this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2026
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Finally bought my first home but have no idea if my electricity use is normal or not, it seems off to me. Any electricians out there that can suggest if it seems normal?

My electricity provider says that we typically use 30-40kwh per day with some days up to 80kwh. I have no idea why the usage is so high. Almost all of the lighting is LED, and almost every appliance is natural gas. The only appliance that is electric is the clothes dryer.

Natural gas furnace, fireplaces, hot water tank, stove, etc.

It seems to be higher usage in the winter despite having three r2d2 air conditioners running in the summer time and almost all of our heating being natural gas in the winter. We have one plug in oil filled heater outside in the detached storage / workshop area.

We do have a well for our water system and that involves a water softener and UV filter and whatnot. Not sure how much power a well pump uses.

Does 30-40kwh average use with up to 80kwh sound normal or on the higher end?

I worry that something on the property might be siphoning power or something. We also suspect the previous owners of the property were probably growing pot, the outdoor workshop has a 200amp service and a breaker box with like 20 empty breaker slots that were filled in with just 3-4 remaining for the lights and plugs.

Any info appreciated!

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Do they provide hourly usage numbers? Sounds like it might not be consistently high but there are some peaks. Could you use those as clues?

I have a < 1000 sq foot house with a propane furnace and electric stove. We have an AC, and a few dehumidifiers. I have a well and a filter. My spouse works from home. I have a pottery kiln but I've used it like 8 times so it's not pumping those numbers up too much.

In the previous year our average daily usage was 38 kWhr. Our usage is highest in the summer.

My max daily usage last billing period was 90 kWhr and I ran the kiln that day. My second highest day was 49 kWhr. From the hourly data I'm seeing a big peak at 6 and 7 pm. I'm guessing that's from using the oven and both taking hot showers in quick succession (electric water heater). Might have also been the day I did a fuck tonne of handing with the orbital sander.

Anyways, getting a device to measure usage of devices is great but you might also be able to gleen info from a more detailed bill.