Does this sound right???

DizzyGherkin

Hi Guys

I've just got off the phone with E-On and not really too happy. I live in a new-build 2 bed flat with electricity only. I've already been paying £64 per month and now after getting a bill through 10 days ago telling me I was £250 in debt based on usage, I gave them a call. They tell me tonight that I am using less that they would be expecting me to use, but my direct debit needs to go up to £80 per month in order to cover our current usage...but with debt repayment on top I was looking at £121 per month.

I honestly cannot understand where I am using all this electricity. My usage is as follows:

• Heating system has been turned off since April
• Computer used 4 hours a day, but otherwise switched off completely at the wall
• TV used 4 hours a day, but otherwise switched off at the wall
• All bulbs are energy saving bulbs, with the exception of a couple of small halogens in the bathrooom and kitchen. Most are off all day and we only ever have a small lamp on of an evening (which has a 4W energy saving bulb)
• Washing machine used for 4 loads max per week.
• Cooker/or oven on average 30 mins a day 6 days a week (the other day is takeaway day!)
• No dishwasher or tumble dryer
• Other than that, just the normal fridge/freezer
• Water is heated on demand and is not on for hours a day.

And thats about it....

Maybe I'm being a bit naive...please tell me if I am and I will go away...but £80 per month seems extortionate for the amount of electricty we use (I know we don't have gas and have to take that into account)...I still can't understand how we manage to use 18 units a day to be honest...I'm just baffled...and I'm dreading my winter bills when the heating finally has to come on.

Can anyone advise if this seems high, low or just about right?

Thanks in advance for your input...

Magentasue

Are you saying you're using 18 units a day now or on average over the year?

I would imagine your costs are a lot to do with the heating used in the winter being averaged over the year. You say 'heating system'. Is that oil or electric? And if electric, what sort of system?

brysiewysie

If you've been paying £64pm and are £250 in debt and this is all based on accurate info then you need to be looking at cutting your usage, since you DD is obviously too low.

Kez100

Apart from heating/water our use is simialar to your list and we use 8 -13 units a day and we are on an economy drive with that and I don't think we could be much better. TBH 18 might be fair if your water is heated through electric. Ours is gas so I can't be certain but I would think electric heated water for showers and washing up and the like wouldn't come cheap.

Magentasue

Kez100 wrote: »

I would think electric heated water for showers and washing up and the like wouldn't come cheap.

No, it doesn't. Immersion heaters and electric showers are expensive compared to heating water by gas. Obviously, more of a consideration for a family than someone living on their own.

But storage heaters are very expensive to run and I suspect they're responsible if it's an average of 18 units a day over the year.