Storage heater bills are incredibly high!

[Katie Bradley]

Hi all, I hope someone can help me with any useful advice which is easy to follow.

I live in a one bed flat and use minimal energy (at work, socializing, dining out) I dont leave lights on etc when away. Have no PC equipment etc running. Have all other stuff turned off except fridge, one radiator (comes on when it comes on, not sure looking at the old timer on it tho!)
However my bills are £140 plus each month.
I cant afford this and the energy firm are not helping.
can anyone help at all please?

thanks Katie

 

[ETAF]

Are the storage heaters on a seperate circuit - connected to a Economy 7 meter ?

So you get 2 charges at different KWH rates

also the storage heaters are timed and only come on at night ?
OR can then also come on during the day

Make. note of the meter reading around 8/9 am and again in evening 5/8pm ish
see what the meter is using in a typical day

are you working from home - or out all day

Make and model of the heaters

Any other heaters On during the day
Electric shower
Electric cooker , oven

maybe some photos of the meter cupboard, including all the equipment in there

photos of the storage heater controls / make model

What KWH are you using on the bill ?
maybe a photo of that -BUT, NOT with any of your details , name / account number / meter serial number

 

[just pumps]

Look at the last bill Katie, what tariff are you on, could you look at a cost comparison site without signing a two year contact for a cheaper deal.

 

[BlueLoo]

Storage heaters provide heat during the day when you are not there...
Turn them off and buy a cheap fan heater from Lidl.

 

[JP_]

If economy 7, then now day time electricity is pretty expensive, and a fridge might be using a lot.
If not, then storage heaters might not be the best option.
£140 seems very high for a flat, my electric bill (not heating or water, have gas) is £120, but I have 4 computers, washer, drier, dishwasher, hairdryers etc.

If you have a washing machine and tumble drier on a lot, this will use a lot of energy.

 

[aptsys]

Something not right there, we have pretty heavy use, a couple of A/C units, electric cooking, servers etc. Electricity for us is £200 per month.

Look at the last bill Katie, what tariff are you on, could you look at a cost comparison site without signing a two year contact for a cheaper deal.

Not much chance of switching to anything meaningful at the moment. Variable is probably the lowest rate of all.

 

[JP_]

Economy 7 will cost more if you are at home during the day and using electricity during the day.
If on E7 you really must do all washing etc at night when the tariff is cheaper.
But maybe not E7 so irrelevant.

 

[JP_]

this is interesting.
https://www.confused.com/gas-electricity/guides/appliances-how-much-do-yours-cost-to-run

We have 2 games consoles, and they must have them running and on for more than this .. so probably costing me £20 a month now!

 

[ETAF]

for the last few years , we have used 10KWh per day, works out at £60 a month - BUT looking to see that rise once off a fixed rate

Average is around £60 per month , 23p per KWh & 16p per day , that was on a fixed rate before all these issues started
Heating is GAS
so combined average around £100 a month - full bill
Large 3 Bed Bungalow
we cook on gas hob, but 2 electric ovens - and have loads of electrical stuff on all day , and we are here ALL day most of the time now retired.

2 Fridges , 2 Freezers , various TV's, PC's , Lights are all LED , but often some are on all day
Washing machine is on pretty much everyday - typically a 1.5hr was
Also Dryer used frequently
Electric shower 10Kw used every day

So your £140 is highish , BUT as asked earlier need to see the details before any real answers can be given on your specific issues

 

[flameport]

£140 plus each month.

Are those based on actual usage, or some estimated mess?

 

[Guitarguy]

Last time I looked at changing mums tariff a couple of months ago I just couldn’t find one that had a cheaper night rate, it used to be something like 14p day 9p night per unit but now it’s the same or very close for night and day rate and that’s 20p+ a unit. I’d check your tariff and now much you’re paying per unit for For day/night rates and work it out from there. I know it’s gone stupid expensive recently

 

[Diver Fred]

Is your meter and Consumer Unit (fuse box) inside your flat or in another part of the building? How many circuits are in your CU? Do know how to read a meter? If not see link. Is the building purposed designed as flats or is it an old building that has been converted?

 

[Katie Bradley]

Are the storage heaters on a seperate circuit - connected to a Economy 7 meter ?

So you get 2 charges at different KWH rates

also the storage heaters are timed and only come on at night ?
OR can then also come on during the day

Make. note of the meter reading around 8/9 am and again in evening 5/8pm ish
see what the meter is using in a typical day

are you working from home - or out all day

Make and model of the heaters

Any other heaters On during the day
Electric shower
Electric cooker , oven

maybe some photos of the meter cupboard, including all the equipment in there

photos of the storage heater controls / make model

What KWH are you using on the bill ?
maybe a photo of that -BUT, NOT with any of your details , name / account number / meter serial number

I have 1 meter which is outside my flat
I am on eco7


My heater generally come on in the morning and then go off the rest of the day. It does have a time switch on it but it look quite old so im not sure if it is set right. I have turned off all my heaters atm cus I am just worried about the bill. So currently sitting in the cold.

I will make a note of the readings in at those times.

I will add pics of my heaters so you can see,

 

[Katie Bradley]

I have 1 meter which is outside my flat
I am on eco7


My heater generally come on in the morning and then go off the rest of the day. It does have a time switch on it but it look quite old so im not sure if it is set right. I have turned off all my heaters atm cus I am just worried about the bill. So currently sitting in the cold.

I will make a note of the readings in at those times.

I will add pics of my heaters so you can see

My flat is an old converted church.

My fuse box is inside I have 2.

I leave my house at 7 am and get home at around 6pm I then go to the gym most evenings so all in all spend around 2 hours a day at home awake.
I do about 3 max loads of washing per week.

so i just can not understand why it is so high

I really appreciate everyone taking time out to give me advice, thank you


Read more: https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/storage-heater-bills-are-incredibly-high.586929/#ixzz7LGUA2Uds

 

[ETAF]

ECO7 - will have 2 readings on the meter - maybe 3 , selected from a button , depending on meter
Normal Reading
E7 Reading
TOTAL
sure there are lots of other, perhaps a photo
The storage heaters on on a separate fuse box / consumer
But my Aunt who is all storage heaters and recently changed them all - and then called me after the event !!!!
a couple of the old storage heaters were on a timer plugged into the socket - as that socket was part of the new kitchen extension and new circuit and on 24hrs - hence the timer to only have on overnight
others in the older house on dedicated circuits and times from the main meter cupboard - large timeclock

but all may be very different for you , hence photos can help

It does have a time switch on it but it look quite old so im not sure if it is set right.

what has a timeswitch ? main one in meter cupboard or one on each storage heater

Also a copy of bill / not personal details though - and if estimated readings