‘Save 70% off your running costs’ is the Electrikit headline, what does that really mean? Is that possible?
If you are thinking about choosing Electrikit over OIL or Gas, first think about how you plan to use it, as this is what impacts your monthly bill. If your primary motivation is ‘the greener choice’, then the conversion to a sophisticated electric system is an easy one.
Less easy if your choice is based solely on getting an Aga experience that you are used to as a household, and reducing running costs. The ‘save 70-80%’ is a grabbing statement, will this be the case in your home?
The biggest frustration with Electrikit Conversion running cost data is that it is out of date, or generic. There is an appetite for accurate running cost data for Aga range cookers across all fuel types. The reality is that an Aga is not a radiator, heating a defined space to a set heat, at a set time. You put stuff in an Aga, and the rate that you do that changes in size and frequency!
Let's assume that you are not switching the Aga off for the summer, it's about a 50/50 split whether folk do or do not. Summer switch off distorts annual ‘headline’ costs.
Another assumption is that you follow our best practices, {further information} a list collated from years of experience, thousands of hours of chats with our community, and a good dose of ‘reality’. We recommend that you do!
These comparisons are based on current UK average rates {March ‘22} for a 4 oven {average consumption}
OIL 4 oven {no boiler} £64 per week at £1.25Ltr {50 Ltrs}
GAS 4 oven {no boiler} £36.89 per week at 0.07 per unit {around 530 kwh}
LPG 4 oven {no boiler} £56 per week at 70p Ltr {around 80 ltrs}
13 amp 4 oven* {boiler N/A} £76 per week at around 275 KWH {28p KWH}
*This varies widely depending on the type of 13amp installation, and quality of insulation.
Ekit 4 oven {boiler N/A} £31.64 per week at around 113kwh {28p KWH}
Where did we get this data? Matthew is Blake & Bull owner, Alfie walker, and head chef at home.We measured his use in winter 2020. Cast ovens on all day, sometimes overnight {infrequent}, hobs turned on as needed, coldest days left on 4 for ambient heat. Warming cupboard {slow oven} sporadic use. Around 112 kwh per week.
One reason that we hear NOT to make the change to an electric Aga range cooker is, ‘I cannot boil a kettle on my Aga any more’.. you can! But you might want to switch to an electric one for the bulk of your brews!..
With one KWH of electricity you can boil around 6 kettles, that is around 24 cups of tea. Moving from 13 amp to electrikit you could boil 162 kettles, that's 1296 cups of tea a week {with the KWH you save} ! But do turn on the hotplates to enjoy the occasional cup of tea from your range! Life would not be the same..
How does this stack up against the 70-80% saving claim {non boiler}?
OIL saving of around 51% plus servicing costs
GAS saving of around 14% plus servicing costs
LPG saving of around 43% plus servicing costs
13amp saving of around 58%
To achieve an 80% saving you will need to have a reduced use, maybe evenings only on a timer, or batch cooking weekends only. Or switch off for a chunk of the year. To save 80% against a 13amp {as an example} your use would need to drop to 55kwh a week.
Chat to Alex or Emma about conversion and the reality of thereof! < Click
