Re: First Electricity Bill
 

We use those oil-filled electric radiators - with timer and thermostat. They're fine for heating a closed room, the bedroom before you get up or go to bed and aren't that expensive to run specifically when you need heat. We put extra insulation in the roof and walls when we built, plus laminated glass in the windows to cut heat transmission both ways. Use curtains after dark and make sure you let in as much sun as possible during the day. We don't have any aircon, have solar hot water and panels and use about 18kW per day in winter. It's a largish house and we're in for part of most days, plus evenings. Last quarter the electricity company paid us about $250, down from the $400 the previous quarter.

If you're really cold wear a lightweight fleecy and fur (Ugg style) boots :unsure:

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

I still reckon you've been robbed, or are paying the whole street's leccy. $300 for one month (of light usage to boot!) is $3,600 a year - no bloody way.

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

Frankly, I'm surprised she hasn't tripped over the cable leading to my caravan :sneaky::D

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

:lol:

STOP THIEF!!

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

Most likely next doors has tapped into the supply to grow some hydro:eek:

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

My money is on the meter being dodgy, or not being read before you took on the account. It'll be there somewhere. Mine is in the garage of the unit at the far end of the block from me, and I can only get to it when their garage is open :confused: My gas meter is behind some bushes under the next door unit. Have a good look and get the electric company out to check it over.

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

At that price it sounds like a meth lab

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

I did a house rewire for a friend a few years back - new board, the works. Had the old board out, and the main fuses and was taking all the covers off switches and sockets when I got a shock. A socket in one of the bedrooms was supplied by the house next door :eek:

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

It sounds like you have it sorted there Lesley. Good for you.

I try and let as much sun in as I can during the day, it's not mega hot here so it doesn't become unbearable either. (Yet)




I know spouse, and the next bill will more than likely be half again on top. Then when winter comes, well, we will probably go bankrupt. Lol
We are out of this house ASAP, unfortunately though we have signed for year. So not sure how we are going to go about it yet. As i'm talking to you right now, I've no hot water, hadn't had any since Saturday, no cooker. As the new cooker that they came to fit, didn't fit. So still waiting. Hopefully they will be here today.

My mothers flying in from England to stay with us for 5 weeks. She arrives tomorrow night. Hope it's sorted by then.


Thanks Polly. I found it, down the side of the garage, there's two meters for some reason. I'll speak with the company today.
That's a bit of a bummer your meter being where it is isn't it? I suppose as long as your your bill is right It doesn't matter too much though.

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

Electricty in Australia has gone up enormously in recent years but that still seems high to me. I do have friends that regularly pay $1000 a quarter so it is possible. I would be questioning it.

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

:eek: That kind of practice was probably common years ago where often a landlord would own several houses in a terrace, live in one and rent out the others, I bet the poor original tenants next door got high electricity bills.:sneaky:

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

One meter for normal supply and the 2nd for what may be called off peak, but depending on what State you are in, often runs 18 hours per day for the hot water.
Having 2 or 3 meters is normal.

Your Off Peak Usage is weird, way too high, and that may only be the water heater. That may not be working properly.

Check the off peak meter every hour for 2 or 3 hours and see how much it changes. Then, if you can, turn off the water heater, and check again.

That picture of the air con/water tank looks like the same type of water heater I used. Mine seemed to never turn off till I got it fixed.

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

Interesting you mention the water heater as we've had problems with it and it stopped working completely. We called a plumber out who told us it hadn't been touched (upgraded/checked) since the day it was fitted.
I'll try those checks and see what happens. What do you mean by it never seemed to turn off?

Thanks.

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

Continuous boiling rather than boiling when the water needs boiling.

Re: First Electricity Bill
 

Yep. Molly, how hot is/was the water from the hot water tap. If it's scalding then that'll probably be your problem. Either the thermostat is broken or it's set so high that even at boiling it never reaches the "now switch off" temperature.