Whats "normal" usage?

nilim

Slightly odd question, but are there any examples of typical Electricity usages?

I live alone in a 1 bed appt and often think my bills are relatively high but I dont really know what would be considered typical. It's quite likely that my bills are normal but I am just curious.

thanks

Electric Ireland: Una

Hi nilim,

Thank you for getting in touch.

There are average annual electricity usage figures given on various websites, however these tend to relate to households of four or more people.

It is a tricky one to gauge because it is quite individualised and depends on the usage habits at the property (what appliances are used - for example, whether there is a clothes dryer or dishwasher, whether the customer has a television or just uses their laptop or mobile device, whether the customer uses a games console or not, how much time is spent at the property, etc).

For heating, it depends on the size of the property and what type of heating the customer has (e.g. electrical heating costs more than gas or oil heating).

In general, though, water and space heating is what causes the most consumption. The washing-machine and the electric shower are high consumption appliances, as is the kettle.

Electric Ireland has an appliance calculator called My Energy Pal, which provides customers with a relatively accurate gauge of their usage, as it allows you to input the details of appliances used, and how much they are used.

Apartments tend to have electrical storage heaters, which are high consumption appliances. There should usually be a day/night meter (instead of the standard 24-hour meter) installed for this reason. The day rate has a higher cost than the 24-hour unit rate, but the night rate cost is considerably lower. It is advisable in these cases for the customer to concentrate as much usage as possible during the night rate hours (currently 12 midnight to 9am; 11pm to 8am when the clocks go back).

Things to check on a bill also include: whether it is based on a meter-reading or an estimate, whether the last bill or bills were estimated (if the current one is read) and how many days between bills (this is an average of two months, however it can be longer).

We can tell when a bill is unusually high for sure, and in those cases, it is likely due to a wiring fault or mix-up. This is for investigation by an electrician.

If you would like us to review the relevant Electric Ireland account, please do drop us a private message confirming the account number, stating that you are the account-holder and confirming your name, address and date of birth.

We will respond as soon as possible.

Kind regards,
Una

nilim

Electric Ireland: Una wrote: »

Hi nilim,

Thank you for getting in touch.

There are average annual electricity usage figures given on various websites, however these tend to relate to households of four or more people.

It is a tricky one to gauge because it is quite individualised and depends on the usage habits at the property (what appliances are used - for example, whether there is a clothes dryer or dishwasher, whether the customer has a television or just uses their laptop or mobile device, whether the customer uses a games console or not, how much time is spent at the property, etc).

For heating, it depends on the size of the property and what type of heating the customer has (e.g. electrical heating costs more than gas or oil heating).

In general, though, water and space heating is what causes the most consumption. The washing-machine and the electric shower are high consumption appliances, as is the kettle.

Electric Ireland has an appliance calculator called My Energy Pal, which provides customers with a relatively accurate gauge of their usage, as it allows you to input the details of appliances used, and how much they are used.

Apartments tend to have electrical storage heaters, which are high consumption appliances. There should usually be a day/night meter (instead of the standard 24-hour meter) installed for this reason. The day rate has a higher cost than the 24-hour unit rate, but the night rate cost is considerably lower. It is advisable in these cases for the customer to concentrate as much usage as possible during the night rate hours (currently 12 midnight to 9am; 11pm to 8am when the clocks go back).

Things to check on a bill also include: whether it is based on a meter-reading or an estimate, whether the last bill or bills were estimated (if the current one is read) and how many days between bills (this is an average of two months, however it can be longer).

We can tell when a bill is unusually high for sure, and in those cases, it is likely due to a wiring fault or mix-up. This is for investigation by an electrician.

If you would like us to review the relevant Electric Ireland account, please do drop us a private message confirming the account number, stating that you are the account-holder and confirming your name, address and date of birth.

We will respond as soon as possible.

Kind regards,
Una

Thanks for the reply. Will take a look at the app and go from there.