Electricity Bill HELP!!!!!

asmalec

Our monthly direct debits have just gone up to £170!!! Me and my husband live in a three bed semi, with single glazing and minimal loft insulation. We have no gas and are on a heatwise tariff because we have storage heaters. Our water heater does not work so for hot water we use the immersion heater and with a baby on the way in November we can't afford these bills anymore. Can anyone help or suggest some money saving ideas which don't cost anything. Also can we get free insulation with child tax credits?

OUr latest bill looked like this

Day primary units used 136 kWh at 32.52p each 44.23

Day

secondary units used 971 kWh at 12.84p each 124.68

Night units used 114 kWh at 4.69p each 5.35
Boost units used 0 kWh at 13.58p each 0.00
Afternoon units used 498 kWh at 6.05p each 30.13
Night/ Evening units used 800 kWh at 6.05p each 48.40

Standing Charge 55 days at 9.54p per day

plus.. because of a change of rate

Day primary units used 288 kWh at 30.89p each 88.96
Day

secondary units used 2024 kWh at 12.33p each 249.56

Night units used 238 kWh at 4.58p each 10.90
Boost units used 0 kWh at 13.04p each 0.00
Afternoon units used 1041 kWh at 5.81p each 60.48
Night/ Evening units used 1670 kWh at 5.81p each 97.03

Standing Charge 117 days at 9.16p per day

vicshippers

What did it go up from?

Call and speak to the provider and see if they can tell you if anything has changed since your last bill.

asmalec

It was prevously £148 and a year ago it was £129. It seems astronomical for just the two of us!

PNPSUKNET

immersion heater , how long is this on for?

staffie1

The prices look high. My Electricity (Npower) is charged at 11.53p (Day) and 5.14p (Night). My monthly DD has also increased by about 200% but it adds up correctly. It shows you on the bill how they arrive at the monthly payment amount. Fuel prices are very high and will continue to rise.

I think you need to look at ways of economising on your usage. You also admit that you only have single glazed windows and minimal insulation so you need to take that into consideration.

asmalec

we use the immersion for about 1 hour each week, the water heater is not currently attached to the heatwise meter so this is something I will be looking into.

molerat

Are you in private rented / council or own home ? There are loads of grants available for loft insulation but if in rented I would push landlord to pay. Cheap polythene double glazing can be applied. Not pretty but very effective.

vicshippers

I agree with Staffie - single glazed windows and miniml insulation aren't helping.

£20 a month increase isn't surprising when energy prices are rising generally. If it had gone from £70 a month to £170 then I would say that something is wrong.