To think this is a lot?

[NoKidsTwoCats]

We have an outbuilding separate to our house. It's on its own meter so we are billed separately for it.

We hardly ever use it. Part of it is sectioned off as shed and the other part is a mostly empty room that hubby has set up as a 'gym' (lol - never used). There are two main uses of power in the building: a fridge freezer which we use for wine and beer and a light on the outside which appears to be on some sort of light sensitive timer meaning it comes on around dusk and is off at dawn/in the day. Other than that, we'll turn a light on inside if we go out there in the dark to get something - a couple of times a week for a matter of seconds. That's it.

Our bills are coming in at about £10 per month. This seems a lot when the electric for the main house (large 3 bed character semi, we have quite high usage as husband works shifts so the house is often occupied in the day, kettle and washing machine constantly on the go as I'm somewhat laundry and tea obsessed) is about £35 per month. We're definitely using more than 3.5x the amount of electricity compared to the outbuilding as, y'know, we actually live in it!

Am I missing something? Does a tenner a month seem reasonable? I know there are standard charges on top of usage but I didn't think they'd be that high!

Your statement should break out what the standing charges are and what is usage. You should look at one of the camparison sites to work out the best deal for this outbuilding and change supplier asap

It depends on your tariff some have high standing charges and low unit rates others have low standing charge and high unit rates. In your position you need to look.for the lowest.standing charge as that will be the majority of your cost. Alsomdo you need the security light? Some are very bright and not that energy efficient, could you turn it off?

It does seem alot. But as pp said, you may need to switch supplier to get a better deal.

Is the outside light LED? If not that'll account for most of it. Outdoor lights aren't very energy efficient.

Thanks, guess I should look at my bill a bit closer to check the standing charge.

It's cold out there so maybe I'll turn off the fridge and just put the booze on the floor over the winter.

I didn't know that about outside lights, needadvicetoleave. We've got an electrician out Saturday about something else so will enquire about LED ones. Thanks 👍