Just got elec bill

coldstreamalways

We have paperless billing with british gas (who have awful customer services). We are in arrears because they refused to set up an account for us (long story!) and we now pay £100 a month to clear the arrears, regardless of our usege.

This makes it difficult to keep an eye on our usage! Anyway, the bill is for 97 days worth of electricity (economy 7) and it is £184, this is just under £2 a day, is this about right? Too much? Too little? Your help is appreciated.

Very many thanks

CA

KimYeovil

£60 for heating, hot water and cooking is below average. Are you on Click 6, their cheapest tariff?*

* Oh. Economy 7. You'll have to compare your prices with their Click 6 prices as Economy 7 varies considerably from region to region and company to company.

coldstreamalways

We don't have gas so that is everything, does that make any difference?

KimYeovil

No, I guessed that. "Average" utility bills are £100 to £120 these-a-days. If you're paying £60 per month then that's pretty good for an all-electric household.

Of course, (a big of course), it's the start of winter - if you haven't been using your storage heaters much then things might become ugly - if it's £60 for just summer usage then that is not so good!

How much have you used? How much are you using at night compared to during the day? Economy 7 requires anything from 15-22 to 50% night useage to be worthwhile (I have seen some claims that 7% is possible but I don't believe that.)

Unfortunately, you'll just have to sit down with paper and calculator and bills and do the sums.

coldstreamalways

Fortunately we are on the top floor and it's always too warm as downstairs have the heating on constantly! So I'm not planning on actually using the heaters this year!! I will look at the economy 7 rates.

Magentasue

Make sure you £97 is for electricity used and not estimated - starting and current readings should both be actual, not estimated. As Kim says, you need your annual usage to make meaningful calculations - look for two actual meter readings on bills a year apart. Failing that, ask BG.

coldstreamalways

Ok, thank you. We've only been here a year and it took 8 months to get an account! SO that may be a while, I will keep doing the sums. I know the latest reading is correct as I took it myself!

Thank you for the time you are taking in replying.

LittleMissAspie

Do you have access to your meter? Take a reading once a week to keep an eye on it, and make sure the reading on the bill tallies up with that. We submit gas and elec readings once a month, you just can't trust the companies to get it right.

If your £60 a month doesn't include heating then yes that is expensive. Check out the different price tariffs and see if you would do better switching. Also think what you use that might be using a lot of electricity. Things on standby, electric oven, electric shower etc.