From: "Tom Bradbury" 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: Average monthly fuel bills?
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2007 22:01:07 GMT

> I was just talking to my next door neighbour about fuel bills.  We both 
> live in 3 bed semis (connected to each other).  Currently I pay £50 a 
> month for electricity, and £45 a month for gas (which are a touch on the 
> high side, we`re building up a small credit balance).  My neighbour claims 
> to be paying £44 a month for both supplies.  I`m with Ebico who since the 
> price falls aren`t quite the cheapest, but they`re not far off.
>
> In terms of differences, there are 2 people in my house, and 2 adult + 2 
> kids in their house.  We`ve both got double glazing and good loft 
> insulation, and my house has got cavity wall insulation too (not sure if 
> they do).
>
> Is it me, or does £44 a month sound like a strangley low figure for a 
> family that regularly have a big plasma screen TV on?  I know that my 
> house is networked up, but that`s only 2 routers and a couple of switches.
>
> Any suggestions?
>

My electricity is £35 a month and gas is £7 a month.  Has been that for 
years - never in deficit, always in surplus.  Occupancy is two adults no 
kids, two cats.  Mid terrace house and on Economy 7.  Recently worked out 
that 75% of electricity used annually is on Economy 7 rate.  All the water 
heating is electric, but have warm air heating which only needs to be on for 
about 20 minutes and the whole house is toasty hot.  Live in a timber frame 
house (with external brick walls) and even in winter the house is often too 
warm to turn on the central heating.  Do most of dishwashing and laundry 
overnight on Economy 7.  Hardly ever use the tumble dryer except for 
"smalls" - life's too short.  Anything that can be put on a hanger is dried 
on a hanger - saves having to hang it out and saves on electricity (even if 
it would be Econ 7).  One occupant works from home, so PC and two monitors 
on all day and then most of the evening/night when other occupant comes 
home.

I recently heard that LCDs and plasmas use more electricity than CRTs.