Greenhouse heater .. how to work out running costs?

[bizzylizzy]

Hi everyone...
A tricky one this.
We've moved into a new house but the previous occupants have asked us to keep their greenhouse heated for a while until they have time to move it. Obviously we're paying for the not insubstantial amount of power the heater is using. But how to work out what the consumption is? We can't turn everything off in the house, because that would only give us a reading based on the temperature outside at the time. The electrical consumption will obviously change depending on the weather conditions, which is what's making it tricky to work out.

The heater model is the Botanico 2 kilowatt thermostatically controlled electric greenhouse heater. The dial is turned up halfway at the moment. Everytime we have a cold snap, I have visions of the electric bill going up and up and up. We've been assured that it costs pennies to run. Call me a cynic but I'm not sure that's true, as my sister had to get rid of hers because it was so expensive to run.

Can any kind soul out there help. Apart from the obvious ... "switch it off" of course :-)

Thank you in advance.

[Tweed]

It's not too difficult to calculate the cost if you know how long it's on for, but it will be thermostatically controlled so it won't always be heating when you have it switched on. However:

Power(kW) * time(hours) * cost per unit, then add the tax.

I'd guess it would be heating for about half the time.

[stanleyman]

Hang on, who's home is it now? Anything left is yours and putting it mildly, they are taking advantage of you. You don't want this problem, switch off and tell them to move it by the end of the weekend or lose it for good.

[tin tin]

tell them the fuse went and you did not notice ,bit of a lie but they are pulling a bit of a trick !!!!

[Solarjunkie]

Well, if it's on half power, then it's using one kilowatt per hour, ie one "unit" as it says on your bill.

So estimate how long it's on, say 50% of the time, and work out how many hours that would be. Then contact the owners and remind them sweetly that their bill is currently standing at so many pounds and would they like to pay that on account?

You do want to keep on good terms with them, as their old neighbours are your new neighbours and the bad impression give by a few unfriendly words could take years to overcome.

Bearing in mind that it is winter, there will be some days when it is on 24 hours so a 50% estimate is reasonable. If by any chance they are being asked to pay more than it actually costs, that could be considered rent for the use of part of your garden!

It could be that you decide to stand the estimated charge yourself, in the spirit of goodwill.