Huge Electricity Bill

[WireCat]

We've been in this hues a year. Electricity consumption ridiculous.

I have to use the tumble dryer when it's raining/winter as the washing simply doesn't dry here on the racks.

We switch off lights etc.

Where/how can we cut back?

4 bed detached house. Open plan downstairs.

Gas Central heating.

Thank you.

[Brandnewstart]

Another vote for the heated airer, I've had one for about 3 years. Most things dry overnight, especially with a sheet or big towel over the top.

[Aki99]

Cooking on electric can be expensive - try batch cooking

[RedSoloCup]

I have a lot of washing here and leave it on airers (x2) for 24 hours then finish in the TD and put the next days on, it does save a fortune as it then only takes 30-40mins in the TD rather than 2 hours plus if you time it right you can whip it out and it doesn't need ironing ;)

[WireCat]

Hello all.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm just back off my holiday and will go through the last years bills. Been here a year now as well.

[Fluffyears]

We have a dehumidifier I put it into same room as airers and close door. The house doesn't get damp as it pulls moisture from the air and even things like towels will dry overnight. I never use a rue dryer and have no garden so nothing outside either.

[ItsDinah]

A ten minute shower at 15.555p per kw
Electric shower 8.5 kW 22 pence
Electric shower 10.5 kW 27 pence
Low flow shower gas heated water in cylinder 13 pence
Low flow shower electric heated (immersion) water in cylinder 41 pence
Power shower using gas heated stored water 31 pence
Power shower using electric immersion heater 124 pence
Combi boiler power shower 30kW 27 pence

[TheMightyMing]

I have a Lakeland heated airer- no longer have a tumble dryer. Wouldn't be without it now.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Thank you LL12

[insancerre]

How big is your landing? I don't have a drier so I use the space on the landing to dry the washing. Towels and bedding go over the bannister. Shirts, trousers etc I hang on hangers on a portable clothes rail, socks and underwear I use 2 of those space saver driers that have the pegs attached. They hang off each end of the clothes rail. I also have room for a folding clothes airer that takes any washing. It dries quite quickly as warm air rises so it is no ally warm on the landing

[LL12]

The face book page was called Frugal Homemaking and Living fluffycloudland77

[Hobnobissupersweet]

That really isn't that big a bill, assuming a large part of it is paying for arrears.
We don't have mains gas ( although our heating runs on tank gas ) so we are not eligible for the cheap dual fuel deals, and our bills are £187/ month.
Everyone is out all day during the week for that as well.

[Fluffycloudland77]

We destroy toasters. Other appliances live but toasters soon become toast. This one only works on one side....

The heating controller runs the boiler and the water. If its off then everythings off including the boiler. If I wanted to I could program the water to come on for an hour one day then three the next then go off for two weeks.

As it is its used for the heating as and when I need it and the waters only on for 20mins a day.

[nannynick]

I was just thinking of something that I had to plug into the meter which had a heating element.

I agree with you PigletJohn, if FluffyCloudland's toaster is showing a reading on the meter when not in use, then there is something wrong with the toaster.

FluffyCloudland - why do you want a Dualit? Looks nice I suppose and may last quite a long time with only minor repairs (like a new timer) but costly to buy. Mumsnetters views on Dualit Toasters (thread from 2012)

[RaisingSteam]

I remember another thread where we conclude the huge electric bills were down to teenagers using the electric shower for over an hour a day. Things that heat are the big consumers so shower, cooker, dryer, immersion or any plug in heater. But it may also be some sort of over correction for arrears or under charging.

[PigletJohn]

kettle? I meant plug your toaster into the adaptor.

[PigletJohn]

if you have, or can borrow, a gardening RCD Adaptor as used with lawnmowers, plug your kettle into it and see if it trips. It is fairly unusual for an appliance to have earth leakage, unless it is a watery appliance such as a kettle or washing machine, though heating elements, especially in ovens, can leak as they get old, but this is only when they are turned on. Toaster elements are different so I don't know what might be wrong with it.

[Fluffy40]

I second the halogen oven , and it cooks quicker too.

[nannynick]

Anything special about your toaster?

I do not have a toaster, so tried a kettle... pushed W button on the meter, it showed 00 with kettle plugged in but not doing anything.

Heating control - is it a timer? That can be rather handy come the winter when you may need it to turn on heating before you get home.
Is it a thermostat? Is it controlling when the heating comes on based on the room temperature?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'll leave it on then.

I've always wanted a dualit toaster.....

[PigletJohn]

best not. The controller itself uses hardly any current, it will be either an electronic clock, or, if old, an electric clock driven by a small motor. My Programmable Thermostat (incl timer) is actually battery-driven, and two AA cells last about three years, so electricity usage is negligible.

The boiler and pump will use a small amount of current when running, but nothing compared to the cost of energy.

If the toaster uses measurable energy when off, I think it is defective, either internally, or the cable or plug is damaged. Start saving up for a new one, especially if it has a metal casing.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Yes & yes.

Only the fridge, freezer and central heating controller runs all day. Everything else is off and unplugged.

Do you think I could switch the heating control off all day? I only need it when I want heat/hot water but I worry if I switch it off it won't work again.

[PigletJohn]

oops 10W I mean

[PigletJohn]

this sort of thing? And with the toaster plugged in but not on, it drew 10A?

Have you got an RCD Circuit Breaker?