Gas & Electric - Do I Have A Problem???

surflou

Hi all

I have a question here, we have recently moved house from a 3 bedroom dorma bungalow to a much smaller 2 bedroom bungalow, the council tax band is lower etc and we should technically not be using much gas and electric here.

Before we moved our final G&E bill with E-On was £816, that one was a shock but not unexpected as we tended to keep our heating on a lot over winter and the electric too. But we moved into a house that has doors (whereas our other house didn't), and we made changes so that the bill wouldn't be as high next time.

We barely ever have the heating on and when we do its only for an hour at a time, we only have the hot water on once every couple of days and again, only for an hour or so at a time. We are careful to turn off lights when we don't use them, though our daughter gets scared at night so we have the hall light on over night, but it is off in the day. Our TV is on most days for a lot of the day and we have the usual electronics, Sky +, a PS3, DVD player etc. WE are careful not to fill our kettle when boiling it only for a cup or two of tea or coffee and overall we are SO careful with our G&E so that we don't get massive bills in.

However, I have just spoken to E-On and they have just given me the total for our first bill here in the smaller place since moving here, they said it was £162.00 for LESS than 2 months, how is that right??? When I joined they told me it would be £70 for BOTH utilities every 2 months.

Are E-On the wrong people to go with as far as G&E are concerned?

Can anyone help me at all? They are looking at the meter readings over the next 3 days to see if there is a problem but other than that, should we get meters maybe? Pay for it as we go along?

Thanks.

JasX

Which are you using more of? first work out if its your gas or electricity thats raking up the excessive costs.

I hope the hall light thats on all night is a low wattage low energy bulb?

Are all your electronics turned off at the mains rather than left on standby (except perhaps the Sky+ that might need to be available to record)? do you have an excess of phone chargers or anything else left on and plugged in?

Do you have any electric heating (immersion heater maybe?) thats been inadvertently left on?

If gas is the culpret scrutinise your gas central heating temperatures and timers to get it as low as possible for as little time as possible.

how many kWH of each fuel did you use over 2 months, maybe you can use that for a 'very' rough annual estimate for use in comparison sites to check you're on a vaguely competative tariff (ie not the standard one at any rate, Eon or otherwise)


Is your bill based on accurate actual readings (from when you moved in + what it reads now)

Pincher

So, your tariff is based on how many hours you use the heating, and your daughter's sleeping habits.

The rest of us have meters readings to work out our bills from.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi surflou

I'd agree with Jas; make sure the amount we have told you is based on accurate meter readings.

If it is, it is likely you will have used the energy. In this case, you need to look at ways of both reducing the amount of energy used and making sure you are on the most competitive tariff, either with us or with another supplier.

Pop your details on to one of the comparison sites. This will show how we stack up against the other providers.

Make sure you are on the best tariff for your circumstances. There are extra discounts available for paying with a Monthly Direct Debit and managing your account online.

Just be careful about changing tariff if you later want to switch supplier. Some of our tariffs carry cancellation fees, so I would avoid these if you want to switch.

We can also help you reduce your ongoing usage. Have a word with our Energy Efficiency team. Give them a list of your appliances and they will advise ways you might cut back.

Ask them for a copy of a booklet called '100 ways to save money by saving energy.' It's free and contains lots of useful advice.

Have a look at our website, particularly the interactive house and energy saving advice section. More good tips here.

Hope this is useful surflou. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc

surflou

Thanks Malc and Jas - Pincher, you're really helpful... thanks, I hope I'm not in a car accident and you're the only one who passes by!

I have taken readings for today, will do the same tomorrow and Wednesday and call E-On with them...

I also want to get the moving readings from them... I don't think its much higher if memory serves.

renegade

Pincher wrote: »

So, your tariff is based on how many hours you use the heating, and your daughter's sleeping habits.

The rest of us have meters readings to work out our bills from.

Sarcasm as usual- don't you ever have anything constructive to say to people who are asking for help?

surflou

renegade wrote: »

Sarcasm as usual- don't you ever have anything constructive to say to people who are asking for help?

Ah, so it's the norm then? Well I definately hope I'm never in a car accident and he's the only one who passes by lol!

Thanks again to everyone else!

Pincher

I think you'll find I diagnosed the problem, weeded out the irrelevant information, and pointed to the correct approach to solve it in two sentences. With other people, they'll listen to you waffle on about daughters and why are petrol prices so shocking, while you are bleeding to death. I would just ignore you and call an ambulance.

surflou

Pincher wrote: »

I think you'll find I diagnosed the problem, weeded out the irrelevant information, and pointed to the correct approach to solve it in two sentences. With other people, they'll listen to you waffle on about daughters and why are petrol prices so shocking, while you are bleeding to death. I would just ignore you and call an ambulance.

Uh huh... plum.