Life after bankruptcy?

ani_26

Ooer missus, you are all getting me confused

Hi kerri :hello:


This is supposed to be a quickie as i do actually have to go to work, today.


Update on meter watch.

I've used one more unit of leccy between 10.00pm and 5.00 am, which should techically have cost 4.98p.The only drain of leccy has been one tv on stanby. I've had several elctrical appliances running for an hour now, washing machine, tv, ironed my suit, kettle, computer, and i heat the water for an hour a day. So far i've used 6 units off two meter readings. I've now discovered there is a third, ( which accounts for 3 of the units ), so there are 3 different readings.

Anyway, thats 6 units @ 4.98p which = just under 30p for the days chores. I'm about to switch everything off for the day, now.

So far i've used 30p's worth of leccy yesterday, and 30p's worth today, ( and done my washing etc ). Its a revelation to discover how little i'm actually spending on leccy, and maybe everyone would benefit from being on " utility watch " for a day or two.

In fact i was looking out the window at the house across the road the other day, and they always have every room in the house on. Its like bpool illuminations, and i actually thought, i wonder how much their electricity bill is?

I was always taught if your'e not using it, switch it off. Apart from anything else, its a waste of energy. I know how careful i am with my use of energy, ( apart from the plants ),:p The only trouble is - you are guilty until proven innocent.


Must dash, have a good day everyone :A

miggy

Yay to work today! :beer:

ani_26 wrote: »

I've had several elctrical appliances running for an hour now, washing machine, tv, ironed my suit, kettle, computer

Ani, I know you're thorough, but ironing the kettle and computer...?

I would imagine your usage is about as low as you can get it, certainly nothing that would justify a sky-high bill. I'll be interested to see how future day-time readings come out.

Might it be worth checking with neighbours in case they have ever heard of high bills in the property before or have had any suspicions about previous inhabitents? I wonder whether someone might have tried to tamper with the meters then tried to put it back to hide their tracks? A long shot but you never know what information might be out there. We should have heard warning bells when we found from neighbours that the people before us in this house did their own wiring. In those days it was legal but when we had it checked it could also have been lethal, and we'd been living with it a fair while by then.

I probably won't see you till tomorrow as I'm working tonight: hope work goes well.

ani_26

OMG Amy Winehouse has died

What a waste of talent

ani_26

Just announced on the news. That's so sad. What a waste of musical talent


Kerri, i'm sorry , i was in a rush this morning and forgot. I will delete one message.


Miggy you are right of course. I don't even put lights on. Theres no need with the tv on. There are always candles. My use of everything is as frugal as it gets.


Just had the oven on. Used another one unit, and spent another 14p on electricity. Ultimately i'm worried, though, because even though i know i use very little leccy, the fact is there is little you can do against an electricity giant who says you owe them money you don't. The general concensus is from people i've spoken to, is that as they say i've used the electricity, i'll have to pay. Chocolate buttons anyone?

I know for sure , but how do i prove it? I've used around 75p's worth of leccy in almost two days now, and i've actively used more leccy than i normally do, to monitor the units. Maybe a wander over to the utilities board? Life is one constant yeargh.

kerri_gt

Have just sent you the pm Ani. x

Personally, if you need to argue the case with the elec co, I would state to them exactly how much you use per day based on what you have been monitoring for the past few days, plus request exactly how they managed to calcualte out this £2k that is owed and see if they can quantify exactly how they can take the leap from what's been monitored over the past few days to the ludicrous amount they want to charge you.

If it comes to it, I would challenge them saying there is no way you're prepared to pay that amount as it's defacto wrong, incorrect, ludicrous and just plain inaccurate. I'd suggest it's not so much about you proving you haven't used it, its them needing to prove you have - they're the ones who want the money - swines!

It's a total pain in the 'arris though - really does seem one thing after another for you xx

ani_26

Day three on meter watch. One more unit overnight, in a six hour period. Of course this doesn't mean to say one unit has been used. It could have been near the turn. Thats one unit at 4.98p. I've put the washing machine on again, ( i don't normally wash everyday ), and the water heating, but don't expect to use more than one unit, at worst, so another 4.98p? With a 2 day period coming to a close, its looking like i use 2 ish daytime units and 2ish night time units a day, at worst, apart from the heating which has been on occasionally on the nightime tariff, in the winter. Its not like i'm not aware and taking full advantage of the cheaper tariff. In real terms, the electricity is costing 50p a day, at the moment? Is there something seriously wrong with my maths? I don't know what i can do to reduce the cost.The only items on between 12.00 and 6.00 am were the fridge, i've forgotten about my digtal bedside clock which uses electricity, and the tv was on for a short time, as was my computer which i was using until midnight, which is unusual. I've forgotten, i have all energy saving lightbulbs, too. I don't leave things on standby, i switch them off at the mains. I already knew they use a fair amount of leccy, but was shocked to learn on friday, its actually 90% electricity your tv uses whilst on standby. I knew it was substantial, which is why i always switch off. Not that one tv is going to cost £1500? I must go and switch everything off.

I don't know what to do. I just don't know what to do.

MatyMoo

So it sounds as though there is something seriously wrong with the bill if your meter watch is accurate.......

.....or there is something very spooky going on.

.....or the power company are talking out of their ear holes.

Although I am sure you are doing everything possible already is it worth sticking a post on the Utilities Board to see if they have any suggestions or, maybe, someone with experience of this type of issue and how to fight the ridiculous bill.

ani_26

Thanks maty xx

I've had enough now, and i'm having a break from trying to do someone else's job. I've established what i think the bill should be, at worst, although i still can't work out how i've used 12547 night time units, and 1083 day time units.

I've just spent the best part of twelve hours trying to work out where they get their figures from. I've done an online calculation with what i think were the readings when i moved in, and this indicates an actual bill of £778.85 over the last 10 months. Which would mean i'm approx £478.85 in arrears and not £1573.82 as they state.

I've found a few useful threads along the way, an online calculator, ( which is incorrect ), and the website of the ombudsman.

There is little else i can do until tomorrow, which doesn't do anything to alleviate the stress, except remain on meter watch.

Almost up to 48 hours, now. Thats 2 days. I've used 4 daytime units and 8 night time units. Thats 2 daytime units per day, and 4 night time units, respectively. I've used more leccy than i usually would, for analysis. The daytime units haven't moved since 18.00 yesterday evening, when i put the oven on, for 30 mins.


Yes, i've got the computer on, but it is seemingly not using huge amounts of energy, in fact, no energy.

miggy

I don't know how I got the idea but I thought your day time and night time meters had been mixed up so everything you thought was on the lower rate was in fact on the main rate?

Sooooooooorrrrrryyy... :doh: I don't do great line in brain cells, doing nights is just an excuse, anything involving numbers taxes me greatly.

Any chance something very strange is wired into your system? The neighbour's heated swimming pool or possibly the street lighting (apparently it's been known for someone to run an appliance off the street lighting so I wondered in my delirium whether the reverse can happen).

Anyway it's clear from your readings that the crazy bill is just that.

Maybe I will get you a hay box for Christmas.

ani_26

I only have one meter, with various readings, and i thought they were mixed up at first, but on reflection, i realise they aren't.

2 units used today, but i used the hob. I didn't have a shower, which is something i always have, everyday, but on the other hand, what is the point? Might as well save money. I DO feel in need of a shower, though. Another 2 units used = another 28.30p. Its laughable, or it would be if i didn't have to find nearly £1600 from somewhere.


Today is one of those days when the concrete block is closing down on the top of my head again. Something i actually haven't felt for a while.

Money makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round....................

Well. It does if you have it.


There must be more to life than this.