Fed up with electricity readings

ToryDenton_3

I recently got a shock bill from Eon our electricity for 1 quarter came to £1009 and they said we had been using on average 54kw per day! The gas was also high at £690 and is on 2 hours morning two hours night. Anyway after long discussions with them and them constantly blaming my underfloor heating in one room I took a seven day reading. I now live without a tumble dryer, no dishwasher, computers turned off most of day and printers, underfloor heating is now on only for 2 hours a day if that. I am still drawing 23 kw per day now when I work that over a quarter I am still being charged double to all of my neighbours and friends who have those luxeries and one even runs a hot tub his bill was £250 for the quarter. I cant work out why! I have sent reading to Eon who havent replied, I am going to switch this month to another supplier who is hopefully cheaper. But should I still have a reading like this or does anyone know if something could be wrong. Eon want £93 to check the meter so with the massive bill cant afford that at present. Any suggestions gratfully received.

Magentasue

Could it be that you latest bills started with an estimated reading and, so you're paying for previous use too? What do you get for your 23kwh a day?

ToryDenton_3

Readings were accurate right what I have one now is:

electric floor heats up for 2 hours a day to 20oc so is barely on as the dining room gets all the sun.
Computer on for about 5 hours a day no printers only switch them on if needed
Washing I now do 2 loads a week and get up at 4am to do that along with my ironing so I use economy 7
I use an electric over but its on maybe twice week the rest of the time its gas hob.
Water is now being heated by gas
No dishwasher/ no tumble dryer.
Tv on for about 5 hours at night
Everthing else is switched off at mains so not on standby.
All lights have had economy bulbs fitted and at night whilst in lunge 1 bulb on.
Mother in law has heater on in the day and tv she is drawing 5 of the 23 we use.

And thats about it the house is freezing we sit under blankets and get up at stupid times to do things on cheap rate.

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi ToryDenton,

When you started taking your daily readings did you do this before or after you made changes to when your appliances were on?

If you took daily reads before, did the consumption reflect similar figures that E.ON suggested of around 54 kWh per day?

It is difficult to justify if you started taking daily reads after making changes around the home.

If you think there is an issue with the accuracy of the meter, a test has to be carried out. This is done by a separate company to E.ON and this costs E.ON £93 a time, as the customer requests it they are liable for the cost, if the meter is faulty E.ON will cover the amount.

If you did the same with the gas, the meter would have to be taken away for a test, this costs a similar amount.

Brian

ToryDenton_3

I took the reading after I had made some of the changes the underfloor heating was still on quite a lot then 4 hours at weekend and couple of hours in week then and I was drawing the same as I am now with the underfloor heating being on 2 hours a day if that. I just don't get how we were drawing 54 a day compared to others now with no appliances on and freezing we are still drawing double

Magentasue

How many kwh a day without the electric heating - I'm assuming you have no gas heating if you're paying for electric heating. Your electricity bill is always going to be high with electric heating - maybe you're underestimating just how expensive?

How do you know mil is using 5kwh? What sort of heater does she have?

E.ON_Company_Representative

This kinda makes it difficult to justify doesn't it, if you took the daily reads when things were as they were you would be able to see for your self where the electricity was being used.

For example you'd be able to take the reads on the monday and see that 54 kWh had been used and you would know exactly what was used in these 24 hours.

Did you speak with the consumption team at E.ON? They will go through your appliances with you and help you discover how much each item will use, this would establish if your appliances are using this amount of electricity each day, if not it may highlight a meter fault.

Another option is to ensure you are using the E7 time period to it's full potential, this requires (depending on area) around over 30% of your total usage on the night rate to benefit financially. Double check you are on an E7 tariff if this is the case as you can have a two rate meter and only have a single rate tariff.

On the flip side, if your using well below the 30% (again depending on area)you would be better on a single rate tariff, ask E.ON to check this.

Finally the Energy Efficiency team at E.ON are available to offer advice and assitance with reducing energy usage and in turn lowering your bills. :j

Brian

ToryDenton_3

We have gas central heating the electric floor was put down because its a kitchen/diner so a big room for 1 radiator to heat. The flooring comes on at 5am during ec 7 time and stays on an hour or when it reaches 20 which is normally quicker. The gas is on two hours a day

I took the readings after I had turned appliances off after speaking to the transpose team at Eon they told me what I needed to put off etc they didn't say take reading with all appliances on.

I shall check the tariff the floor and washing and ironing or a roast is done on economy 7 at 4am so I think I am using it well

I appreciate everyone's help think I better try and save for a meter check or maybe I shall switch everything back on and see what the consupmtion is thanks for replies

NowThenAgain

In your situation I'd be tempted to blame the mother in law.

An electric heater could easily draw 3 KW so if she had it on for 6 hours per day it would total 18 KWH and make the 23 KWH you state realistic. Interrogate her about her heater usage..

Magentasue

NowThenAgain wrote: »

In your situation I'd be tempted to blame the mother in law.

An electric heater could easily draw 3 KW so if she had it on for 6 hours per day it would total 18 KWH and make the 23 KWH you state realistic. Interrogate her about her heater usage..

OP has said MIL only uses 5kwh a day but hasn't said how this figure was calculated.

mrcow

NowThenAgain wrote: »

In your situation I'd be tempted to blame the mother in law.

An electric heater could easily draw 3 KW so if she had it on for 6 hours per day it would total 18 KWH and make the 23 KWH you state realistic. Interrogate her about her heater usage..

I agree. Get her a blanket and a couple of cardigans - it's cheaper.