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Rank 2
January 16, 2025

Exhaust Heat Pump: Why are my bill's so high?

  • January 16, 2025
  • 54 replies
  • 1482 views

Hi all. First post on here and I need some help if possible please?

I’ve moved into an ‘A’ energy rating flat which comes with solar panels and a heat pump installed. I was told that bills are very low. The heat pump is by ModulAir.

However, and especially in the last couple of weeks, some days have seen sky high prices.

I live on my own and I don’t really use an excessive amount of electricity...I think anyway. TV is maybe on for 2 hours a day. I take one, 5 minute shower per day. I don’t use the dishwasher and will use the washing machine, on a one hour cycle, at most two times a week. I have two Amazon Alexas in the flat too. No EV charging either.

When I first moved in the daily price was roughly £2.50 for the electricity. I went away for work for two weeks and turned everything off in the flat. But I was still charged about £2.50 a day. When I got back and started to turn things on my daily charge went up to about £5.50...and I had nothing different in the flat. Then recently it’s gone wild with some days at £12! One of those days I had the tv on for about 7 hours but everything was the same.

My heating is steady throughout the day. 21c for 90 mins in the morning, then down to 17c during most of the day. Up to 19c between 6.30pm-10pm and then 15c during the night.

I can’t work out why my prices are so high. At the current rate I will be paying £200 a month for one person in a flat which has a heat pump and solar panels. I’m thinking this can’t be right.

Is there anyone who could help me with this please? My property management team don’t seem bothered. OVO are sending out someone to check the accuracy of the meter but will charge me £150.

Sorry for the long post. If anyone could offer some advice then I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks. Josh

54 replies

juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
January 17, 2025

I think that’s indicating the heating is on (unless the other screen which showed the “boiler” Element is also ON which would be the hot water immersion heater). 
I’ve found yet another web page for you !! https://knowledgebase.jouleuk.co.uk/uk/modul-air-user-manual You may already have this manual but it mentions the filter and the fact that it reduces efficiency if it needs changing. I’d get a new filter in now as you may find it lowers the running costs, especially in cold weather.

Rank 2
January 17, 2025

I think it was the heating trying to get the room up to temperature. But I thought the flat was warm enough already. 

 

Reading that manual, I'm wondering if the time and date is incorrect on it. I've also asked for the filter to be replaced. 

Rank 2
January 17, 2025

I think it was the heating trying to get the room up to temperature. But I thought the flat was warm enough already. 

 

Reading that manual, I'm wondering if the time and date is incorrect on it. I've also asked for the filter to be replaced. 

I checked the time and date and that was all fine.

 

@nealmurphy just to let you know that I have a Joule Modulair All-E Exhaust Air heat Pump (EAHP)

juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
January 19, 2025

@joshantmann How is your heating getting on at the constant temperature setting ?

Rank 2
January 19, 2025

@joshantmann How is your heating getting on at the constant temperature setting ?

I'm averaging about £5.50 a day with it set on 18c for 24 hours a day. Does that still seem expensive to you?

juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
January 19, 2025

It’s a lot better than £12 but it’s very difficult to compare to my system. I have 8 radiators in a 1970s bungalow and a different type of heat pump to yours. However the fact that winter months are much more expensive than spring and autumn remains the same, and of course in summer it’s only the hot water that needs heating. 
This graph from my Daikin app shows the kWh used over the last year, for heating and hot water, so the pattern will be similar for you. However I think some of your winter hot water heating might be done by the immersion heater (which is less efficient than the heat pump).

 

juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
January 19, 2025

Recently the outside temperature was often below zero degrees C here in Surrey. Whereabouts are you and what outdoor temperatures have you had ?

Are you comfortable with the setting at 18 degrees indoors ? I’d find that a bit brisk !

Rank 2
January 20, 2025

It’s a lot better than £12 but it’s very difficult to compare to my system. I have 8 radiators in a 1970s bungalow and a different type of heat pump to yours. However the fact that winter months are much more expensive than spring and autumn remains the same, and of course in summer it’s only the hot water that needs heating. 
This graph from my Daikin app shows the kWh used over the last year, for heating and hot water, so the pattern will be similar for you. However I think some of your winter hot water heating might be done by the immersion heater (which is less efficient than the heat pump).

 

So are you just electricity in your place? Or looks like you're using, on average, about 16 kwh per day. Which seems very good, and what I think it should be paying in this modern, A rating efficient flat. 

Rank 2
January 20, 2025

Recently the outside temperature was often below zero degrees C here in Surrey. Whereabouts are you and what outdoor temperatures have you had ?

Are you comfortable with the setting at 18 degrees indoors ? I’d find that a bit brisk !

I'm based near Wokingham. So very close to Surrey. 18c is not the warmest I'll be honest. I'm just afraid to turn it to any further in case the pricing goes mad again. 

In another post I mentioned if the wiring could be faulty in the flat, or something similar. My flat has its own front door with stairs leading up to the flat. At the bottom of the stairs are two switches....one to turn the light on by the door and another for the outside light(which doesn't work). Then at the top of the stairs are two switches...one for the hall and one for the light by the door. However, if you switch that light on, downstairs, then you can't turn it off using the switch upstairs. And vice versa. Surely this can't be right. Could this mean other things are wired incorrectly?

Rank 2
January 20, 2025

It’s a lot better than £12 but it’s very difficult to compare to my system. I have 8 radiators in a 1970s bungalow and a different type of heat pump to yours. However the fact that winter months are much more expensive than spring and autumn remains the same, and of course in summer it’s only the hot water that needs heating. 
This graph from my Daikin app shows the kWh used over the last year, for heating and hot water, so the pattern will be similar for you. However I think some of your winter hot water heating might be done by the immersion heater (which is less efficient than the heat pump).

 

So are you just electricity in your place? Or looks like you're using, on average, about 16 kwh per day. Which seems very good, and what I think it should be paying in this modern, A rating efficient flat. 

Apologies. 25 kwh a day. We haven't finished January yet.