Combating energy prices

ci_newman said:
You're talking pennies though, the best thing to do is to target all of the constant low-draw devices instead e.g. Sky STB, NAS, leaving phone chargers in the wall, high-energy bulbs
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Yes but boiling a kettle twice per day instead of 6 times per day will quickly add up over a year. Already done the unplugging of everything when not in use.
 
Im using 3.5 kWh per day on average, measured over a two month period now.

All I have running continuously are:
* fridge freezer
* virgin tv box (standby, eco mode)
* wifi router
* LG 55" tv (standby)
* WD NAS device (should have an eco mode)
* Home alarm system (never used, but don't know how to disconnect it)

Used regularly are:
* PC/laptop
* Washing machine
* Oven
* Lights
* TV/Virgin box

Can I get my baseload down?
 
I wouldn't worry about your daily consumption as that reflects lifestyle usage. Can you work out your standing idle consumption? It sounds like you've cut it back already, I must have 30-50 devices plugged in on standby. And no I won't be going around unplugging them all, it would be a massive strain on my quality of life for no gain.
 
LuckyBenski said:
I wouldn't worry about your daily consumption as that reflects lifestyle usage. Can you work out your standing idle consumption? It sounds like you've cut it back already, I must have 30-50 devices plugged in on standby. And no I won't be going around unplugging them all, it would be a massive strain on my quality of life for no gain.
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The cost in electricity will put a strain on your quality of life unless you earn more than 80k a yr in London.
 
Mickie said:
The cost in electricity will put a strain on your quality of life unless you earn more than 80k a yr in London.
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I just don't agree there. All my various standby devices etc can't add up to more than a few tens of watts. So we're talking £4-6 a month. Well, for £10/month I'm happy not to constantly dig around to plug my phone charger back in, find the switch for my washing machine, and waste time turning 20 things off at bedtime. We're talking the difference between boiling an extra cup of tea once per day, which ive always been careful not to waste energy on.

It's a case of penny wise pound foolish IMO, any serious consumers of energy get turned off or replaced. For context I'm on less than half that, not that it's really relevant... Is 80k in London different to 80k in Skegness?
 
You might be surprised, after I had a working IHD, I measured all my standby stuff.

Xbox Series S - officially this should only consume about 1-2 watts in energy saving mode, mine consumes circa 20w. Now unplugged.
Modem and WAP/Routers combined about 25w.
NAS with hdd never spinning down (converted low energy PC) about 45w, after letting drives spin down 21W.
Bathroom LED light, over 20w.
Washing machine standby (flashing idle light) 19w.
STB satellite TV, 18W, 32W when recording.
Laptop consumes 10w when plugged in powered on or not even with full battery.

PS5 consumes only about 1.5w on standby.
Chargers fine when not charging or trickle charge.

130W 24/7 is about £1.50 day £45 month if paying 50p unit.
 
chrcoluk said:
You might be surprised, after I had a working IHD, I measured all my standby stuff.

Xbox Series S - officially this should only consume about 1-2 watts in energy saving mode, mine consumes circa 20w. Now unplugged.
Modem and WAP/Routers combined about 25w.
NAS with hdd never spinning down (converted low energy PC) about 45w, after letting drives spin down 21W.
Bathroom LED light, over 20w.
Washing machine standby (flashing idle light) 19w.
STB satellite TV, 18W, 32W when recording.
Laptop consumes 10w when plugged in powered on or not even with full battery.

PS5 consumes only about 1.5w on standby.
Chargers fine when not charging or trickle charge.

130W 24/7 is about £1.50 day £45 month if paying 50p unit.
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Your series s was probably updating at that time or in Istanbul on mode. You don't need to unplug it, there's an off option. I'm the bathroom light is nothing to worry about, I've got 4x24w leds in my kitchen but they're not on fir that long so doesn't really matter. I'm not convinced that turning everything off really saves much tbh. On a gas related note, are combis cheaper than traditional boilers in big houses? We were discussing it at work as someone wants to (when he buys his next house) rip out the traditional boiler and fit a combination (in a new build) to save money. I've told him its stupid as the savings will be minimal imo.
 
Pointless if the normal boiler is working fine, Combi could be slightly more efficient but that buys a lot of gas!
 
Switched off and emptied the hot tub. That in itself will cushion most of the increase for us. Base draw seems to be about 200-300w for our property whatever I do. I guess router, fridge, cctv and alarm systems add up. I’ve unplugged a load of standby devices and will switch over sky to eco. Have reduced the timings of some of our auto lights and have dialled back the dehumidifier in my gym. Don’t think I can do much else. I could mostly live without heating in the winter, but my wife will no doubt crank it up.
 
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theone8181 said:
Your series s was probably updating at that time or in Istanbul on mode. You don't need to unplug it, there's an off option. I'm the bathroom light is nothing to worry about, I've got 4x24w leds in my kitchen but they're not on fir that long so doesn't really matter. I'm not convinced that turning everything off really saves much tbh. On a gas related note, are combis cheaper than traditional boilers in big houses? We were discussing it at work as someone wants to (when he buys his next house) rip out the traditional boiler and fit a combination (in a new build) to save money. I've told him its stupid as the savings will be minimal imo.
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Mine cant be turned off via the menu, might be bugging out, if I select the shutdown option it still sits in standby, with the external hdd activity light flashing every few seconds and consuming 20w. I tried a lot of things and the only way I could keep it from sucking juice and shut the activity light was to pull the power.

On boilers I am lost, I have seen modern boilers in action where the pilot light is off when idle, and if you want hot water it turns itself on, on demand. I dont know what type of boiler that is, mine is apparently a combi (condenser?) but the pilot light is on 24/7 and it cant heat water on demand it needs to be turned on to pre heat it.
 
dirtychinchilla said:
Can I ask what kit you actually installed on the boiler? I have a Vailant and really want to add weather comp to it, but Vailant’s £300+ kit doesn’t make it appealing.



Lower flow temp and lower flow rate = lower energy consumption.
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I fitted the Vailant Vsmart controller, approx. £190 and picks up the temperature via the internet. Had it fitted for the last four years and works well.
 
Dirk Diggler said:
Boiling 1/4 kettle instead of 3/4 kettle would save much more than switching off a standby LED and a phone charger draws zero when it's plugged into the wall with no phone connected.
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Precisely. Anything used to generate heat is prime target. The rest is just crumbs.

Showers, central heating, cooker etc.

Lights should all be LED. and modern tvs use about 100w. Do a sweep of vampire devices though after that don't stress yourselves with micro managing a few Watts here and there.
 
I’ve unplugged a load of things including XSX, gaming TV, PS5, PC, both Sky boxes into Eco. Down to 120-200W draw, the lowest I’ve seen us use I think. That’s more like it.

The wife seems in agreement about putting a few layers on before opting for heating too. Result. I also don’t heat the main rooms that I use in the house and keep the doors closed, although no idea how much of a difference that makes.
 
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kona786 said:
Precisely. Anything used to generate heat is prime target. The rest is just crumbs.

Showers, central heating, cooker etc.

Lights should all be LED. and modern tvs use about 100w. Do a sweep of vampire devices though after that don't stress yourselves with micro managing a few Watts here and there.
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I can see on my 30 min readings when I use the kettle as of course the spike stands out.

Usually my kettle is between about half full and 2/3 when I fill it (to the max line not entire kettle). I dont like it too low as is effort for me to keep refilling excessively, but an observation I made is that if I fill it all the way vs half full, it isnt double boiling time, its about an extra 20% (from cold, timed it). However a fuller kettle keeps the water hot for longer. So I can have a second coffee without needing to reheat it and maybe even a 3rd. So I think any saving is not as big as is hyped up to be, but I suppose other kettles might have bigger gains on full vs half full. I dont usually completely fill it though unless I know I need all of it at once.
 
kona786 said:
Precisely. Anything used to generate heat is prime target. The rest is just crumbs.

Showers, central heating, cooker etc.

Lights should all be LED. and modern tvs use about 100w. Do a sweep of vampire devices though after that don't stress yourselves with micro managing a few Watts here and there.
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All ours lights, indoors and out are LED.

I’ll also aim for shorter showers.

I only boil the water I need for cooking in the kettle, rather than boiling it on the gas hob, no idea if this is better or not.

Ive also now turned down the hot water setting by one notch on the boiler, again, no idea what difference this makes.

I’ll probably shorten the timers of the central heating too, warming it up less when we’re not home.
 
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