Originally Posted by BristolUK (Post 12725862)

Similar pattern here

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...06ef05850c.png

You may be surprised at how much the AC costs. When we first moved our monthly bills were around $170 but when we used AC most days around $350 and $450 when heating used.

Heat pump system

Originally Posted by Caro90 (Post 12726014)

This is the water heater.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...0dd7b50b92.jpg
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Automatic storage heater... Gas type "natural". So would that still use (a lot of) electricity? 🤔

Originally Posted by thistlehollyberry (Post 12726084)

That is a gas water heater and shouldn't use much electricity. It is likely the air conditioner that is using the power.

Originally Posted by Caro90 (Post 12726007)

Thank you. I have gone around the house and closed around five unnecessarily open dampers. They are pretty rubbish (old?) though so there is still some air coming through. Do you think it would be worthwhile standing a box on top of those vents just to make sure they're properly blocked?

Originally Posted by BristolUK (Post 12726216)

Coincidentally I read something about that a few days ago. It can help...but not on the return ones that don't blow ;)


This is where you think to yourself "It's set to cool down to 23c and it's only going to use up power when it's blowing cool air" but is in fact still running.

It's not using as much electrickery when not blowing but still using some. The outside unit thingy stops and starts even if no air is blowing at those times for example.

Ceiling fans are supposed to be good for circulating the air (when heating or cooling) allowing a lower or higher setting.

Other things to do include window blinds to keep the heat from the sun out of rooms. When you've been here in the winter and you can feel the heat from the sun through the windows, even though it's 30 below outside, you get to appreciate how much heat you can feel from the sun and that tells you blocking it out (shame though that may be) helps keeping the room cooler.

I have also found that turning the AC off completely, keeping the windows closed, you can maintain a comfortable temperature for a few hours anyway. This will depend on outside humidity and whether the sun is up yet or whether you're in an extended period of humidity/heat. You just have to experiment and be flexible.

I find AC is sometimes needed for the night only (for sleeping), other times for evening only with the outside air cooling things off for night and then there are days when it may be on 24/7 for an extended period.

Originally Posted by Caro90 (Post 12725800)

This may be a bit of how long is a piece of string but I am wondering if anyone has any advice or experience on this.

We moved to Ottawa a couple of months ago and I noticed that our electricity bill seemed relatively high. I then noticed that we used 1,111 kwh of electricity in 29 days which is around 3 times as much as we did in the UK.

We haven't changed any habits or anything like that. We try to use the air con as little as possible and when it's cheaper ie off peak. We charge laptops and phones, and do our washing overnight when it's cheaper etc. We had the hot water tank on medium high before so turned that down to low in case it made a difference but we still used 44 kwh in 24 hours.

The house is a 4 bed place with a basement. There is me, my husband and our toddler. We are sort of at a loose end now as to what could use so much electricity. Also, interestingly, even though all the electricity we consciously use (like charging stuff etc) is off peak, the usage of off, mid and on peak electricity is as if we did not try to use it at off peak at all. That makes me think it's something that's on permanently...

Sorry for the rambling! I hope that makes some sense. Thank you!

Originally Posted by Mike Gas (Post 12726785)

That water heater uses zero electricity as there is no electrical supply connected to it.;)

But it looks like it is or has been leaking water but the stains on the floor, would recommend you get someone to check it out

Originally Posted by Edo (Post 12727750)

The basics first, have you checked whats printed on your bill against the electricity meter? Just like the utility companies back home some Canadian providers also love to calculate bills based on estimates.