If they don’t, look for the serial number on the appliance and you’ll find the wattage. The lower the rating (which means a higher wattage), the more electricity it will use.

For example, a 1kW (kilowatt or 1000 watt) heater uses one unit of electricity per hour, whilst a 100-watt light bulb uses one unit of electricity every 10 hours.

Take a look at our comparing bills information for advice.

If you feel there’s no explanation for your higher bill, it’s possible one of your appliances could be faulty. If you think there could be a problem with one of your appliances, it’s a good idea to arrange for a qualified electrician to look at it.

For added peace of mind and a guarantee for any work done, you should choose an electrician approved by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC).
Your local directory should provide a list of approved electricians. But you can search for a local contractor by using the NICEIC website.