Smart Meters and Tariffs

[Dude111]

I wonder whats stopping it from doing so??

Have ya tried a different meter? (Im assuming they have)

[SnoopZ]

I've been away for a week and kept track of my Electricity and Gas usage via the Octopus App. My Electricity daily usage has been around 2kWh and my Gas around 5kWh(this was left on to heat the hot water twice a day). I have an old boiler so maybe I should turn off my hot water and use zero gas when away although it's only costing me 21p a day in Gas usage.

How does this compare to other people's usage when they're away from home for a week? Obviously my Electricity must be from my fridge freezer and when the boiler trips on to heat the hot water mainly.

[Taf]

Originally Posted by Dude111

I wonder whats stopping it from doing so??

Have ya tried a different meter? (Im assuming they have)

They have been changed "several" times, but none can receive a signal or get one through to the nearby masts. But all work when not fitted in place. I strongly belive it's a Faraday Cage effect due to the way the house was built.

[Taf]

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

Gas around 5kWh(this was left on to heat the hot water twice a day). I have an old boiler so maybe I should turn off my hot water and use zero gas when away although it's only costing me 21p a day in Gas usage.

I would set the boiler to only heat water on demand. That would save you a small fortune over time. Upgrading your boiler would really help too.

[SnoopZ]

Originally Posted by Taf

I would set the boiler to only heat water on demand. That would save you a small fortune over time. Upgrading your boiler would really help too.

I don't have an on demand boiler it's 26 years old and have a hot water Megaflow tank for storage, it's not really cost affective for me to spend £5K or whatever changing it but I will do it before gas boilers are banned as I don't want a heat pump.

It's the Electricity usage I'm more interested in comparing when people are away from home for a week, but I can't do anything about that as obviously the freezer stays on.

[Taf]

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

It's the Electricity usage I'm more interested in comparing when people are away from home for a week, but I can't do anything about that as obviously the freezer stays on.

We have a chest freezer and fridge that are usually left on when we are away. The usage is usually just under 20kwh per week, so under 3kwh per day.

[jonbxx]

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

I don't have an on demand boiler it's 26 years old and have a hot water Megaflow tank for storage, it's not really cost affective for me to spend £5K or whatever changing it but I will do it before gas boilers are banned as I don't want a heat pump.

It's the Electricity usage I'm more interested in comparing when people are away from home for a week, but I can't do anything about that as obviously the freezer stays on.

I would check on that. We had a 20+ year old combi boiler that would have cost upwards of £800 to repair so we bit the bullet and bought a new boiler for a smidge over £2000. The savings in gas use was astounding! We reckon the new boiler will pay for itself in under 4 years. That is including spending money on annual servicing to keep the warranty going.

[SnoopZ]

Originally Posted by jonbxx

I would check on that. We had a 20+ year old combi boiler that would have cost upwards of £800 to repair so we bit the bullet and bought a new boiler for a smidge over £2000. The savings in gas use was astounding! We reckon the new boiler will pay for itself in under 4 years. That is including spending money on annual servicing to keep the warranty going.

A few years ago my boiler was repaired for around £800, I did get someone to cost a new boiler and was recommended that as I had a Megaflow I could keep that so would have gone with another conventional boiler to keep it the cost down, so thought about that but decided this time just to get it repaired as I live in a 2 bed house I don't have a huge bill,it's currently £70 a month and this will drop now I'm on the no brainer Tracker Tariff.

If I stay in this house past the decade I will have to get a new boiler fitted as I don't want a heat pump and may not have room for one.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by Taf

They have been changed "several" times, but none can receive a signal or get one through to the nearby masts. But all work when not fitted in place. I strongly belive it's a Faraday Cage effect due to the way the house was built.

Hmmmm thats very interesting that the signal cant get thru!!!

[downquark1]

During the summer I adjust by boiler to only heat water once in the morning (although another time may be best for you).
My tank keeps it warm enough for the rest of the day provided we don't do a lot of washing or bathing.

But if you are away for a week you may as well turn the whole thing off.

[SnoopZ]

Originally Posted by downquark1

During the summer I adjust by boiler to only heat water once in the morning (although another time may be best for you).
My tank keeps it warm enough for the rest of the day provided we don't do a lot of washing or bathing.

But if you are away for a week you may as well turn the whole thing off.

I've never tested only heating the water once, I suspect it'll get rather cool as it'll fill with cold water after showers etc.

I've just calculated my weekly Gas meter £ usage and it's only around £1.40 so I may as well just leave it on as I'm not sure how much Gas would get used to heat the whole tank up from cold on return.

[Sirius]

Just had the mail confirming my smart mini is on its way.

[SnoopZ]

Originally Posted by Sirius

Just had the mail confirming my smart mini is on its way.

Not heard anything about mine, did you signup before or after me?

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

I've never tested only heating the water once, I suspect it'll get rather cool as it'll fill with cold water after showers etc.

I've just calculated my weekly Gas meter £ usage and it's only around £1.40 so I may as well just leave it on as I'm not sure how much Gas would get used to heat the whole tank up from cold on return.

I guarantee it would use less gas overall but it is of course up to you.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

Not heard anything about mine, did you signup before or after me?

I think it may have been before, i signed up in Feb.