help calculation for units used in electricity into cost???

rainy233 · 14 July 2009 at 3:29PM

Hi i am with npower and was paying £38 per month dd i just called up to give an actual meter reading only to be told that who ever came and read my meter must have missed out a digit therefor i will still pay my £38 pp until they redo the bills in november then i will be in arrears of about £200!!:eek:
What is the calculation for working out the cost of units used etc?

Also prior to this meter being fitted i had a prepayment and never went over 10 maybe 15 pound a week why now i have binned the pre payment it has risen sooo much???

Thanks in advance

MrsBartolozzi · 14 July 2009 at 3:48PM

Can you find any old bills? Have look at the most recent accurate reading (either C for customer, or A for actual), not E for estimate. Compare this with today's reading to see how many units you've used since then. Then divide this number by the number of days or weeks since the date of the bill.
This will give you an average number of units you use in a day/week.
You now need to refer to the most recent bill for the cost per unit (in pence) add the VAT and any standing charge (most bills are laid out quite plainly, you could copy the format to another bit of paper and substitute your numbers). Multiply the number of units by the cost for the cost of your electricity per day/week.
How do your figures compare with £38 per month? more?less?
If you are using more then you should ask to put your DD up to cover what you are using, or you will end up with a huge bill (as they suggest you will, come November).
It doesn't seem fair on you to keep paying £38 a month now, if your electricity company know you will be hit by a huge bill in November. If they don't put up your DD now to account for this, then you should at least start saving now to lessen the blow when the big bill comes.
It is worth bearing in mind that the cost of the DD doesn't actually reflect how much electricity you are using, that's why when comparing companies it's more important to look at the actual cost per unit rather than what they will charge you each month, as a low monthly DD might leave you with a big bill later if it doesn't actually cover your usage.

If you still feel your bill is high there are lots of threads here on how to use less electricity.

KimYeovil · 14 July 2009 at 4:46PM

You should also look at week by week what you are currently using - this will give you an idea of whether there is just a catch-up sum to be accounted for.

If you're not keen on the more fiddly arithmetic then all you need look at is the meter readings (in kWh) and the Tier 2 price per kWh.

rainy233 · 14 July 2009 at 5:00PM

thanks i am going to over the next week keep a record of what i have used then average it out and contact them as i am sure i am using no more then 10 units a day and 10 x 15pence is my sum then isnt it?

I worry so much as have a young family and i have heard horror stories regarding price hikes. Thanks you any more advice would be great etc is the sum right?

KimYeovil · 14 July 2009 at 5:41PM

Yes, the meter units are the same units as the price per kWh (remember to use the VAT incl price.) So ten units would cost £1.50. (Though 15p seems a little expensive! - I suspect you should be able to find a cheaper price than that.)

In addition there's a 'standing' charge element (£1 per month* on their standard tariff or £5 per month with their SO15 tariff.)

* Yes, I was confused** by that new figure as well.
** Ah! The unit price is 50% DEARER :eek: on the tariff with the £1 charge. That explains things! (I hate having to agree with something Carmine says.)

KimYeovil · 14 July 2009 at 5:47PM

Rainy, are you on nPower's standard tariff? If so you are paying a 50% premium. Take evasive action now!

You could be paying £29 per month instead of £38 for the same usage!!!

rainy233 · 14 July 2009 at 6:11PM

really omg yes i am on the standard duel fuel gas and electric

what does that mean i am soooo confused by it all

KimYeovil · 14 July 2009 at 7:50PM

(Hadn't noticed before what a corrupt deal nPower's standard tariff is!!! Not surprising, considering which company it is. Boy, are they making up for having to make pitiful payouts to Direct Debacle and friends. When was this revamp implemented?)

Gas - £20 per month (two tier) 'standing' charge but bog cheap Tier 2 gas. (And if, as I think, their standard tariff still has regional weighting then that means you're paying 100% of those standing charges - £240 per year!!!)
Electricity - £1 per month (two tier) 'standing' charge but Tier 2 electricity is 50% MORE expensive!!!

Sorry, Rainy, I'm just confusing you - previous paragraphs are for others. As you were happy paying by direct debit I suggest you call up nPower and ask to switch to their "Sign Online Dual Fuel V15" tariff as it ought to be much cheaper. (Hmm, by the name, you may have to apply online. I'd still phone them up and give them a rant.)

You should also enter your annual usage in a comparison site and see what prices other tariffs and suppliers will be. (But remember you will have to sort out any outstanding balances with nPower before switching.)

help calculation for units used in electricity into cost???

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