NPower haven't been taking direct debits/ridiculous bill

EllaMinnowPea

Got a bill today for gas used from end Nov to end Feb for £373.

That's almost £125 a month! I live in a flat!!

They have also stated that the initial reading was an 'actual' reading but I didn't supply it, and they didn't advise me one had been taken.

Their readings don't match with the meter - out meter has a red box with three numbers in it, their readings have four numbers - any ideas on this one?

I have a letter from them from August saying "Relax! You don't need to do anything!" saying that everything is in place for our switch to them. They have my correct bank details and it states on the letter I will be paying by direct debit.

Where do I stand on these issues?

Any help gratefully received!

Magentasue

Does the meter serial number on the bill match the one on your meter?

EllaMinnowPea

Yes it does

EllaMinnowPea

anyone...

KimYeovil

By numbers do you mean the number of digits or the number of meters? If digits, check that the readings are just the whole number from the meter. But £125 per month sounds about right.

Did you take a reading when you switched? Do the starting reads correspond?

cally6008

£125 per month for gas in a flat ... sounds right Kim ?! Thats far too high. Read it again.

Ella - double check their reading with what the meter is reading now and see how much it is out by.

Fire_Fox

Flats with a gas connection tend not to be modern rabbit-hutches with double glazing and low ceilings. What is the insulation of the flat like? What is your preferred ambient temperature?

You say the start reading is actual but you didn't supply it, when did you last take a reading? Is the end reading on the bill estimated? Metric or imperial meter? Metric or imperial bill?

Cardew

A flat can be a tiny 1 bed or a 5000sq ft 6 bed monster.

£375 for the coldest quarter in a very cold winter is not particularly high for a biggish flat.

alf

Sounds correct, same here got a £282 bill from Npower for a 1 bed flat. Problem is Npower's gas sculpting which charges over 800 units at Tier 1 rate in winter months. Since I rarely go over Tier 1 I am paying approx. 7.8p / kwh

foxglove666

Tip for you all on npower Gas. Change to SOL14 during winter months and then back to standard in the summer. This way you avoid high gas sculpting in the winter but low sculpting in the summer. Advisors can do this over the phone if you treaten to leave but will need a meter reading.

Hope this lowers your bills. more info on npower.com