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Huge Gas bill

law558
law558 Posts: 3 Newbie
in Energy
Hi all , just got my latest gas bill from scottish hydro covering jul to oct
an it £486!
but my last bill was only £43 from may to jul

I don't understand how we could have used so much gas, especially since we've only started putting the heating on again in the last week or so.

could the meter be faulty?
«1

Comments

  • kazwookie
    kazwookie Posts: 14,349 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Is it an estimated bill or a read bill??

    If it is an estimated one, go and get your own reading NOW, and ring then with it, and they should send a correct bill out
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  • bootsalebabe
    bootsalebabe Posts: 120 Forumite
    It looks to me like you have had estimated readings on the last three quarters and this is an actual reading, i agree with kazwookie do your own reading and submit it to them, fingers crossed for you BSB xx
  • law558
    law558 Posts: 3 Newbie
    No its a read bill icon9.gif
  • law558
    law558 Posts: 3 Newbie
    Just checked, Your right bsb.
    so does that mean I've been paying too little for months?, year? and it just finally caught up with me?
  • Incisor
    Incisor Posts: 2,271 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    law558 wrote: »
    Just checked, Your right bsb.
    so does that mean I've been paying too little for months?, year? and it just finally caught up with me?
    Yes. When you get an estimated bill, always take a reading, compare with the bill and decide whether you are happy owing money [or overpaying] before accepting the bill.
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    To dissolve the people
    And elect another?
  • Magentasue
    Magentasue Posts: 4,229 Forumite
    If you can afford it, that's fine, you pay it and lesson learned. If not, negotiate a monthly DD. If you know your annual usage, you can calculate the monthly amount and add on some to clear the debt. Make an offer and see what they say. As said, nothing wrong with estimated readings so long as you do your own and know what you'll owe in the end.
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Worse than that, it's likely you've just been charged for all those units at the new higher price. Check that.
  • spiro
    spiro Posts: 6,405 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    PasturesNew wrote: »
    Worse than that, it's likely you've just been charged for all those units at the new higher price. Check that.
    According to an article on BBC News 24 last weekend suppliers are under no obligation to charge the old price when you get a catch up bill because of previous estimated bills.
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  • Pssst
    Pssst Posts: 4,803 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Just get a prepayment meter put in..
  • Magentasue
    Magentasue Posts: 4,229 Forumite
    Pssst wrote: »
    Just get a prepayment meter put in..

    A bit drastic. OP hasn't said she can't pay, just that she was surprised at how high it was. Prepayent would be a last resort for me - after trying to pay it or negotiate a way of clearing it over an agreed period of time.
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