High EDF bill - what can I do?

MinniMe_2

Afternoon all,

Just hoping for a bit of advice or to find out if anyone else has been in this position. I just got an EDF electricity bill for 13th Sep until 03 March for nearly £400! Now ordinarily I would say that this isn't hight but I only spend apx 3/4 nights a week at the property. It is a 1bed flat and when I am away I always turn everything (except Fridge and set top box) off at the switch.

Does this still sound high?

I rang EDF on Friday when I got the bill and they basically said you must be using all the energy, but I don't understand how I could use so much being there so little. Can anyone recommend something to check if this is right?

THANKS

Rikki

Your bill covers six months

Your bill sounds normal compared to mine.

Check the readings are actual readings and not estimates.

elaina79

That works out to be about £60ish per month which seems reasonable to me. Check if the bill says it is estimated or actual readings. It might be worth putting £60 per month aside so when you get the bills, if they are 6 monthly, it's not so much of a shock.

smk77

That seems high. I pay that to EDF over 10 months and that's 2 adults and 1 baby in a 3 bed house all week. My wife is home 3 days during the week with the baby. That's also running a PC 24x7 and another 5hrs ish per day. TV, Sky Box, Freeview box, PS3, all left on standby (very naughty!)

We cook mainly with gas and have energy saving light bulbs in most rooms.

Your September reading must surely be an estimate.

MinniMe_2

smk77 - I feel it is hight too bearing in mind there is only me in the flat 3/4days a week and I don't leave anything on standby except settop box.

I checked the september reading against what I have from the landlord on move in date and it matches the one on the bill but I don't think I have any other way of checking

Vestra

Do you have electric heating? £400 is not alot for 6 months.

MinniMe_2

Rain - yes there are 3 electric raidiatirs in the house, but I only have them on 5/6 hours a day when I'm in the property. Are they really that expensive (must wear more layers!!)

Premier_2

MinniMe wrote: »

...
I rang EDF on Friday when I got the bill and they basically said you must be using all the energy, but I don't understand how I could use so much being there so little. Can anyone recommend something to check if this is right?

THANKS

You can ask the supplier to check the meter.

If they agree, it'll involve them placing another meter next to the existing one (so that all consumption is registered by both meters). Any inaccuracy will then be discovered.

The supplier will probably charge for this service, but if the actions prove the existing meter is wrong, you will be refunded that charge. I think about £70 is the going charge, but the supplier will advise you exactly.


...or you can buy an owl type meter for about £30 and check for yourself, although they are subject to about 3-5% inaccuracy.

MinniMe_2

premier thank you!

can I ask what is an owl meter?

Premier_2

MinniMe wrote: »

premier thank you!

can I ask what is an owl meter?

They are a type of wireless energy monitor. Owl is one, but others are available e.g. efergy, Eco-eye, Wattson, currentcost, etc.
You'll need one that has a memory function i.e. collects cumulative data rather than just gives an instant usage readout. (Be careful, I don't think earlier owl models didn't have this capability)

You put one part by the meter and it transmits the data wirelessly to a display unit you can place whereever you want so that you can see how much electricity you are using at any given time.

Magentasue

Electric heating = expensive.