HELP - Block of Apartments - PAYING TOO MUCH??

becsxxx

Can someone please help tell me if I'm paying too much for my electricity and/or help me cut down!

Last bill £182.15 for the quarter (Nov - Jan)

I live in a two bedroom flat where 2 people live and think this is excessive!

I am supplied by Powergen. However, I live in a large block of apartments and am not sure if it's possible for me to switch. Does anyone know anything about this?

I have electric heaters, however, I do not set these to a timer - I just switch them on when needed - and I do try not to use them too much!

Apart from that I can't think of anything I do that would make my bill so big! Any help much appreciated. :cheesy:

chmmy

Have you checked if your units used were estimates or actual meter reads? £60 per month is higher than what we're paying but you are probably not paying out a large monthly gas bill on top of that? Electric heaters can be really expensive to run, also do you use a tumble drier, dishwasher, or electric shower as these are all electric hungry and will bump up your bill if used a lot.

I assume you can switch as no pipes/wires need to be changed, just paperwork.

becsxxx

No, no gas as well, so suppose that might be the difference.

Did have an estimated bill at £80 for a quarter tho, and now I'm on actual readings it's £180!!!

have a washer/dryer (but v rarely use it for drying) and dishwasher, so will try to cut down on using them.

Block is about 100 apartments, and were only built 2 years ago. I am sure somewhere it said electric was only suprised by Poweren, but I'd love to change if possible!!!

blossom30

Hi Becks, Your bill does seem a bit excessive, I would look at changing supplier as legally, you are entitled to do this if it is your property. Someone on the utilities board posted a link to a Tesco website that did calculations to find the best supplier for you, I tried this and London Energy came up and there was a saving of £156 a year. I would shop around if I were you. Good luck

MajorR

HI Becsxx i've got almost the identical problem, iv'e moved properties from a 1bed flat to another and my bills have gone from £100 a quarter to £300! I've spoken to energywatch and energy efficiency (you might wanna call them too) and they both said ask Npower to investigate. But Npower they happy enough and are blaming it on the heater we have now. So i dont know what to do next...............

sportbeth

If it helps you to compare, I live in a two bedroom flat with gas heating and water, but I use elect for cooking, washing machine and tumble dryer. Bill for last quarter was £78 and that was an actual reading.

lizzie666

Having an all electric flat is the most expensive way of heating. (but cheaper for the builders as they don't need to install gas pipes)
If you have storage heaters, make sure you know how to work them properly as mis-use can cost you lots. they store the heat up overnight and release it during the day. (do you have a 2 rate meter? if you don't then you need to have it changed this is done for free but specify that you need the heating connecting also).
this means that you pay less for electricity used at night (usually between 12 - 7 am but check)
so set any washing machines and dishwashers to go on during those hours.
Any form of electric heater will send your bills through the roof.
make sure your hot water is on a timer.
( remember that the bill you received is gonna be the most expensive anyway as it covers the winter - short cold days)
you are looking at about £50-£65 a month roughly as usage goes up in winter and down in summer.
Always read your meter. Every month.
you can change suppliers free of charge. you need to know how much you use before you switch.best thing to do is read your meter every month for 2 months then go to one of the useful links about switching supplier.
hope this helps

lizzie666

PS.
As long as YOU pay the bills you are intitled to switch. make sure you have access to your meter. if it is not in your flat and in a communal area - make sure you know for sure which meter is yours and that you have access to it. If you don't then the chances of the meter man having a key are pretty slim.

The only way to do this is to basically turn the main switch in your flat off. so when you look at the meters.....yours is the one not moving round!