25

@Horst

I think it’s going to be the showers tumble dryer and tech. Our bills are huge we have loads of tech. Two gaming pcs with multiple screens, three Xboxes. Three large TVs then the alexas be that show or dot, the smart bulbs which I guess must use more than a normal led bulb as they are always ready to be turned on.

We have ditched the electric shower and the tumble dryer now. Although our hob is now electric compared to the old gas one and using an air fryer much more now hoping our bills will drop.

Yes, we did have a halogen fryer and used it for most things until it died,then just never got around to replacing.

Might have to purchase a new one... I do think maybe the oven might be dodgy, it's 5 years old and was bought from a local independent shop, some of the paint on the outside is bubbling and we have had to replace the heating element...

Thanks all for the advice, I will try my best to stop washing my towels so frequently and evidently my children are also too clean!

But seriously, to those who have posted actually helpful advice rather than simply calling me a wasteful arse, thanks, will take it all on board.

OP posts:
PinkFluffyUnicornSlippers · 23/03/2022 20:26

Sounds similar to us and we only used 3500kw last year. I’m sure that’s way too much.

Horst · 23/03/2022 20:29

If you own your house what about a mains shower then it’s gas not electric and while yes that cost has gone up too it’s not a high as electric. We moved house which is why some of our stuff changed. Landlord always picked the cheapest of the cheap in our old house.

Original poster
Crazybengalcats · 23/03/2022 20:47

@Horst

If you own your house what about a mains shower then it’s gas not electric and while yes that cost has gone up too it’s not a high as electric. We moved house which is why some of our stuff changed. Landlord always picked the cheapest of the cheap in our old house.
We rent unfortunately...
OP posts:
hihellohihello · 23/03/2022 20:49

Cold or at least cooler showers. There is a health benefit. Look it up and convince the kids.

Sunnysal · 23/03/2022 20:55

I agree with all the above ideas but also I change my clothes from going out to slobbing at home which saves a lot of washing. I hang my going out stuff back in the wardrobe and get several wears out of them . I wear old t shirts and jeans all week.
I have a hot water dispenser which does 1 mug at a time . We also have a blanket each at night when we watch telly.....even though we live in Spain it gets cold.

Apileofballyhoo · 23/03/2022 20:58

@Crazybengalcats get yourself a few guest towels or large facecloths/flannels. You can use a clean one every day for your face and/or your bum and just use your big towel for your body.

RagzRebooted · 23/03/2022 21:06

[quote Apileofballyhoo]@Crazybengalcats get yourself a few guest towels or large facecloths/flannels. You can use a clean one every day for your face and/or your bum and just use your big towel for your body.[/quote]
You're an absolute genius, I never thought of having a bum drying flannel! Flannels take up barely and space in the washing machine, this is such a good Idea.

hihellohihello · 23/03/2022 21:11

[quote Apileofballyhoo]@Crazybengalcats get yourself a few guest towels or large facecloths/flannels. You can use a clean one every day for your face and/or your bum and just use your big towel for your body.[/quote]

Grin
reesewithoutaspoon · 23/03/2022 21:17

Electric showers are expensive in relation to other stuff. Can you cut them down to 5 minutes? Use an egg timer or something.
at a rate of 20p, a kw/h a 10 min shower can cost 24 to 32p depending on the KW rating of your shower.
Given that electricity, charges are going up (let's assume 30p per kw/h) you're looking at the 50 mins of daily showers costing you over £500 quid a year. Just by reducing your showers to 5 minutes, you will save £250 quid.

Original poster
Crazybengalcats · 23/03/2022 21:19

[quote Apileofballyhoo]@Crazybengalcats get yourself a few guest towels or large facecloths/flannels. You can use a clean one every day for your face and/or your bum and just use your big towel for your body.[/quote]
Will be purchasing more towels for definite!

OP posts:
Hercisback · 23/03/2022 21:27

In fairness OP you do deserve the wasteful comments. It's good you've reflected on your energy use and seen there are lots of ways to cut down. You won't be the only household living like this so it will help others to read the thread too.

Daftasabroom · 24/03/2022 08:29

IHRTFT but many electric showers are rated at 8.5kW

Original poster
Crazybengalcats · 24/03/2022 09:55

@Hercisback

In fairness OP you do deserve the wasteful comments. It's good you've reflected on your energy use and seen there are lots of ways to cut down. You won't be the only household living like this so it will help others to read the thread too.
Oh I don't dispute that, there are nicer ways to say it, that's all! I wouldn't have posted if I weren't concerned or unaware about my usage being so high, now it's been pointed out I can work on it.

You'll be pleased to know every socket is off this morning bar my phone charger, and I currently have a wash on the eco setting (although that cycle is 2 hours long rather my usual 1hr 4min so it's panicking me slightly!)

OP posts:
steppemum · 24/03/2022 11:30

timers may be your friend.

I said it up thread but I think it got lost.

Most of your tech could go on timers. So it switched off at 11 pm /midnight and doesn't come back on again until after school the next day.
That would stop them being on standby, but also stop the faff of having to turn on and off all the time.

steppemum · 24/03/2022 11:33

eco cycles on washing machines are long because they wash clothes differently.
Normal wash- agitates the clothes a lot in the soapy water, gets the dirt out. But agitating uses a lot of energy.
eco wash - relies on longer soaking time, and less agitation. Longer but uses less energy, as the extra time is mostly spent waiting for the clothes to soak.

I'm afraid I remain unconvinced by the eco wash.

BUT turning down form 60 - 40 will make a huge difference. Some things even on 30. Bit I still wash sheets and towels at 60. And I find that 30 doesn't work for smelly teen T shirts, but 40 does, they don't need 60.
I think