Strange Jump in bill, Can anyone advice what I should do?

Terrylw1

New meters tend to start on 00000 but not always. Don't worry about that part, because as long as you get the correct reads, any previous consumption is for someone else. Builders for instance can be using a meter before you move in but Suppliers set them accounts up like you so don't get hammered for their use if they are not using gennies.

Tempest501

Terrylw1 wrote: »

New meters tend to start on 00000 but not always. Don't worry about that part, because as long as you get the correct reads, any previous consumption is for someone else. Builders for instance can be using a meter before you move in but Suppliers set them accounts up like you so don't get hammered for their use if they are not using gennies.

Well just got back and they havent done another reading for us as promised surprise surprise, there bloody useless here. And to think my Wife wanted to buy this place lol

I just hope it gets sorted, do you guys agree that last reading they gave seems a bit excessive?

Terrylw1

Well, unless you have starting using a lot more heating or appliances, yes.

You've gone from 14.79 units per day (488 / 33 days) to 37.76 (1850 / 49 days).

If your usage has been constant, then it's most likely a reading issue. You need to be there in my opinion, so you know they haven't cobbled it up again.

Tempest501

Ok I am seriously worried now. They did another reading today for us and this shows that we have used 139 units in two days.

I am seriously frightened now to be honest and would love it if someone can help me, with what I should do.

If it carries on like this We will have used 2000 units in a month which is roughly 200 quid. The heating is only on 5 hours a day.

They read on 20 oct 22207 and today 22346.

Im scared as hell about this...

Terrylw1

I wouldn't even entertain these reads unless you see them. You are now on 69.5 units per day!

If your consumption is that high and your usage is the same, they are either taking them off incorrect meters, others are wired to your supply in error, or your tails are connected to wrong meter and the other user is a very high user (but this part doesn't feel right to me).

So, get in there and turn everything off in your flat. If the meter is still moving, someone has tampered or someone is wired up to your meter and you are wired to a different meter (so the builders numbered the meter tails wrong) or you could have other things attached that shouldn't be e.g. communal lighting.

Eitherway, your management company don't appear to be helping.

Tempest501

Terrylw1 wrote: »

I wouldn't even entertain these reads unless you see them. You are now on 69.5 units per day!

If your consumption is that high and your usage is the same, they are either taking them off incorrect meters, others are wired to your supply in error, or your tails are connected to wrong meter and the other user is a very high user (but this part doesn't feel right to me).

So, get in there and turn everything off in your flat. If the meter is still moving, someone has tampered or someone is wired up to your meter and you are wired to a different meter (so the builders numbered the meter tails wrong) or you could have other things attached that shouldn't be e.g. communal lighting.

Eitherway, your management company don't appear to be helping.

Thank you for the advice, this might sound like a daft question. If I turn everything off electric wise and get them to let us see meter should it be still completely? Sorry if this is a daft question I am just unsure on how meters and such things work.

macman

Yes, it should then stop moving if you trip the main switch at the CU. Then get someone to switch a kettle on and off while you watch, and you will see it leap into action!
Regardless of anything that has been said above, if you have come from a property with gas CH then you will be in for a shock even if the readings are correct. Electric heating is around 2 to 3 times more expensive than gas (though it is more efficient).

Terrylw1

Yes, if you give it 10 mins the red dials will stop moving.

Then after that if it's still moving, it's not your meter or you have other appliances you need to track down.

Using a kettle will then make it start again. This is recommended incase your have a neighbour wired to your meter and they are out hence not using anything.

Tempest501

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Yes, if you give it 10 mins the red dials will stop moving.

Then after that if it's still moving, it's not your meter or you have other appliances you need to track down.

Using a kettle will then make it start again. This is recommended incase your have a neighbour wired to your meter and they are out hence not using anything.

Ty so much for all the advie my wife is at home next week so she is going to try adn get somewhere with this.

Will we need to test it when our neighbours ar in too is that what you mean?

Terrylw1

You don't need to have your neighbours there for the checks.

By switching everything off it will show you if there are other things attached to your meter. If your meter is really your neighbours, it would keep moving if they were in using elec.

If it kept moving it could also be due to say communal lighting/heating being wired to your meter but you couldn't know that without everyone having all their elec off or checking the wiring side.

The kettle test then proves that you can get the meter moving again.

It is possible that your wiring is shared with other properties but that would come after you checked all this but that would require someine checking whats wired to your fusebox.

Prove which meter is which first and get the reads to check it's not a simple matter of messed up agency reads.