Electicity Prepayment Meter help deciphering consumption costs.

happymumto2

Due to the extortionate amount I am putting in the meters am trying to be extra careful and monitor my usage and costs. I am a Swalec customer but can't seem to find the actual price of units on their website and don't have a bill anywhere.
I left the house this morning and only the fridge freezer was on, it's a grade A American style fridge freezer (nothing on standby). From 8am until 2pm the meter used £2.87 which is 48p an hour (this seemed rather a lot to me!
Between 2pm and 3.30 have had laptop, halogen heater, and fridge running yet have used only 31p so 20p an hour, its not adding up!
Can anyone explain this, any help appreciated.

welshsue

I am also a Swalec customer. My rate on prepaid electric is 14.98 pence per unit, this could change depending on area.
On your meter there will be a button you can press to scroll through the settings and this will show how much used and ppu being charged (I have a key meter and the button is blue)
Do you have any debt on the meter as this could explain the extra charge this morning.
Hope this helps. Failing that you could always ring swalec and ask questions, I have always found them helpful

happymumto2

Thanks for that I rang them yesterday (thats on another thread!), regarding debt have had ongoing battle for 2 years which was partially resolved at last. They wiped the electric debt and reduced the gas debt by £940!
Have just scrolled through the meter with the blue button am paying 15.62 per unit, Debt owed 0.00, charge per week 0.00 current reading 13927.23 (will be watching it closely!). However for 45 minutes with same things on as previously stated has now used 32p, which is 40p an hour again. I don't understand how it is fluctuating all time!

happymumto2

Am getting obssessed now at 16.15 meter was on £8.51 at 19.15 it is £7.73, same three appliances on now equates to 26p an hour! Have had a real splurge now have halogen heater, laptop, tumble dryer, playstation, tv, sky+ and fridge on will probably cost me a fiver for an hour!!!!!!

Meter reading 13927.23 at 16.20 13933.08 at 19.20.

happymumto2

20.15 with all those appliances on meter is £7.13 so costs 60p, I'll be carted off in a straightjacket soon!

Magentasue

So with your meter, the more you use the less you pay. I'd be tempted to have a prepay meter if they all worked like that.

60p is about 4kwh? That's probably about right for the appliances you describe.

happymumto2

No not the more I use the less I pay I think the meter is dodgy. Friday with just the fridge running it was 48p an hour, then during the evening with the same appliances on for x hours on it was cheaper, but even then the money was varying over the hours. I left the house yesterday morning read meter it was 13943.32 now its 13947.74 (been away 27 hours), meter has used 66p which is less than 3p an hour (only fridge on), yet friday with just fridge on it was 48p an hour, it doesn't make sense to me.

happymumto2

Now have 2 halogen heaters on, tv, playstation, sky+ box, tv upstairs and skybox, 2 laptops, dishwasher, tumble dryer, washing machine, so will see how it pans out by this evening.

Magentasue

Could it be that when your meter takes more than you think it should, you are paying a standing charge or higher tier units?

SwanJon

Don't just compare the money, make a note of the readings at the same time.
Also, many appliances are not consistant users (the fridge is a good example), so you'll always get some variation.

happymumto2

Magentasue wrote: »

Could it be that when your meter takes more than you think it should, you are paying a standing charge or higher tier units?

Now that is what I don't know, as I never get any bills due to the account not being in my name, the ex must have redirected the mail as I get neither gas bills or electricity bills anymore. And as they will not put the bills in my name until the gas is cleared am going to have to wait another couple of years to find out!