Can anyone help

markymark1979

We live in a 2 bed flat in Surrey, which is all electric. Until 14 months ago we had been paying £61 a month dd for our electricity which pretty much covered it for the two years until January 2008.

In January 2008 we had a new heating system put in. We had our overnight storage heaters and the Economy 7 meter removed. In its place we had some top of the range Dimplex Calidou heaters put in and a standard meter installed as well as fixing our prices with NPOWER until 2011 (14.5p for 1st lot of units then 11.66p)

Our problem is that we have just had our bill in and owe £1600. In effect our bills have gone up approximately £1600 for a year since putting these heaters in and we are now paying over £2200 per year.

Can anyone offer any advice?

johncolescarr

This seem very big, ok you have had some new heaters put in, but wow. what is the kW rating of those beasts? If I were you, I'd find out how much power (in kW) the heaters are rated at, then do a rough check to make sure it not completely out! I.e, it may have been impossible for you to have used that much. Really, the energy company should have picked up your usage had increased so dramatically and advised, but I guess its not in there interest to. Also, do you know the price you were paying before the switch?

markymark1979

Thanks for the reply

Before the swith on Ecomnomy 7 we were paying night rate 18p then 10.4p and then day rate 4.02p

The heaters are

2 x 2kwh
2 x 0.75
1 x 1.5

The timer is from 6 - 8 in morning and 5 - 10 at night but they are very rarely on for this duration and never alltogether

SwanJon

Are the readings accurate? Has the meter exchange been updated accuartaeyly?
How many kWh does the bill say you have used?

Take readings each day to see how much you are using now and compare that with the average from the bill.

anniecave

markymark1979 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply

Before the swith on Ecomnomy 7 we were paying night rate 18p then 10.4p and then day rate 4.02p

Think you will find it was day 18p/10.4p and night 4.02 (unless your meter was set up incorrectly!!)

storage heating can be quite cost effective - most of your heating costs at only 4p per kwh in your case, but it depends if it actually keeps the place warm.

Single rate metering is just that - so all your heating is at the one rate.

I'd start taking some meter readings and look at how much you are using

markymark1979

So in essence is it possible that we are using this amount of elec in a year? (I will do some of the checks those of you mention)