High electricity usage in empty flat

Mattrm · 5 Nov 2018

i got the keys for my first home 2 and a half weeks ago and took opening meter readings the day I got the keys. How today I noticed the meter had went up 38 units in the space of and a half weeks even though the property is totally empty. The only things using electricity at the moment are 2 mains operated smoke detectors and a outside light which is on a sensor. However I doubt they would use 38kw of electricity in such a short period of time.

Any ideas??

rsgaz · 5 Nov 2018

Mattrm said:
a outside light which is on a sensor.

Is it a big 500watt flood which gets triggered too easily(i.e. by the wind even)? On for 4 hours a day over 18 days comes to 36kWh(units) exactly.

EFLImpudence · 5 Nov 2018

Just writing similar.

mattylad · 5 Nov 2018

Next door's growbags?
Check the loft space too.

Mattrm · 5 Nov 2018

rsgaz said:
Is it a big 500watt flood which gets triggered too easily(i.e. by the wind even)? On for 4 hours a day over 18 days comes to 36kWh(units) exactly.

No it looks like a compact fluorescent fixture beside the front door (although a neighbor did tell me it’s flickering so presumably needs the bulb replacing)

JohnD · 5 Nov 2018

please photograph your consumer unit and your meter for more clues.

until then

does the meter have a rotating disk? Is it rotating?

Or a red LED. Is it flashing?

Leave the lights turned off as if it was unoccupied when you check.

BTW I have a thermostatically-controlled anti-frost heater to prevent pipes freezing in my garage. Is it cold where you are?

Ordinary porch lamps or security lamps use trivial power as long as you have LEDs or energy-saving lamps in them.

Is there an immersion heater?

JohnD · 5 Nov 2018

Mattrm said:
No it looks like a compact fluorescent fixture beside the front door (although a neighbor did tell me it’s flickering so presumably needs the bulb replacing)

Well take the bulb out for a start.

But CFLs can flicker due to tiny electrical pickup in the cable, so it might not be a faulty bulb.
This causes them to briefly flash on every few seconds to once in a couple of minutes, depending on the "leakage." It is usually not due to a fault but to an interesting wiring effect. In this case, electrical usage is tiny.

rsgaz · 5 Nov 2018

mattylad said:
Check the loft space too.

Good thinking, a 90 watt bulb on continuously would give about that usage. 0.09kW*24hours*18days = 38.88 units

If you have a clamp meter or can borrow one, you can find out which circuit is using these watts and go from there.

Mattrm · 5 Nov 2018

Unfortunately I won’t be back there until Wednesday but I will take photos when I get there. The property has a gas combi boiler (which is unplugged at the moment) so I doubt it could be a immersion heater.

winston1 · 5 Nov 2018

Mattrm said:
Unfortunately I won’t be back there until Wednesday but I will take photos when I get there. The property has a gas combi boiler (which is unplugged at the moment) so I doubt it could be a immersion heater.

An immersion heater is nothing to do with a gas combi boiler. Is the water hot at the taps?

JohnD · 5 Nov 2018

rsgaz said:
If you have a clamp meter or can borrow one, you can find out which circuit is using these watts and go from there.

or by observing the meter while turning MCBs on and off, or removing fuses.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

High electricity usage in empty flat

Similar threads