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[TheBoy]

Get one of these and go round all your appliances:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plug-In-Power-and-Energy-Monitor/dp/B000Q7PJGW

It is a bit of an eye opener. It's not always true that modern stuff is energy efficient.

Oh, and if you have a Sky box, turn the thing off at the wall. Standby mode on those things is meaningless. It'll be up half the night trying to phone uncle Rupert to spy on you.

How accurate are the monitors that the energy companies give you, that clamp on the incoming 100A feed?

[Kevin Wood]

How accurate are the monitors that the energy companies give you, that clamp on the incoming 100A feed?

Most of them aren't great because they only measure current, so reactive power (which you don't pay for) is counted, and they are poor at estimating your background consumption. (Many devices on standby take very little real power but have large switched mode power supplies just idling, so have a poor power factor.)

The nice thing about plugin devices like this is that you can check individual appliances, and average the consumption over long periods, which is essential if you're measuring a fridge, for example. They also tell you current, voltage, real and reactive power, power factor and kWh used over time.

[Vamps]

Yes, insulation etc only generaly helps gas costs for most GCH houses.

Electricity consumption seems the area to focus, classic 'hidden' consumers can be older fridges/freezers (as the coolant leaks over time the motor ends up running 24/7 and guzzling energy), loft lighting, pond pumps etc, all lower energy users but running for long periods of time.

Hmmmm....what do you reckon a PlayStation, a Wii, a sky box, an LCD TV, a PC and a monitor would use on standby?

Does it matter where your local council's lighting bill is paying for it.

No good up here then, the council are going to turn 5000 street lights off........

[albitz]

They are doing the same in Essex. An open season for criminals. 

[TheBoy]

Yes, insulation etc only generaly helps gas costs for most GCH houses.

Electricity consumption seems the area to focus, classic 'hidden' consumers can be older fridges/freezers (as the coolant leaks over time the motor ends up running 24/7 and guzzling energy), loft lighting, pond pumps etc, all lower energy users but running for long periods of time.

Hmmmm....what do you reckon a PlayStation, a Wii, a sky box, an LCD TV, a PC and a monitor would use on standby?

Does it matter where your local council's lighting bill is paying for it.

No good up here then, the council are going to turn 5000 street lights off........

And here...  ...to save on gas

[Shackeng]

I live in a 4 bed detached house. In the main, there's just me & SWMBO along with guest appearances from my daughter. 

I get both gas & electric from Eon and am currently paying what I think is an inordinate amount for them. I pay £107 (leccy) & £86 (gas) a month. We have two electric showers but don't ever use the tumble dryer. I can't think of anything unusual in our leccy usage compared with what others might use. In the last 12 months I use 18000 kWh of gas & 9000 kWhs of leccy

I'd be interested to hear what others are paying. 

4 Bed detached, 2 old farts only, 19500 KWh gas last year, 3945 KWh Elect. (but I have solar panels.) Currently paying £118 pcm to SSE via M&S, to whom I recently swapped. I change suppliers every year provided I get a better deal.

[Andy B]

I live in a 4 bed detached house. In the main, there's just me & SWMBO along with guest appearances from my daughter. 

I get both gas & electric from Eon and am currently paying what I think is an inordinate amount for them. I pay £107 (leccy) & £86 (gas) a month. We have two electric showers but don't ever use the tumble dryer. I can't think of anything unusual in our leccy usage compared with what others might use. In the last 12 months I use 18000 kWh of gas & 9000 kWhs of leccy

I'd be interested to hear what others are paying. 

4 Bed detached, 2 old farts only, 19500 KWh gas last year, 3945 KWh Elect. (but I have solar panels.) Currently paying £118 pcm to SSE via M&S, to whom I recently swapped. I change suppliers every year provided I get a better deal.

I'll wait to see the results of the meter check & go from there, A swap might be in the offing 

[darrenfos]

mine is near on 70 a week electric 20-30 gas 5 bed detached 

[Sir Tigger KC]

mine is near on 70 a week electric 20-30 gas 5 bed detached

 

[Andy B]

mine is near on 70 a week electric 20-30 gas 5 bed detached

You're supposed to TAKE from the lamp post outside, not feed it! 

[darrenfos]

on key meter but i do have koi pond

[darrenfos]

why is everyone else so cheap

[Entwood]

£157 a month combined Gas & Leccy ... fixed until Dec 2017.. 4 bed end-terraced with a large extension. .. but do get £200 a year from HMG towards it ...  

[Andy B]

on key meter but i do have koi pond

why is everyone else so cheap

have you answered your own question? 

[darrenfos]

i dont know about these things mate all i know is i pay the bugger