Swapping spur for a socket

KettyKrueger

Hi all,

Just got my electricity bill and it was a shock to say the least.

I suspect my ageing boiler is to blame. I've done some monitoring and that seems to be the problem. I want to put it on a timer do its completely off when not in use as it seems to be using loads of power, even on standby (roughly 10kwh overnight).

It's wires into a spur but would like to take it out and use a plug instead. From there I can use a timer.

My question is, can I simply replace the from of the spur with a socket and put a lug on the boiler?

Thanks for your help

Andy98765

Something like this should help http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TCCPI24.html although it does state fit with a fused spur when ideally it takes the place of one.

KettyKrueger

Thanks for that, didn't realise such a device existed!

Maplin have one that is the size of a single socket so might go with that. Are they easy to fit? Do I just swap them over

TJT1

If you are not sure whether you can or not, it sounds like you really aught to have someone who knows about electrics look at it. Also, if it is using 10KWhrs overnight, the boiler needs looking at as well. That's a ridiculous amount, equivalent to having 10 100w light bulbs running for 10 hours. Are you sure that you have done your calculations correctly?

KettyKrueger

I think I can probably swap it over.

It's an old boiler, rated D energy efficiency.

John

Is it an electric boiler then ?

KettyKrueger

No it's a gas boiler. Just seems to suck electricity too.

John

With hot water tank ? you have not left the immersion on permanently by mistake have you ? I can't imagine a boiler using that much, I only use twice that all day !

IronGiant

No gas boiler uses that much electricity unless there is something seriously wrong with it.  How can you tell it's the boiler using that electricity if it is hard wired in by the way?  I suspect it is something else such as an immersion heater as John suggested.

KettyKrueger

Okay, when I said 10 Kwh I actually meant that plus all my other devices on standby, so not strictly true. But the majority of that 10 Kwh is from the boiler. It's not a immersion heater so can't be that.

I've signed up to British Gas Energy Smart so hopefully that will help.

I almost daren't tell you how much electricity we use in 24 hrs...50Kwh! But let me qualify that by stating we have underfloor heating in half the house, have 2 kids so someone is in all day, every day and we haven't got around to changing the GU10 bulbs yet. We have 30 downlighters all 50w.

We've just got a stupid electricity bill, hence our little mission to find the culprit!

I'd love any advise (no, we can't move house!).

Thanks