EDF Electricity DO I HAVE A FAULTY METER?

UkMark_2

Over the last 18 months I have noticed that our Electricity Bill has increased very rapidly.

We (2 adults and 1 child aged 5) live in a 3 bed terrace house with a very old elecrical meter (Iskra E89E2) which was last certified on 02/96.

We have gas central heating (Condensing Combi Boiler) so no electric heaters are used.

The TV is on quite alot as either myself or my partner is at home in the daytime.

My laptop is on alot due to work etc.

We have just received our latest electric bill and after having a closer look it seems our units we use per day compared to the same period last year has jumped from 17 units to 28 units, a jump of 11 units!!.

Nothing has changed in the house over the last 12 months to justify that increase.

Our monthy payment on our latest bill has increased from £40pm to now £90 pm

Does this amount of units per day used (28 units average) sound right for our circumstances?
Why would our quarter this year increase so dramatically from the same quarter last year?

Please can somebody help with ideas of what I can do.

Many thanks

Mark

Mrs_Thrify

Hi Mark, everyone is noticing an increase in fuel bills.

The bill you have maybe correct if you are not being thrifty. I would begin with phoning your company and asking if you are on the cheapest taraff?

Next turn down the heating. Anything that requires heat - fires, CH, kettle, toaster, cooker. All eats electric.

The other thing you can do to save on fuel bills is to insulate! Walls, loft, lined curtains, block as many drafts as poss from doors, letterbox, etc.

Julie

markharding557

Are you using electric heaters or immersion?

spiro

markharding557 wrote: »

Are you using electric heaters or immersion?

"We have gas central heating (Condensing Combi Boiler) so no electric heaters are used."

notbritishgas

In the 2 periods you have compared, ie last year and this year, have any of the readings been estimated. It is possible that some of last years were estimated low and now this year an actual reading has rectified things.
Having said that your usage does seem high for a property with gas heating, "we" are not frugal with the tumble drier and our daily use is about 11kwh in winter, summer slightly less.

JennyR68

Might be an idea to get a plug in monitor so you can check what your using against the meter. As said it does sound quite high if it doesn't involve heating or water. Do you have an electric shower? tumble dryer?

spiro

UkMark wrote: »

We (2 adults and 1 child aged 5) live in a 3 bed terrace house with a very old elecrical meter (Iskra E89E2) which was last certified on 02/96.

The TV is on quite alot as either myself or my partner is at home in the daytime.

My laptop is on alot due to work etc.

1) The Iskra E89E2 has a certification life of 15 years so it shoud be re-certified or replaced by the end of 2011.
2) Last year were one of you home every day, if not this will have resulted in an increase in usage?
3) Suggest you read you meter daily or weekly to see how you useage varies by day/week. This may help identify if the increase is constant (every day/week) or if there are peaks.

maxmycardagain

first of all, next time you can, switch off everything by the main switch on your fuse/trip/household distribution board, take a meter reading, 1 hour later read it again, it shouldnt have changed, if it has then leave it another hour (2 total) and take another reading, you should tell your supplier the results

and switch back on before the freezer defrosts

UkMark_2

spiro wrote: »

1) The Iskra E89E2 has a certification life of 15 years so it shoud be re-certified or replaced by the end of 2011.
2) Last year were one of you home every day, if not this will have resulted in an increase in usage?
3) Suggest you read you meter daily or weekly to see how you useage varies by day/week. This may help identify if the increase is constant (every day/week) or if there are peaks.

I took a reading on Tuesday @ 9.30am and another on Wednesday @ 9.30am the meter said we had used 32 Units in that 24hr period. In that period we did not use the tumble dryer at all but the electrical oven was on for 1hr and the dishwasher was used for about 2 hrs.

Does these seem high???

spiro

You need to do this fopr several days and on each day note if you have used things like oven, dishwasher, tumble drier etc. Ideally you want a day or 2 when you only use your 'base load' (tv, fridge freezer etc) to see what you are usuing every day of the week. This will then indicate if its the 'base load' or other appliances that is using your load.

mattcanary

Your electric meter really isn't that old - plenty of people have electric mketers dating back to the 1960s (old "dial" meters)