FAQ
TL;DR: A 5.5 kW flow-through heater can burn ~220 kWh per two-month cycle, and “500 zł for two months is normal” [Elektroda, Małolepszy, #15244778]. Check the meter with every load off to spot leaks quickly [Elektroda, kozi966, post #15244604]
Why it matters: Simple checks and low-cost LEDs often slash bills by 20-40 %.
Quick Facts
• Old fridge draw: 1–2 kWh / day [Elektroda, haneb, #15283547; marcin55246, #15246792]
• New A++ fridge: 0.3–0.9 kWh / day (EU Energy Label)
• 60 W incandescent → 10 W LED saves ~73 kWh / year (DOE, 2021)
• Supplier meter test: free if faulty; ≈100 zł if correct [Elektroda, Małolepszy, #15244778]
• Instantaneous water heater: +0.2 kWh per minute shower [Elektroda, justykacz, post #15244786]
How can I check if my electronic meter is over-counting?
- Turn every appliance off, including the fridge for 10 min. 2. Watch the LED or code 1.8.0 display. 3. No blinks in 10 min ≈ no load. Any pulses mean a hidden draw [Elektroda, kozi966, post #15244649]
Does a 40-year-old refrigerator always waste energy?
Old units often use 1–2 kWh/day, triple a modern A++ model [Elektroda, haneb, post #15283547] A cracked door seal or blocked thermostat can push use higher, up to 2 kWh/day [Elektroda, Darom, post #15284523]
What daily cost does a 5.5 kW water heater add?
Each minute of hot water draws 0.091 kWh. A 20-minute family shower session equals about 1.8 kWh, or 1 zł at 0.55 zł/kWh [Elektroda, justykacz, post #15244786]
Is my 500 zł bi-monthly bill abnormal for five people?
With an electric heater, two TVs, computers and lighting, 500 zł for 800 kWh over two months is within normal Polish averages [Elektroda, kortyleski, post #15244925]
Can poor house wiring raise consumption?
Age alone rarely increases kWh, but damaged cables can leak current. A nail through a live conductor once added unknown load until replaced [Elektroda, omnibus111, post #15244756]
How accurate are plug-in wattmeters?
Most low-cost meters stay within ±3 % for loads above 10 W, fine for fridge or heater audits but not legal disputes (Consumer Reports, 2020).
What if the power company’s meter is faulty?
File a written request. Testing is free if the meter fails, but you pay ≈100 zł if it passes [Elektroda, Małolepszy, #15244778].
Which appliances should I measure first?
Prioritise high-wattage, long-run devices: water heater, oven, space heaters, fridge, then entertainment gear [Elektroda, Maciej1387, post #15246577]
Are LEDs really cheaper than CFLs?
Yes. A 10 W LED lasts 15 000 h and uses 30 % less energy than an equivalent 14 W CFL, saving ~20 kWh over its life (DOE, 2021).
Could low mains voltage (217 V) hurt efficiency?
Minor. Most EU appliances work from 207–253 V. Lower voltage slightly reduces resistive load power but lengthens run time; net kWh changes little (IEC 60038).
What’s the difference between kW and kWh?
kW measures instantaneous power draw; kWh measures energy used over time. One 1 kW heater running one hour consumes 1 kWh [Elektroda, Darom, post #15284523]
Edge case: Can hanging a picture spike my bill?
If a metal peg touches only the phase wire, it forms a resistive leak that the breaker misses, raising usage yet not tripping fuses [Elektroda, omnibus111, post #15244756]
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