Electricity costs in 2 bed apartment?

Luker

hi everyone, thinking of buying my first apartment. I only ever lived in houses. What would the average electric bill be for an apartment, it’s about 24 years old, 2 bed rooms, storage heating, BER C1

PSFarrell

I lived in a 1 bed flat with storage heaters till 2023 that was C1. My bills were never more than 100 including cooking. The storage heaters in my place were from the mid 90s but I believe more modern ones are more energy efficent. The only thing about storage heating is if you don't keep an eye on the settings you can run out of heat and the boost mechanism on mine were poor. Handy to get a small fan heater.

Luker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122376672#Comment_122376672

that’s good to know. Thanks very much

SharkMX

We lived in a 50 sqm 1 bed apartment for a few years with storage heating, electric water heating and cooking and electricity bills were at worst about €100 pm in cold winter when we needed heating and about €50pm any other time of year.

We had the storage heaters charge up every night and the place was nice and warm all day. If it was very cold out we would need a fan heater in the evening, but not for too long. Was a normal electric heater in the bedroom as the storage heaters werent allowed in bedrooms. We just set that to 18c all day and all night and it came on when it came on.

Electricity prices have gone up since (That was during covid), so i imagine they would be a bit higher now, though you have smart meters now too.

BER was D1.

tigger123

Lived in various apartments over the years and the electricity/storage heating was always very reasonable.

Apartments are generally covered upstairs and downstairs, and with only one external wall.

Much cheaper than a house to heat, especially with storage heating.

wandererz

Storage heating is the work of the devil. If you are buying new I would recommend replacing them with modern versions or alternatives.

Also factor in running a couple of fan heaters when the storage heaters lose their heat in the evening.

Here is the current forecast for a 2 bed apartment with electricity from Yuno.

What's running are:

2 laptops

1 32 inch monitor

1 65 inch TV

Fridge

Freezer

Water pump when needed

Electric Immersion (we try to only heat between 7am-8am)

Washer/Dryer and Dishwasher

Various other small devices

Lights

Of course, this increases considerably during winter with electric underfloor heating on.

wandererz

As per the above, it's averaging around €32 per week.

First month with the smart meter app, so there's probably standing charge and tax to be added onto the bill.

Luker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122384125#Comment_122384125

this is actually very useful information- thanks so much.

nachouser

Ideally, if you're buying an apartment choose one with south facing windows, and on as high a floor as possible. Goose feather duvets in the bedrooms, you'll probably only need to use the storage heaters in the living areas for a couple of months each year.

Luker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122384942#Comment_122384942

that makes good sense, thank you

SharkMX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122384942#Comment_122384942

Thats the road to a mouldy bedroom.

Heat your apartment properly.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122386142#Comment_122386142

Absolute nonsense. If you're on a higher floor, you get heat from below. We heat the bedroom on perhaps the coldest 2-3 days of the year, air it every day, and not a touch of mould.

drury..

The newer heaters have better storage and you can output the stored heat later in the day

There's no difference in efficiency between them and older storage heaters

SharkMX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122386147#Comment_122386147

Everybody doesnt live in your apartment you know.

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122386225#Comment_122386225

Poster lives in his/her bubble .

Same garbage every thread

Claw Hammer

Electricity is charged by the number of KW hours consumed, not by the number of bedrooms.

SupaCat95

My experience was 10 years ago. I was in a flat on the back end of a chipper. the heat came up through the floor. it was great. Cost me? I cannot remember but it was really very reasonable. Electric fan heaters burn oxygen they don't heat the room the same way an oil filled radiator does. open windows and curtains every day and wipe condensation off glass windows.

Apartments are great for young couples and singles but married with kids really need a house with garden. The middle floors will be noisier but warmer and the top floor will be colder. Spend money on thick heavy curtains for insulation. open windows EVERY day rain or shine.

SupaCat95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122387639#Comment_122387639

"It is and it Aint". Yes it going to be about power consumption but it going to cost a hell of a lot more to heat for a 4 bedroom house than it will a two bedroom flat.

SupaCat95

@wandererz That is all great but the flat may not be suit able for a grond to air fan as it is nearly 25 years old. Most apartments are fairly restrictive by the management company. Its hard to change things in them.

shoegirl

C1 is pretty good considering you have storage heating as BER process takes into account what kind of heating you have, so imagine it isn't wild. If they are older 90s models definitely worth looking at replacing them with a modern type like the Dimplex Quantum or Technotherm that are a bit more "intelligent" than older models. Its likely with a C1 rating the apartment has reasonably good insulation in terms of wall, floors and roof as well as decent windows.

Its still going to be more expensive than oil, gas or heat pumps but you should be ok.

shoegirl

If it has a balcony or outdoor space an air-to-air heat pump might be possible. They are not hugely different from traditional air conditioning. Might also depend on what the management company will allow you to do.

Claw Hammer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122387873#Comment_122387873

It is not necessary to use electricity for heat. Some 2 bed apartments are bigger than 4 bedroom houses. Some 4 bedroom houses are better insulated than some 2 bedroom apartments. It is all about how many KWH are used. Nothing at all to do with the number of bedrooms.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122386238#Comment_122386238

Garbage like

"Thats the road to a mouldy bedroom."

Yeah right.

xyz13

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122386147#Comment_122386147

Same here.

BER A rating. South facing apt, 3rd floor.