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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my heated throw is too expensive to run?

65 replies

MargotMoon · 05/01/2022 21:57

I bought a heated throw at the beginning of November and my electric consumption seems to have gone up from about 4.5kwh/day on average to around 7kwh/day. This is based on actual meter readings.

I know electric consumption is higher generally in the winter, but mine has always been quite consistent since I've been working from home. I haven't got any other new electrical items or changed any other habits.

I thought they were economical to run and I'm gutted Sad Has anyone else noticed this?

OP posts:
PinkiOcelot · 05/01/2022 21:58

What is that in monetary value?
I thought they were cheap to run too.

Doubleraspberry · 05/01/2022 22:03

That’s completely wrong. I think you have a problem with your meter. They cost pennies to run.

user1477249785 · 05/01/2022 22:05

I can't help you with the heated throw but hot water bottles are cheap as chips and brilliant

Unhomme · 05/01/2022 22:07

Given the average cost of electric is about 16p per kilowatt I'm not sure that's right...your electric usage is very low?

aoeu · 05/01/2022 22:08

Get a plug-in power monitor to check what it's using. Something like:

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

It's unlikely that everything else in your house is so stable and your electric throw is the sole cause of this sudden increase.

Moonlitdoor · 05/01/2022 22:09

You can calculate the cost of running it very easily you just need the wattage.

www.sust-it.net/energy-calculator.php

Mine is 120watts and costs 2.36 pence an hour.

NoSquirrels · 05/01/2022 22:09

It’s vastly unlikely to be your heated throw, OP. What does the manufacturer say it should cost to run?

Do you have an electrical consumption monitor? They’re pretty cheap. Then you can test different appliances etc.

Original poster
MargotMoon · 05/01/2022 22:09

In monetary value my electric has gone up by 50% from £1.03/day in October to £1.52/day in December/January. I've been on the same fixed price tariff during that time.

I can't think what else it could be!

OP posts:
MarbleQueen · 05/01/2022 22:09

I can tell from my smart meter that mine costs about 3 pence an hour.

NoSquirrels · 05/01/2022 22:11

@MargotMoon

In monetary value my electric has gone up by 50% from £1.03/day in October to £1.52/day in December/January. I've been on the same fixed price tariff during that time.

I can't think what else it could be!

But has your consumption gone up?
LubaLuca · 05/01/2022 22:11

Are you saving anything on heating costs by using the electric blanket instead?

namechange30455 · 05/01/2022 22:12

How often do you have it on? I think mine is about 150W so that consumption would only make sense if you have it on for 16 or so hours a day!

Your consumption generally is very low though so it's a big percentage increase. Are you sure 4.5 per day is correct?

Doubleraspberry · 05/01/2022 22:13

Now I’ve processed the consumption, OP, it very well could be your throw - but it’s still extremely cheap to run compared to other forms of heating. You’re just using very, very little electricity compared to most people.

Bluntness100 · 05/01/2022 22:14

It costs you 40 p a day to run? Are you solely using that and for how long on average daily?

sirfredfredgeorge · 05/01/2022 22:16

Mine is 120watts and costs 2.36 pence an hour

120w for 24 hours is 2.8kwh isn;t it? Which is what the increase was, so if it's on all the time - and at maximum temperature as you'd normally have a thermostat not requiring full power all the time.

Original poster
MargotMoon · 05/01/2022 22:17

Ok, I've found the wattage online and it says 0.11 - 0.12kwh - but it doesn't say whether that is low or high (it does get very hot on high).

I've been using it a lot because I've been unwell but definitely not 16 hours a day - maybe 6 on average? And not always on the hottest setting.

My electric consumption has always been pretty low, so I can't work out why the sudden change.

I like the look of those consumption monitor plugs!

OP posts:
comfortablyfrumpy · 05/01/2022 22:18

I'm sure mine was advertised as costing 1p an hour to run.

Bluntness100 · 05/01/2022 22:20

Are you sure it’s only on six hours a day op? That doesn’t sound likely that it would cost eight pence an hour.

The issue here is your electricity consumption is so so low. Do you not heat your home?

Original poster
MargotMoon · 05/01/2022 22:20

@LubaLuca

Are you saving anything on heating costs by using the electric blanket instead?
That was the plan, as gas prices are rising but now I'm worried that the plan has backfired! My thermostat is on 17 degrees from 10.30pm - 5.30am and then again from 8.30am - 5.00pm in the week and then usually 18-19 degrees in the evenings and a bit more over weekends. Any hotter than that and I have to turn it down
OP posts:
Original poster
MargotMoon · 05/01/2022 22:22

@Bluntness100

Are you sure it’s only on six hours a day op? That doesn’t sound likely that it would cost eight pence an hour.

The issue here is your electricity consumption is so so low. Do you not heat your home?

Sorry yes, heating is all gas though so I expect that to go up and down, whereas my electric usage has always been consistent
OP posts:
sparkler10 · 05/01/2022 22:24

Have you tried to not use it for one day, to see what difference it makes to your consumption?

coogee · 05/01/2022 22:30

Turning the heating off altogether overnight when you are in bed would probably make a noticeable difference to gas costs.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 05/01/2022 22:30

That sounds about right. It's costing you 40p per day which is a small price for comfort and cheaper than turning up the central heating.

It looks a large % as your consumption is so very low. 4.5 units a day Is basically fridge-freezer plus one other thing - a few min cooking in the oven or one wash in the machine.

Original poster
MargotMoon · 05/01/2022 22:31

@sparkler10

Have you tried to not use it for one day, to see what difference it makes to your consumption?
No, only noticed this today when I got my bill through so will do that and maybe ask about a smart meter as well.

Thanks for your replies everyone, according to the calculator it should be 2.2p/hr to run so maybe IABU and it's something else! I do hope so, because even though I got a new hot water bottle for Christmas I bloody love my heated throw.

OP posts:
JustJustWhy · 05/01/2022 22:32

I use mine constantly when I'm at home. It really does cost pennies (I have one of those metres that monitors current usage)