How much power do you use?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › How much power do you use?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... | 8

3885 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1749

#1790655 28-May-2017 14:56

Typically around $30 - $35 per week with Flick Electric in Auckland. Although had a really large week Of $45 where I used 270 units in just 1 week. Was because I was using electric heating instead of my oil boiler based central heating system.

Main thing to check is if you are on the correct plan out of standard user or low user. The cutoff is 8000 units per year or 666 units per month. If you are on the wrong one you will be massively overpaying for your power.

Jase2985

13734 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6209

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1790659 28-May-2017 15:07

Family of 4, 2 adults 2 children under 5, averaging 25kwh per day, so about 9100kwh a year, electric everything. DVS and PC running 24/7 no dish washer

danfaulknor

974 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 533

Trusted

Prodigi

Subscriber

#1790662 28-May-2017 15:18

Last 3 months were:

1327 - $275
1066 - $225
853 - $181

Two person household. Electric heating. Dryer gets used a fair bit in winter.

Base load is about 700W

they/them

Prodigi - Optimised IT Solutions
WebOps/DevOps, Managed IT, Hosting and Internet/WAN.

redmouse

69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#1790666 28-May-2017 15:48

In the last two months we have averaged $92.50 a month with ElectricKiwi. We paid for about 228 kWh and consumed another 156 kWh for free during the 'Hour of Power'.

Older house with retro fitted wall and roof space insulation. Two adults, one teenager. 3kW of grid tied solar, production has been really dismal, seems like we have been stuck in the doldrums for months now. Electric water heating, timer to come on during the day and the HoP.

We are pretty happy with our switch to ElectricKiwi.

tchart

2397 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 579

ID Verified

Trusted

#1790670 28-May-2017 16:04

Thanks all for the replies.

Yes we are currently considering electric Kiwi as we are with a big retailer (but by all accounts not the worst one). Electric Kiwi says we'd save around $800 a year so looks like we will switch. I was waiting to see if the usage dropped over summer but it didn't.

Besides the cost I've always suspected something isn't right (hot water). Based on the comparisons with others we're probably using more than average. I might do a few systematic things to try and isolate the problem.

alasta

6891 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3365

Trusted

Subscriber

#1790674 28-May-2017 16:17

tchart: Thanks all for the replies.

Besides the cost I've always suspected something isn't right (hot water). Based on the comparisons with others we're probably using more than average. I might do a few systematic things to try and isolate the problem.

This is definitely worth checking. When I moved into this place the pressure relief valve was faulty and it was continuously dumping hot water, and consequently consuming about 30 Kwh per day. It seems likely that the previous tenant didn't notice and was naive enough to keep paying enormous power bills without investigating!

andrewNZ

2487 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1461
Inactive user

#1790699 28-May-2017 16:43

2 adults 1 toddler.

Electric hot water and wetback fire. Bath used every night and filled far more than I think is necessary.
Electric hob and oven, oven is used @ 3 nights a week.
Dishwasher used every day at least once.
Washing machine used most days at least once.
Electric heater in the baby's room set @ 18 degC.
Electric towel rail has a timer.
Very limited dryer use, maybe once every 2-3 weeks.
A couple of computers on an average of 16ish hours a day.
LED lights throughout the house.

Averaging 25-30 units a day (197 last week cost $45).

andrewNZ

2487 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1461
Inactive user

#1790703 28-May-2017 16:56

Things to check.

Hot water leaks. If it's low pressure hot water, check there is no overflow onto the roof, if it's high pressure find the relief drain. Also check for leaking taps
Hot water insulation.
Hot water usage and habits. People using the hot tap when cold will do.
Fridge/freezer operation. Stuffed seals or thermostat can drive up the bill quick.
The number of lights in use at any one time.
Sensor light operation.

cddt

1970 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1905

#1790733 28-May-2017 17:45

tchart: Thanks all for the replies.

Yes we are currently considering electric Kiwi as we are with a big retailer (but by all accounts not the worst one). Electric Kiwi says we'd save around $800 a year so looks like we will switch. I was waiting to see if the usage dropped over summer but it didn't.

Besides the cost I've always suspected something isn't right (hot water). Based on the comparisons with others we're probably using more than average. I might do a few systematic things to try and isolate the problem.

I would also check the dryer usage. Just using the line as often as possible (even through winter) should help.

wellygary

8813 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5293

#1790748 28-May-2017 18:39

tchart: Thanks all for the replies.

Yes we are currently considering electric Kiwi as we are with a big retailer (but by all accounts not the worst one). Electric Kiwi says we'd save around $800 a year so looks like we will switch. I was waiting to see if the usage dropped over summer but it didn't.

Besides the cost I've always suspected something isn't right (hot water). Based on the comparisons with others we're probably using more than average. I might do a few systematic things to try and isolate the problem.

your Kwh usage seems high,

Given that you have LEDs, - you have eliminated one of the "big 4"

The others to check are "heating" - how long/often are you running the heat pumps?

What sort of appliances have you got, am old beer fridge or chest freezer will push up your usage..

but the big kicker to check is hot water, what temp is the cylinder set at, how water are you using? baths every day, or short showers...

mugs2000

66 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 28
Inactive user

#1790772 28-May-2017 18:57

Typically, we use 350 to 400 units per month, with usage being relatively stable throughout the year as we use a wood burner. Our electricity charge is $0.41c/unit. More, because Aurora in Otago has been slack with line maintenance the line usage charge looks like going out of control over the next few years, it may be time to go off-grid. Does anyone have any information as to whether one should go completely off-grid with large battery reserves, or use the method whereby you sell back unused power back to the supplier, or some combination of both methods?

PS we have an electric 8kWhr califont shower so we need periodic high usage power for 15 mins/day.

pchs

187 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 46

#1790778 28-May-2017 19:04

Hi,

Very high user here, around 4000 kWh per month, but its actually reasonably efficient with a $500-$600 power bill per month. average cost is around 6-7c / kWh

Usage, underfloor in slab heating (element) - heating pool (Heat Pump) country so pumping water - all of this is timed to run at night and weekends so makes use of the very cheap Orion rates, combined with Flick Electric.

2kW of solar, although needs to be upgraded, with potentially a Victron Quattro investor/charger and 20kV battery in the future.

Efergy Engage dashboard

richms

29104 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10219

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1790802 28-May-2017 20:31

$300 - $350 a month. Aquarium takes a crapload of that, "servers" some more.

Richard rich.ms

jamesrt

1666 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 946

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1790806 28-May-2017 20:38

For the year from 4th May 2016 to 3 May 2017, we used 6033KWh.

Modern (3 year old) house, well insulated, double-glazed. Heat Pumps in main living area; there is a 700watt panel heater in the main bedroom, and a 1.2Kw heater in the teenager's room. The family rule tends to be heaters allowed between Easter and Labour weekend.

Chest freezer and drinks fridge in garage. We tend to use the dryer only occasionally; washing is usually dried outside on fixed lines; one is undercover.

Gas hot water only; induction hob and electric oven(s). Multiple devices charging overnight; a couple of things running all the time (like the NAS, etc). 100 liter "semi-tropical" fish tank (water runs around 28 degrees except when the heater goes mad and cooks the fish....)

Also, we entertain a fair bit, and have guests (family) a lot; so many weekends there will be 6 or 7 people and a larger-than-usual amount of cooking.

blackjack17

1713 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 865

#1790809 28-May-2017 20:50

$100 to $150 a month

Wood burner heater only user dryer when need to 3 people.

Have a heat pump but never use it

Auckland

Electric kiwi signup credit Sharesies credit

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... | 8