Energy/maths dunce here I need help please?

[Graphista]

Currently with edf I fixed until July 2024 when it was looking like that was the right thing to do, wondering now if that was a mistake?

Took meter readings today, they said I need to give an up to date meter reading to potentially get a refund for whatever I'm in credit by according to them?

When I spoke with them on that occasion I also reduced my direct debit, again wondering if this was a mistake but I am really struggling (disabled on benefits, trying to ease back into working in the way I can but no income as yet)

I've got a note on phone of all meter reading since I moved in here in February. Electric usage between last reading and this one seems crazy high and I don't know why, I'm not using anything high energy to my knowledge and it's only me here. I turn lights off when not in use, turn things off when not in use though I'll admit tech things I tend to keep constantly plugged in/charging. But no dishwasher or tumble dryer or anything like that.

I'm kinda nervous to submit these readings but know that's essentially me sticking head in sand.

I'm terrified they're gonna whack my DD up as a result and no refund or even worse a big bill to pay that I can't.

Can anyone help me figure it all out and perhaps provide a little reassurance?

I genuinely struggle with maths and stuff like this makes me super anxious.

That's how I take the readings anyway and it's really not clear. I have to video as I wobble too much reaching up to take a pic.

Is your shower electric or does it run off the boiler?

Shower is electric, don't shower every day in winter during heatwave was 2-3 times a day!

Definitely possible I would say. I have done that, and I can stand right in front of mine in broad daylight! The display is inset a little, and casts a shadow, so misreading is easy.

Even so, as an interim reading, it would have given an idea of usage for a given peiod of time, but over this Feb to Nov summary, it makes no overall difference. But you can now see what your usage has been and if your heating is gas, then your electricity costs will not change an awful lot (unless you supplement with a fan or convector heater). Although yes, using your oven might increase costs, but a halogen hob is not especially exepensive to use.

If you can get a reading from the gas meter more easily, tracking it for a few days will give you an idea, and then it can be predicted by and large. Then we can calculate future costs and how you will be able (and you will!) to pay for them, especially with the other help you will get.

For preparing hot meals at low coast, I use a digital pressure cooker - and it is absolutely fanatastic, including for using good, healthy foods and using everything you buy (I even made a lovely rice pudding last week!). They are not expensive to buy in the fist place and places like Ideal World/High Street TV split the payments if you want. I can't remember where I got my first one from, but got another fom Curry's during lockdown, and it cost even less that the first - which was £59.99 I think. (That was to have two, not because #1 had failed.)
I love mine, use it every day - just made "Chicken" (Quorn) in white wine with green beans and brown rice. On a timer, it will set itself going in about an hour and then cook for a little while and then go to keep warm. I also made lasagne in it last week, which came out very nice :o)

As for getting your clothes dry - I think they had it right when those racks were suspended in the kitchen, close to the ceiling! All of my heat goes up the stairs due to being open plan. I think you find warmest, or least cold, spot and set up a nice airer and put stuff on with plenty of space between, of course, some fabrics willtake longer - I wear a lot of lycra which comes out of the machine almost dry :o)

I am happy to do more sums if you need, if you are still hesitant to submit x

Thank you so much to everyone.

@LoveMyPiano yea my display is shit basically! I hate it and the location I mean who the fuck puts a meter up there?!

I have ocd which also impacts me getting readings I shall be able to check the gas again a week after todays check. Get an idea where I am with the heating though I'm fiddling with the temp. I've got it on 19° at mo but that feels too warm. What do people have theirs on?

Not a fan of pressure cookers due to an incident as a child. I have a slow cooker though which you have just reminded me of I shall dig that out and start using it again.

I'm veggie and use quorn a fair bit too plus veg only dishes and other meat subs.

Haha yes my grans had the pulley airers far more sensible than how we do things now, I've a good airer but yes certain things (evil eyes all things denim) take bloody ages to dry! I maybe need alternative clothing? Any suggestions for warm trousers that dry quick folks?

Thank you so much for offering to do more sums for me.

I'm usually not too bad at arithmetic but I get so anxious with this my brain shuts down!

If you have a desk fan / stand fan then you can run that by the clothes airer to keep the air moving and that will help clothes dry faster.

A 30w fan costs about 1p per hour to run (will use 1kWh of electricity if run for 33 hours).