Is My Energy Usage High Or Low?
The sad truth is that we use more and more electricity with every passing day. And the numbers support that. The average electricity bill in the UK has doubled in the past 10 years, and reached a £754 in 2014.
We can only assume it will go up from there. The question people ask is the following “Is my energy usage high or low”. We talk about energy efficiency on a daily basis. You hear it all the time, be more efficient, be more efficient, and so on.
But the real question is, if your energy consumption is low, how much efficient can you be? With that in mind, let’s explore the differences between high and low energy consumption, and how it reflects in your bills.
The Three Main Types Of Energy Consumer
There are actually three types of energy consumer. There are low energy users, high energy users, and those in the middle. So how does the energy usage of each type of consumer compare?
-Low Usage Users:
Well, the average energy user that consumes 2,000kWh electricity and 8,000 kWh of gas per year is a low usage user. These users usually live in one or two bedroom apartments. They live either alone, or with another person.
They work full-time, and spend most of the day outside of the house. They spend energy in the evenings or weekends
-Medium Usage Users:
A medium user consumes 3,1000kWh electricity and 12,500kWh of gas per year. They live in a three to four bedroom apartments or houses. They live with other tenants, or with a small family.
Since there are multiple tenants in the house, the energy consumption is constant.
-High Usage Users:
A high usage user is someone who consumes 4,600kWh electricity and 18,000kWh of gas per year. These users live in big apartments with more than four people, or they are members of a big family.
Since there are many devices plugged in all the time, the daily energy usage is high. Remember, this is just a basic classification. But hopefully, it answers the question, “Is my energy usage high or low?”
Five Main Factors That Affect Your Electricity Bill
There are five main factors that affect your electricity bill. Let’s explore each factor in a little more detail:
Factor No.1# Size Of Your Property
The first influencing factor is the size of your property. A 30 square metre apartment needs less energy to heat the room than a 70 square metre apartment. Nothing you can do there.
Factor No.2# Number Of Occupants
The second factor is the number of people living in the property. When there are just two members, they spend less energy. Five members inevitably spend more. The more people, the more water and energy required for showering.
Factor No.3# Daily Energy Consumption
The third factor is daily energy consumption. Each and every one of us has daily rituals that consume energy. For example, some people start the day with a cup of coffee. Others start with a smoothie. They consume different amounts of energy.
Factor No.4# The Energy Efficiency Of Appliances
The fourth factor is appliances and their energy efficiency. Some appliances are more efficient than others. When buying new appliances, always look at the efficiency factor.
The more efficient ones are more expensive, but more valuable in the long run.
Factor No.5# Current Energy Supplier
The final (and most important) factor that many people forget is their energy supplier. We live in an open and free market. As such, we can choose the product we want, from the company we want.
Competition is healthy and good for consumers, since we get cheaper prices for the same quality. That being said, you can always change your provider.
Five Reasons Why Your Electricity Bill’s So High
There are always hidden reasons behind why your electricity bill’s so high. Before you try to answer the question “Is my energy usage high or low?”, let’s take a look at some reasons your bill is more expensive:
Reason No.1# You Keep Plugged In 24/7
One of the first reasons is because you leave your appliances and electronics plugged in when you’re not using them. Now, that was not a problem some 10 or 15 years ago. However, modern appliances draw electricity even when they are turned off. They consume energy while they are idle and wait for your command.
Reason No.2# Your Appliances Aren’t As Energy Efficient As Possible
Another reason is you use appliances that are energy hogs like dishwashers, clothes dryers and clothes washers. Modern appliances have a low energy consumption program, so use that as much as possible.
Reason No.3# You Misuse Your Lighting
People often misuse lighting nowadays. And that’s sad. The mistake people make is they use lights to affect the brightness of an entire room. This means your electricity bill will be higher.
The best way to utilise lighting is to use it directly to provide illumination to a specific area or room.
Reason No.4# You’re Addicted To Your Gadgets
In this modern world we live in, we have so many devices that require charging. Just look around your home. You probably have a laptop, tablet, cell phone, mp3 player, electronic razors, electronic toothbrushes, and similar devices.
The more tech-oriented you are, the more likely you will have these devices plugged in and charging.
Reason No.5# Your Appliances Are In Serious Need Of An Update
Last, but not least, we have the simple reason of using appliances past their prime. Using old appliances is the single biggest reason your electricity bill is high.
Yes, not everyone can afford to buy new appliances. But it is better to get a credit card, loan, or pay in installments, than to use old appliances.
How Can You Save Some Money?
There is a reason people want to be in the category of low energy users. The less energy you consume, the lower your electricity bill is overall.
And while the classification offers some insights on property and family members, you can still lower your usage substantially-even if you live in a three bedroom apartment.
So…we’ve explored the reasons why your electricity bill is high. But did you know that there’s a simple solution that can save you money in a matter of minutes? Keep listening…
It’s a free market, and therefore your choice to go with a company that gives you better value for money.
And in that spirit, we encourage you to think of other providers and energy suppliers. Switching to a different supplier is easy, and you can do it in just 10 minutes. The best part is you can do it online.
