£3,000+ Electricity Charges

wyebird

:eek: We had a new meter installed in 2007, bills we received after that seemed much lower than before - we were previously on economy 7, but were advised that this was unwise as we have gas heating, cooker and water.

Anyway, they came to read it about a year ago and afterwards rang up concerned that the reading was incorrect, we read it and advised them. Then we had regular letters saying they were looking into our complaint and would contact us shortly (we hadn't made a complaint so were a bit confused). Anyway we have now had a bill for £3,600 adjusted down to £1200 because they hadn't read the meter properly ??

This has frightened us into looking at our electricity usgage and we have borrowed a meter to test it, which seems to show a constant 200w usage when nothing is on (apart from the meter itself). Also it seems to spike to to 1.5 kw every now and then for no apparent reason. Why would this happen?
We have one electric heater which is used overnight in the winter, we have converted our garage to a room for DD when she came back from uni and it is detached from the house so we can't put a gas rad in there. This is heavy on electricity, but I cannot imagine the whole of the problem. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cheaper alternative?

Thanks for any help

markharding557

Are you sure that no heaters were on,intermittent spikes of 1.5kw would suggest a thermostat controlled heater

Fire_Fox

How much electricity have you used since 2007 in KWH? When in 2007 was the meter changed? How do you know everything was off, did you use the circuit breaker? What rating is the electric heater in KW and how many hours per day/ days per years is it used? What else do you have that is heavy on electric - power shower, tumble dryer?

wyebird

markharding557 wrote: »

Are you sure that no heaters were on,intermittent spikes of 1.5kw would suggest a thermostat controlled heater

There is only one heater in the garage and we now turn off all power to the garage during the day.

The gas CH boiler cuts in and out, but that doesn't seem to tie in with the jump.

thanks

wyebird

Fire_Fox wrote: »

How much electricity have you used since 2007 in KWH? When in 2007 was the meter changed? How do you know everything was off, did you use the circuit breaker? What rating is the electric heater in KW and how many hours per day/ days per years is it used? What else do you have that is heavy on electric - power shower, tumble dryer?

I will have a look at the statement and try and get that info from it. I will check the rating on the heater, we have just got a new one tho' (1 KW I think?). Probabaly on 8 hours a day at the mo as has been so cold, but less autumn and spring and not at all May through to October.
Yes, one kettle shower (electric water heating) and one power shower(gas water heating), although try to encourage quick in and out as water meter. Our water bills are ok (thank god).
Yes there is a tumble drier, obviously trying not to use now!

Thanks

macman

200W is perfectly consistent with background usage-fridge, freezer, clocks on various appliances etc. My house ticks over at around 300W when nothing much on.

NeverInDebt

Mine uses around 180w on a night with a couple of pvrs, tv's on standby and two freezers on

markharding557

Turn everything off including freezers and anything on standby.
there should be no current flowing then,if there is then find where it is going