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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Somebody is using my tumble dryer at night...

494 replies

RaisinBread · 22/02/2018 09:18

I’m convinced of it.

I have a new smart meter it’s been installed for about a month. My resting house uses 9p of electric between midnight and the time we wake up. Always.

So I’ve woken up today and the meter is on 48p.... I went to bed past midnight last night, which is very unusual for me but got hooked into 24 hours in AE and ended up making the kids packed lunches at 12.30. At this point from several lights being left on and the tv running the meter was already on 8p so I knew it would be around 20p at most by the morning.

So I wake up to find it double what I’m expecting and then hear the dryer going. It’s in a building attached to the main house, sort of a boot room. When I rented the house there was no lock to that room (old house with old doors and I think the key was lost at some point) but there was to the main house which has a heavy door, locks and bolts. It didn’t bother me as in a sleepy village. My landlord lives behind me with his family in a converted barn and someone is usually home as they are renovating it.

Even weirder than my tumble dryer being on when I hadn’t turned it on is that the tray that collects the water was bone dry! My washing load in there was bulky cottons that hold a lot of water so it should have been half full/full after my load drying.

I put my load in the day before and due to the pre mentioned tv binge, forgot to take it out before bed to fold.

This has really weirded me out as this is now the second time this week that the tumble dryer has been on in the morning and the meter has been above 9p. The last time was I think Tuesday morning but I live with three kids so just shrugged it off that one of them had put it on by accident when looking for clean uniform. Although thinking about it logically now they wouldn’t have been looking for clean uniform on a Tuesday morning as we have enough sets to last until Wednesday before they need washing and drying....

So do you agree with me is someone sneaking into my house unloading my washing. Drying theirs. Emptying the tray of water and then putting mine back in to fully dry? Confused

OP posts:
soundslikeballons · 23/02/2018 18:03

Ohhh just read this and it's friday... totally nothing to add other than great drawing..

MaggieS41 · 23/02/2018 18:12

Stick a toothpick or something as inconspicuous in the door when you shut it and see if it’s fallen in the morning.

viques · 23/02/2018 18:16

No update? Scowls, kicks chair, slams door...........

MachineBee · 23/02/2018 18:17

Pioneer GrinGrinGrin at you waiting to see how this unfolds!!!!Grin

Holisticlady · 23/02/2018 18:28

I'd set my alarm to get up really early or place some kind of motion sensor - do mobile phones have them? Or set a trap with a tiny bit of cellotape across the door!

Cuckwho · 23/02/2018 18:30

Leave it empty but with a paintball pritsticked to the top of the drum out of sight. It'll leave their clothes needing to be washed again but no long term damage to them or the tumble dryer. You'll know and will annoy them. Win win

youngnomore · 23/02/2018 18:36

🕵️‍♀️

turophile · 23/02/2018 18:38

I can't wait for the results of the trap Grin

SiliconHeaven · 23/02/2018 18:44

I’m loving all the adverts for tumble dryers all over the page

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 23/02/2018 18:53

Not shamelessly place marking - oh no not at all

alfieandannie · 23/02/2018 19:00

I have a smart meater too and when we wake up it’s always on 38p... we rang BT and they said they have a standard ‘start rate’ of about 35p for each day...anything can add it up after this like the fridge freezer being on and chargers.

alfieandannie · 23/02/2018 19:01

Meter*

lfrancis12 · 23/02/2018 19:01

I may have the answer for you! Our dryer has this automatic thing where if you leave the washing in the dryer it will "refresh" the load after it is dryer every so often. Goes for about 5 minutes then turns itself off again.
Could it be that yours has the same thing?

stardust18 · 23/02/2018 19:02

I’m fully excited to see if you catch the Electricity thief!! I think it’s your landlord too 😀

PerfectlyPosed · 23/02/2018 19:10

Placemarking. I need to know what's going on!

RaisinBread · 23/02/2018 19:18

DP has arrived sans camera and causal shoes for the weekend. I have explained that I have several people waiting on an update. I guess his punishment will be a weekend stuck wearing his work shoes. Karma?

We have agreed that we'll leave attaching a bolt until we've had a chance to set up the camera. I will leave artfully placed items once again. I'll update when we have the camera set up. Or anymore odd goings on.

OP posts:
LurkerExtraordinaire · 23/02/2018 19:20

OK I’ve just got wind of this on Mumsnet Daily and I’m totally invested. Would like to second pp who said 10/10 for your diagram OP. This has the makings of a Classic depending on how it pans out but the diagram has upped the ante hugely. And I’m hoping you meant overnight Friday which works for me as I’ll only be thinking of it tonight and waiting for an update rather than wishing the past couple of days away to see what happens! Grin

DressAndGo · 23/02/2018 19:22
Grin
Bridgetnoknickers · 23/02/2018 19:33

So invested in this now. Blatant placemark. Not even sorry Grin

Doublemint · 23/02/2018 19:35

Take before and after photos OP!

Doublemint · 23/02/2018 19:36

(Oh yeah and obviously share them with your MN team of back up super sleuths.)

Polkadot1974 · 23/02/2018 19:37

Place marking but desperate for a low level check such as the hair tie or an artfully placed sock...

user1468594353 · 23/02/2018 19:42

Dying to know the outcome! Thank god it’s Friday Grin

rothbury · 23/02/2018 19:49

I agree with PP - this thread really needs a MIL angle - are you sure MIL isn't your landlord OP? Grin

MyToeHurtsBetty · 23/02/2018 20:00

Can't wait for tomorrow now... nearly worth going to bed to make it come round faster