ᐅ Excessive Electricity Consumption in Single-Family Home Construction – Experiences
Created on: 16 Jan 2022 20:55
M
Miwi2009
Hello everyone,
I built a single-family house with a general contractor, and according to the construction contract, I am responsible for the electricity costs during the building phase. After about 9 months of construction, a staggering 25,000 kWh were consumed. This corresponds to approximately €8,000 in electricity costs. In my opinion, the main drivers were the heating program for the screed as well as various heaters and drying devices that were used in the house for some time.
I wanted the general contractor to cover part of the electricity costs (€4,000), but unfortunately, they are unwilling to negotiate and refer to the contract. My logical argument would be that, as a layperson, I would expect a usual electricity consumption or costs for a single-family house to average between €2,500 and €3,500, depending on the season and other factors.
Has anyone had a similar experience or any suggestions on how to get the general contractor to share 50% of the costs?
Thanks in advance!
I built a single-family house with a general contractor, and according to the construction contract, I am responsible for the electricity costs during the building phase. After about 9 months of construction, a staggering 25,000 kWh were consumed. This corresponds to approximately €8,000 in electricity costs. In my opinion, the main drivers were the heating program for the screed as well as various heaters and drying devices that were used in the house for some time.
I wanted the general contractor to cover part of the electricity costs (€4,000), but unfortunately, they are unwilling to negotiate and refer to the contract. My logical argument would be that, as a layperson, I would expect a usual electricity consumption or costs for a single-family house to average between €2,500 and €3,500, depending on the season and other factors.
Has anyone had a similar experience or any suggestions on how to get the general contractor to share 50% of the costs?
Thanks in advance!
C
clausen7726 May 2022 23:35Today I visited the construction site again and happened to check the electric meter cabinet. I was almost shocked when I saw 12,600 kWh (12,600 kWh)… and we have just completed the shell construction phase.
Our neighbor, who is much further along and already has the screed finished, only has 8,800 kWh (8,800 kWh) on their meter. Both houses are about the same size (living and usable space approximately 350 m2 (3,767 sq ft)).
Unfortunately, I didn’t verify that the meter was reset to zero when it was installed – is it possible that this might not have been done? I will call the site manager tomorrow to ask if this could be correct.
Our neighbor, who is much further along and already has the screed finished, only has 8,800 kWh (8,800 kWh) on their meter. Both houses are about the same size (living and usable space approximately 350 m2 (3,767 sq ft)).
Unfortunately, I didn’t verify that the meter was reset to zero when it was installed – is it possible that this might not have been done? I will call the site manager tomorrow to ask if this could be correct.
clausen77 schrieb:
I was at the construction site again today and happened to look inside the electricity meter cabinet. I nearly fell over when I saw 12,600 kWh… and we’ve only just finished the shell construction.
Our neighbor, who is much further along and already has the screed laid, has only 8,800 kWh on their meter. Both houses are about the same size (living and usable area around 350 m² (3,767 ft²)).
Unfortunately, I didn’t check whether the meter was set to zero when it was installed – can it happen that it wasn’t? I will call the site manager tomorrow to ask if that could be correct. Of course, it doesn’t have to be set to zero! In fact, that’s rather unlikely.
C
clausen7727 May 2022 08:38Ok, thanks for the clarification 🙂
I will check with them about the meter reading at the start of the supply.
I will check with them about the meter reading at the start of the supply.
clausen77 schrieb:
I almost fell over when I read 12600 kWh… And we have just finished the shell construction. Our initial meter reading at the start of construction in July 21 was 12541, and in April 22, when we canceled the construction power supply, it was 14120. Your meter would also have had some initial reading.
We paid a total of €516.78 for construction power consumption.
P
Pinkiponk27 May 2022 20:11Since March 3rd, 2022, we have been supplied with temporary construction power. At the start, the meter read 12,727, and today, May 27th, 2022, it is at 13,349. However, our screed heating program using a mobile heater has only been running since May 24th, 2022. Prior to that, the probably familiar tasks of groundwork, house assembly (prefabricated timber frame construction, two full stories, size 9.40m x 9.40m (31 feet x 31 feet)), etc. took place.
Since early March, we have thus consumed 622 kWh. We pay a base fee of 210.68 euros per year and a gross rate of 29.16 cents per kWh. Starting June 1st, 2022, we will have to pay 32.38 cents per kWh. When the renewable energy surcharge disappears on July 1st, the price will decrease by a net 3.723 cents per kWh.
Since I have to ventilate the house at least twice a day anyway, I try to remember to take a photo of the construction power meter at least once daily, so we don’t face any unpleasant surprises.
In my calculation, I have budgeted a total of 2,000 euros for construction power and water. This is without concrete data, as I have no previous experience.
Since early March, we have thus consumed 622 kWh. We pay a base fee of 210.68 euros per year and a gross rate of 29.16 cents per kWh. Starting June 1st, 2022, we will have to pay 32.38 cents per kWh. When the renewable energy surcharge disappears on July 1st, the price will decrease by a net 3.723 cents per kWh.
Since I have to ventilate the house at least twice a day anyway, I try to remember to take a photo of the construction power meter at least once daily, so we don’t face any unpleasant surprises.
In my calculation, I have budgeted a total of 2,000 euros for construction power and water. This is without concrete data, as I have no previous experience.
Hausbau 55 schrieb:For us as well, starting today, May 27th, 2022, the temperature increases by 5°C (9°F) per day, up to 45°C (113°F), then holds at 45°C for five days, and afterwards reduces by 10°C (18°F) per day until 25°C (77°F) is reached.
And during the heating up, it only goes up 5° per day…
schubert7928 May 2022 06:53Miwi2009 schrieb:
The only explanation I have is, on one hand, the heating program running via the external device (instead of the heat pump) as well as the ventilation and drying devices operating over a very long period.
.That’s probably the explanation. “Very long” sounds to me like many weeks or months. For whatever reason. You didn’t give it much thought and the general contractor didn’t care either, contract aside.
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